The BMRCL has proposed to build three additional metro lines in the city.
These lines would span approximately 77 kilometres and have the objective of expanding the metro network to cover significant areas within the city as well as its outskirts.
The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has put forth a proposal for the construction of three additional metro lines that would span approximately 77 km — intended to add significant areas of both the city and its outskirts to the metro network.
BMRCL Managing Director Anjum Parwez shared this proposal during a review meeting with Bengaluru Development Minister D K Shivakumar on 6 June.
As per The New Indian Express report, the proposal includes a metro line from Whitefield to Hoskote via Katamanallur gate spanning 17 km.
Additionally, an Inner Ring Road for 35-km which would run as a circle inside the Outer Ring Road and a 25-km line from Old Airport Road via Marthahalli underpass to Varthur and then Kadugodi have been proposed by Parwez during the meeting.
He further made presentations on the ongoing projects of BMRCL.
Parwez stated, as part of Phase-3, proposals for the JP Nagar to Kempapura and Hosahalli to Kadabgere Metro lines have been submitted to the government for approval.
Furthermore, the detailed project report (DPR) for Phase-3A — which aims to connect Sarjapur and Hebbal, is currently being prepared.
Progress On Baiyappanahalli-K R Puram Metro Link
The BMRCL is making preparations to conduct trail runs on the 2 km long Baiyappanahalli-K R Puram Metro stretch starting from the first week of July and this metro segment may start operations by 15 July.
The completion of this ‘missing link’ on the Purple Line was delayed due to the requirement of installing an open web girder above the Indian Railways tracks near Baiyappanahalli by BMRCL, as per earlier reports.
Parvez said, “We are targeting to start the trial runs from July first week and planning to start the operations by mid-July. Although the track work is completed, the major signalling work and other parallel works are pending. Following this, the metro rail safety commissioner should inspect the stretch,” reports Indian Express.
The link, which includes a stop at Jyothinagar, will serve as a connection between the Kengeri-Byappanahalli corridor and the recently launched Whitefield-KR Puram stretch.
Once the stretch opens, it will pave the way for Whitefield, the bustling tech and residential hub of Bengaluru, to be connected to the rest of the city.
Tracking Updates On Ongoing Metro Work
Bengaluru now has 69.66 km of operational metro network with 63 stations — the second largest in the country after Delhi.
The Deputy Chief Minister announced that three additional corridors are scheduled to become operational this year, as discussed during the review meeting.
This includes the Kengeri-Challaghatta section, which is expected to be completed by August-September 2023.
Similarly, the Nagasandra-Madavara (BIEC) section is expected to be ready by September-October 2023.
The new route connecting Bommasandra to RV Road is projected to be completed by October-November 2023.
Furthermore, the KR Puram-Kempegowda International Airport stretch is scheduled for completion by June 2026, with the Central Silk Board-KR Puram (Outer Ring Road route) also expected to be finished around the same time.
Although the deadline for the Kalena Agrahara station (Gottigere)-Nagawara section was not updated, according to sources it is likely to be completed in 2025.
