Karnataka Govt to launch four new metro corridors in Bangalore Metro Phase 3

Bengaluru, India (Metro Rail Today): The Government of Karnataka is planning to introduce four new metro corridors besides three approved metro corridors under Phase 3 of Bangalore Metro Rail Project. This was revealed in an action plan prepared by the state government to make Karnataka a $1 trillion economy by 2032.

"Four new Metro lines proposed towards the target of Metro access to every citizen of Bengaluru within 1-2 km of their place of work or residence by 2032,” reads the action plan by the Karnataka department of planning, programme monitoring and statistics and industry body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industries (FICCI). Currently, 40 of 51 stations fall under Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits.

It has proposed two new routes and two extensions as part of Phase 3 of the Namma Metro project, which will cost Rs 27,000 crore. The two new Metro corridors proposed are: Old Airport Rd, from MG Road to Hope Farm via Marathahalli and Whitefield/IT corridor (Underground) (16 Km) at an estimated cost of Rs 9,600 crore and 25 km Nagawara - Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) via Thanisandra / Bharatiya City at an estimated cost of Rs 10,000 crore.

The extension lines are: Whitefield - Katamanallur/Hoskote (6 Km) at a cost of Rs 2,400 crore, extension of Bannerghatta line to Jigani (12 km) at Rs 4,800 crore.

Namma Metro currently has a 56-km network. "The works of Metro rail scheme connecting Central Silk Board Junction to Kempegowda International Airport (58.1 Km) with 30 stations is under progress. There are plans to operationalise a 40.1 km length metro route in the current year," it said.

"Third phase of works relating to the metro network has been proposed in the previous budget. A detailed project report for two corridors (JP Nagar 4th Phase-Kempapura along ORR West and Hosahalli-Kadabagere along Magadi Road) of 44.6 Km length with 31 stations has been submitted to the Central government. The estimated cost is Rs16,328 crore for this project. Work will be taken up after approval from the Government of India,” it said.

The Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) prepared by the state government envisages setting up a 317 km Metro rail network in Bengaluru by 2031.