The feasibility study for South India's first interstate metro project, extending 23 km from Bommasandra to Hosur, is nearing completion despite facing opposition. Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has sought support from Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) for project implementation. The study, conducted by Balaji RailRoad Systems, examines crucial factors like ridership, train types, and station alignments. Though the Tamil Nadu government funded the feasibility report, BMRCL may contribute during the implementation phase. Hosur, a major industrial hub, faces severe traffic congestion, which the metro aims to alleviate.
The feasibility study for the 23 km extension of South India's first interstate metro project, extending from Bommasandra to Hosur in Tamil Nadu, is nearing completion despite facing opposition. Officials from Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) have requested support from the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) to facilitate the project's implementation.
According to sources, Chennai Metro has been working on the feasibility report for this extension since December, after receiving approval from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The study, carried out by Balaji RailRoad Systems, is almost finished. CMRL has requested BMRCL's assistance to finalise the report.
However, BMRCL has expressed limited interest in the issue. Initially, a 20.5 km metro route was planned, but to accommodate a terminal station on the outskirts of Hosur, Tamil Nadu, an additional 2.5 km has been added, bringing the total project length to 23 km. Of this, 12 km will be in Karnataka, while the remaining 11 km will be in Tamil Nadu. The plan includes extending the existing RV Road - Bommasandra Yellow Line to Hosur. As of now, the Tamil Nadu government has covered the entire cost of the feasibility report.
Nonetheless, it is expected that BMRCL may propose funding once the project transitions to the implementation phase. In July, BMRCL issued a tender to Hyderabad-based RV Associates to prepare a feasibility report for extending the metro line to Attibele. This report is anticipated to be completed within the next six months. The feasibility study assesses crucial factors such as train types, estimated ridership, total construction costs, and station alignments.
Hosur, an industrial centre that hosts major companies like Titan, Ashok Leyland, and TVS Motors, along with approximately 2,000 MSMEs, faces significant daily traffic congestion. Residents currently rely on overcrowded buses for their commutes. In contrast, experts argue that the connection between the two states should be established through a network of suburban rail systems, which are primarily suited for inter-city travel, unlike metro rail, which is designed for intra-city transportation.
The Karnataka Rail Infrastructure Development Company (K-RIDE), responsible for the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP), has recently proposed a 23 km corridor connecting the Heelalige area to Hosur, facilitating links to neighbouring cities and towns. State urban transport experts and local organisations have vehemently opposed the extension of the metro to Hosur. They contend that this expansion provides little to no substantial benefit to Bengaluru and may instead create challenges for local industries and entrepreneurs.
In conclusion, while the metro extension to Hosur aims to enhance connectivity, significant opposition and alternative proposals for suburban rail systems suggest a reevaluation of transportation strategies in the region may be necessary to effectively address the needs of both Bengaluru and its neighbouring areas.
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