BJP MP and Yuva Morcha national president Tejasvi Surya has raised concerns to the Karnataka government’s proposed plan for extending the Bengaluru Metro to Tumakuru. Surya objected that the stated should first give preference to complete the existing metro lines within Bengaluru city than stretching into neighbouring areas.
”The government must focus on finishing the pending lines and expanding the network density within Bengaluru itself,” Surya mentioned on Saturday, as quoted by IANS. ”Metro should address intra-city transport needs. For Tumakuru, a suburban rail or RRTS connection would be more appropriate”.
Karnataka government pushes forward with extension plan
Meanwhile, the state government appears to be committed to the Tumakuru extension. A study based on the extension has already been submitted by the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) and is currently been under consideration. The proposal groundwork for this extension was presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during the state Budget of 2024.
According to BMRCL Chief PRO Yashvanth Chouhan, the report underlines a 59.5 kilometre elevated metro corridor from Madavara station to Shira Gate in Tumakuru on the Bengaluru-Pune Highway. A proposal of 25 metro stations has been made along this route. The report also mentions estimated cost for the extension and location of the stations.
The state cabinet will soon consider the feasibility study after which a Deatiled Project Report (DDR) will be prepared and will be sent to the Central government for approval.
Union Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna and who also represents Tumakuru in Parliament, reportedly is in favour of the project. Moreover, senior ministers from Tumakuru like KN Rajanna and G Parameshwara are likely to support the project.
Bengaluru Metro’s Yellow Line is near its launch, and airport extensions are currently been ongoing, the concern has been raised regarding the necessity to expand metro beyond city limits.