Bengaluru: Namma Metro Eyes 129 km Expansion in Phase 4 to Boost Connectivity

Bengaluru’s Namma Metro is gearing up for a major expansion with a proposed 129 km addition to its network in what could be termed as Phase 4.

The move aims to bridge the connectivity gap in far-flung and suburban areas, addressing the lack of sufficient metro links in the city’s core regions, going against the approved Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP), as reported by Deccan Herald.

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has put forward a plan encompassing a new line and extensions of the existing Purple and Green lines in four directions: Bidadi (Mysuru Road), Harohalli (Kanakapura Road), Attibele (Hosur Road), and Kunigal Cross (Tumakuru Road, near Nelamangala).

The proposed new semicircular line would connect areas like Jigani, Anekal, Attibele, Sarjapur, and Varthur, primarily focusing on the city’s east and south.

Surprisingly, none of these suggested lines align with the CMP drafted by BMRCL in 2020, a prerequisite for approval of Phases 2A and 2B. Additionally, most of these routes extend beyond the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits, into areas marked by fragmented growth.

A senior official revealed that BMRCL has sought funds from the state government for a feasibility study on these lines. “The feasibility survey will provide clarity on the necessity of the project, analyzing traffic projections and financial viability,” said the official, acknowledging that CMP-listed lines should have been prioritized.

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, also Bengaluru’s development minister, sought funds from Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for various mega infrastructure projects, including tunnel roads and metro expansions, emphasizing the metro’s crucial role in Bengaluru’s rapid growth.

Notably absent from the CMP, this 129 km corridor might face rejection by the Centre. Rail enthusiast Sanjeev Dyamannavar questions the need for metro extensions to satellite towns, considering the higher cost and primary design for intra-city travel, diverging from the conventional infrastructure plans.