Bengaluru: BMRCL Awards Feasibility Study Contracts For Tumakuru Metro Extension And New Double-Deck Flyovers

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has awarded contracts for feasibility studies to extend the metro to Tumakuru and construct four additional double-deck flyovers under Phases 3 and 3A.

On 29 June, BMRCL selected Hyderabad-based infrastructure consultancy Aarvee Associates Architects Engineers and Consultants Pvt Ltd for these studies.

In February, BMRCL invited open bids for consulting services to assess the feasibility of extending the metro from northern Bengaluru's Madavara to Tumakuru under a public-private partnership.

Initially, the state government planned four extensions (68 km) and one new line for Phase 4. The extensions included Challaghatta-Bidadi (15 km), Silk Institute-Harohalli (24 km), Bommasandra-Attibele (11 km), and Madavara-Kunigal Cross (11 km). The new line was to run from Kalena Agrahara to Kadugodi Tree Park via Jigani, Anekal, Attibele, Sarjapur, and Varthur (68 km).

Later, the government added the Madavara-Tumakuru extension (52.41 km). BMRCL awarded the Tumakuru line contract to Aarvee Associates for Rs 1.25 crore and is still evaluating bids related to the other three extensions and the new line.

The feasibility studies will assess construction costs, traffic surveys, alignment, property acquisition, and potential land acquisition hurdles. Considering the distance between Bengaluru and Tumakuru, a Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) might be considered, featuring semi-high-speed railway lines similar to the one being constructed between Delhi and Meerut. This would result in metro stations being spaced 5-10 km apart.

Based on the feasibility studies, the government will decide whether to approve the proposed metro lines. If both the state and union governments approve, BMRCL will proceed with a Detailed Project Report (DPR), reports Money control.

Separately, Aarvee Associates will study the feasibility of constructing metro flyovers in four corridors. Corridor 1 (29.2 km) will run from JP Nagar 4th Phase to Hebbal, and Corridor 2 (11.45 km) from Hosahalli to Kadabagere, both under Phase 3. Corridor 3 (14 km) will run from Sarjapur to Iblur, and Corridor 4 (2.45 km) from Agara to Koramangala 3rd Block, both under Phase 3A. These double-decker flyovers aim to ease traffic congestion along new metro routes.

BMRCL has already constructed Bengaluru's first metro flyover (3.36 km) from Ragigudda to Silk Board Junction.