Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced plans for two Metro rail projects in Bengaluru with a combined worth of Rs 31,328 crore. The proposed Metro Phase-3 project covers 45 km and a new Metro line is proposed to span 37 km. The Chief Minister aims to expand the Metro network from 70 km to 176 km within the next three years. Siddaramaiah criticized the previous government's failure to implement the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project, which aims to alleviate traffic congestion. He revealed the total allocation for the project and highlighted ongoing work on the airport metro line. The proposals aim to enhance public transportation infrastructure and address the city's mobility needs.
In a significant development, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah unveiled plans for two separate Metro rail projects in Bengaluru with a combined worth of Rs 31,328 crore. During his budget speech in the Legislative Assembly, he revealed that a detailed project report has already been submitted to the Central government for the approval of Metro Phase-3, estimated to cost Rs. 16,328 crore.
The proposed Metro Phase-3 project will cover a distance of 45 km, extending from Kempapura to IP Nagar Fourth Phase and from Hosahalli to Kadabagere, including the western Outer Ring Road line. In addition to this, the Chief Minister announced a fresh proposal to construct a new Metro line spanning 37 km from Hebbal to Sarjapura, estimated to cost Rs 15,000 crore. This proposal will be submitted to the Government of India for approval.
Siddaramaiah emphasized that the expansion of Metro lines would continue in the current year, with new lines being added from Baiyyappanahalli to Krishnarajapura, Kengeri to Challaghatta, Nagasandra to Madawara, and RV Road to Bommasandra. By the end of 2024, a total of 27 km of new lines will be added. Furthermore, the Chief Minister outlined ambitious plans to increase the Metro network from 70 km to 176 km within the next three years, nearly two and a half times the current coverage.
Addressing the issue of the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project, Siddaramaiah criticized the previous government for its failure to implement the project, despite being a self-proclaimed "double engine government." The suburban rail project, aimed at alleviating traffic congestion in Bengaluru City, has remained a mere budget announcement for several years, according to the Chief Minister.
The total allocation for the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project is Rs 15,767 crore, with a Central share of Rs 3,242 crore, State share of Rs 5,087 crore, and a loan component from external sources amounting to Rs 7,438 crore. Siddaramaiah revealed that the Central government has released Rs 500 crore to date for this project, while the state government has released Rs 660 crore. He further stated that the state government has allocated Rs 1,000 crore for the current year.
In addition to the Metro rail projects, Siddaramaiah also highlighted the acceleration of ongoing work on the airport metro line, which is set to be operationalized by 2026. The Chief Minister's proposals aim to improve public transportation infrastructure in Bengaluru and address the city's growing mobility needs.
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