BENGALURU: The state cabinet has approved Namma Metro‘s Phase 3A line from Sarjapur to Hebbal, estimated to cost Rs 28,405 crore. The 36.6km line will have an elevated corridor of 22.1km with 17 stations and a 14.5km underground stretch with 11 stations.
The project will connect the IT hub in east Bengaluru with northern localities.
The line starts with an elevated section in Sarjapur and integrates with the Blue Line (Central Silk Board-Kempegowda International Airport) at Iblur. After reaching Koramangala, it goes underground. At Dairy Circle, the line intersects with the Pink Line (Kalena Agrahara to Nagawara).
The underground line stretches across the central business district (CBD), with stations at Town Hall, KR Circle, Basaveshwara Circle, and Golf Course, among others. In the CBD areas, the operational Purple Line will be integrated with the new line. At Hebbal, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is proposing the construction of a station, providing access to Blue Line and Orange Line (Kempapura to JP Nagar).
The construction of the Metro line from the IT corridor to Hebbal featured in the Comprehensive Mobility Plan-2020. With the state govt’s green light, the Centre will be approached for further approval, including raising loans to implement the project.
Delays dog Metro projects
BMRCL has implemented a 42.3km line under Phase 1. It had a deadline to complete the project in 2012, but because of various factors, the entire line comprising two corridors was fully commissioned only in 2017.
In Phase 2, BMRCL was tasked with the construction of a 72km line with a deadline of 2021. However, to date, only 34.6km of lines have become operational. The inordinate delay in Phase 2 is said to have resulted in a cost escalation from Rs 26,405 crore to Rs 40,614 crore.
Under Phase 2, the 19km Yellow Line from RV Road to Bommasandra is awaiting commercial operations for 1.5 years. BMRCL’s inability to procure Metro coaches in time has resulted in non-utilisation of the line, which links the major IT corridor of Electronics City.
In Phases 2A and B, construction of a 58km line from Central Silk Board to the airport has been undertaken. Recently, the central govt gave final approval for implementing Phase 3 (from Kempapura to JP Nagar and Hosahalli to Kadabagere). The total length of both corridors is 44km. BMRCL is currently conducting a geotechnical survey — a prerequisite for commencing civil construction works.
