Namma Metro Phase 3: Preparations Underway As BMRCL Seeks Rs 1,000 Crore Budget Allocation For Two New Lines

Preparations are underway for the commencement of construction on Namma Metro's Phase 3, as the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has requested over Rs 1,000 crore in the upcoming state budget to initiate work on two new lines as per a report by Deccan Herald.

Phase 3 of Namma Metro will span 44.65 km and will feature two new lines: one from JP Nagar 4th Phase to Kempapura and the other from Hosahalli to Kadabagere.

The first line will traverse the western part of the Outer Ring Road, while the second will run along Magadi Road.

The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Phase 3 was submitted to the central government in November 2022 for approval.

After extensive deliberations, the DPR is expected to be approved by the centre by March, according to multiple sources within the BMRCL.

"The central government typically takes 12-18 months to approve a DPR, so this timeline is not unusual," a reliable source stated.

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To kickstart groundwork activities, the BMRCL has asked the state government to allocate Rs 1,003.47 crore in the upcoming budget for Phase 3.

Regarding the Magadi Road line, where there was a debate previously about reducing train lengths from six to three coaches, a resolution has been reached.

However, all nine stations between Hosahalli and Kadabagere will have standard 135-metre-long platforms.

"We may consider running six-coach trains in the future based on demand," another source mentioned.

Pre-construction activities for the Outer Ring Road line have already commenced, including utility shifting, tree enumeration, and land acquisition.

According to M S Channappagoudar, General Manager of Land Acquisition at BMRCL, properties required for building stations and viaducts between JP Nagar 4th Phase and Mysuru Road have been identified, and documents are being collected from owners.

However, plans for land acquisition for the Nagarabhavi-Kempapura stretch and the Magadi Road line are still being finalised.

The metro viaduct will primarily run along the median strip but will deviate in some areas due to the presence of flyovers and railway lines. Changes in alignment are expected at the Delmia Circle flyover, Deve Gowda Petro Bunk, and the Mysuru Road flyover.

Additionally, the metro line will pass through defense land and skirt the railway line near Yeshwantpur.

"We will require private land for constructing the viaduct in these areas," Channappagoudar explained, adding that land acquisition would commence once the government approves Phase 3 and is estimated to take 6-8 months.

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