In a significant development, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced during the Budget speech that a detailed feasibility report will be prepared for extending the Bengaluru Metro rail network. The proposed extensions include stretching the Metro line from BIEC to Tumkur and connecting Kempegowda International Airport to Devanahalli.
The Chief Minister emphasised that these projects will be executed through a Public-Private Partnership model. The expansion to Tumkur is projected to cover nearly 50 km, while the extension to Devanahalli will span 13 km.
BMRCL phase 2 initiatives
The BIEC station is currently part of the Green line extension, connecting Nagasandra, under the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited’s (BMRCL) phase 2 initiatives. Simultaneously, the Airport line forms a crucial segment of the Blue line, linking the Central Silk Board to Kempegowda International Airport under phase 2B.
Expansion of Namma metro to suburban areas
The government also envisions extending the Metro network to suburban areas like Bidadi, Kanakapura, and Hoskote to enhance Bengaluru’s overall connectivity. However, this proposal faces opposition from Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya, who argues that expanding the Metro beyond the city’s core areas contradicts its purpose.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s budget speech further outlined plans for integrated townships near various cities, including Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Belagavi, KGF, and Tumkur’s Vasanthanarasapura and Bellary. Additionally, he disclosed initiatives to develop Devanahalli, Nelamangala, Hoskote, Doddaballapura, Magadi, and Bidadi as Satellite Townships, emphasizing both road and rail connectivity.
44 km to be added in Bengaluru’s Metro network by March 2025
With an eye on enhancing Bengaluru’s Metro network, Siddaramaiah affirmed the addition of 44 km to the existing 74 km by March 2025. He also highlighted the completion timeline for the Outer Ring Road-Airport road works under the Metro Rail project Phases 2 and 2A, slated to conclude by June 2026.