Aarvee Engineering bags DPR Consultancy Contract for 59.6-km Bengaluru–Tumakuru Metro Extension

Bengaluru, India (Metro Rail Today): In a significant move to expand metro connectivity beyond Bengaluru’s urban limits, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) has awarded a consultancy contract to Aarvee Engineering Consultants Limited for preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed Bengaluru–Tumakuru Metro corridor.

The proposed extension will run from Madavara (BIEC) to Tumakuru, covering a total length of 59.6 km, and is aimed at strengthening regional connectivity while supporting long-term urban and industrial growth along the corridor.

According to project details, the metro corridor will pass through Nelamangala, Dabaspete, and Kyathasandra, with plans for approximately 25 to 27 stations, subject to final technical and feasibility assessments. The alignment is expected to integrate major industrial zones, logistics hubs, and rapidly developing satellite towns between Bengaluru and Tumakuru.

Urban planners believe the corridor could play a strategic role in reducing highway congestion while enabling faster, more reliable public transport for daily commuters and industrial workforce.

Contract Value and Timeline

The DPR consultancy contract has been awarded at a value of ₹1.26 crore (₹1,26,48,550, excluding GST). As per the agreement, Aarvee Engineering Consultants will complete the DPR within a five-month timeframe, highlighting the project’s priority within BMRCL’s future expansion roadmap.

The DPR will comprehensively cover:

• Alignment and station planning

• Ridership assessment and traffic demand forecasting

• Cost estimates and phasing strategy

• Land acquisition requirements

• Funding and implementation models, including PPP feasibility

Competitive Bidding Process

Three consultancy firms had submitted bids for the DPR assignment:

• RITES

• Capital Fortunes

• Aarvee Engineering Consultants Limited

BMRCL opened the bids earlier this week, following which Aarvee Engineering Consultants emerged as the successful bidder after evaluation.

Policy Debate and Government Stand

The proposed long-distance metro extension has triggered debate, with critics questioning the prioritisation of intercity connectivity while several areas within Bengaluru city still await metro coverage.

Responding to these concerns, the Karnataka government has clarified that the Bengaluru–Tumakuru Metro corridor will be considered only under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, thereby limiting the financial burden on the state exchequer.

Home Minister G. Parameshwara has stated that the project is intended to enhance regional mobility, support the growth of satellite towns, and create a balanced urban development framework beyond Bengaluru’s core city limits.

Commenting on the development, Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO, Urban Infra Group, said: “Metro expansion beyond city boundaries reflects a shift toward regional mobility planning. Corridors like Bengaluru–Tumakuru can unlock economic growth, reduce highway dependence, and promote sustainable development—provided they are executed with strong ridership planning and financial prudence.”

The findings of the DPR will be critical in determining the project’s technical feasibility, funding structure, and execution timeline. Based on its recommendations, the Karnataka government and BMRCL will decide whether the corridor is taken up under Phase IV or subsequent phases of Namma Metro.

If implemented, the Bengaluru–Tumakuru Metro extension could become one of India’s longest intercity metro corridors, redefining suburban and regional rail-based mobility in southern India.