Bengaluru Metro Expansion: Phase 3 Corridors Set To Recieve Green Light From Union Government, Here's All About It

After more than a year of receiving approval from the Karnataka government, two corridors of Bengaluru Metro's Phase 3 are poised to receive the Union government's sanction according to a report from MoneyControl.

In November 2022, the Karnataka government greenlit Namma Metro's Phase 3, encompassing two corridors spanning 44.6 kilometres: one running from JP Nagar 4th Phase to Kempapura along ORR West (32.1 km), and the other stretching from Hosahalli to Kadabagere along Magadi Road (12.5 km).

Since November 2022, these proposals have awaited approval from the union government.

According to the same report, the go-ahead for these two corridors is now imminent.

"The model code of conduct (MCC) for the Lok Sabha polls is expected to come into effect by the first or second week of March 2024. Therefore, we anticipate approval before the MCC is enforced," stated a BMRCL official.

Approval for expanding the network along ORR West and Magadi Road is projected to augment the public transport system and stimulate the real estate sector in the outskirts.

However, some transportation experts have advocated extending the ORR West corridor from JP Nagar 4th Phase to Central Silk Board for seamless multi-modal transport integration.

Additionally, the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has imposed supplementary conditions for endorsing the Phase 3 corridors. BMRCL has agreed to MoHUA's stipulation of operating three-coach trains instead of the originally planned six-coach rolling stock.

On 9 February, the 65th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) deliberated on two urban transit metro corridor projects — the Bengaluru Metro's Phase 3 corridors and the Delhi Metro's Rithala-Bawana-Narela-Kundli (Haryana) Metro corridor.

"The implementation of both projects will facilitate multi-modal integration of metro with bus and rail stations, alleviate road congestion, save travel time and fuel costs, ensure reliable operation and performance, and mitigate vehicular emissions and pollution," stated a release from the Press Information Bureau.

"The meeting underscored the pivotal role of these projects in nation-building by integrating various modes of transport, delivering significant socio-economic benefits, and fostering overall regional development," it further elaborated.

Regarding other corridors, Chavan disclosed that the detailed project report (DPR) for the 37-kilometre Sarjapur-Hebbal corridor is undergoing scrutiny and will soon be presented to the state government for approval.

Addressing the joint session of both houses of the state legislature on 12 February, Karnataka Governor Thawaar Chand Gehlot remarked, "Progress is underway on Bengaluru metro rail project Phase 2A — from Central Silk Board to Krishnarajapura (19.75 km) and Phase-2B — Krishnarajapura to Kempegowda International Airport — scheduled for completion by June 2026."

He further noted, "The 19.15 km Yellow Line (RV Road - Bommasandra), including a 3.3 km double-decker model section, has achieved 98 per cent progress, with commissioning slated for July 2024."