Centre Nears Approval For Bengaluru Namma Metro's Phase 3 Corridors

After over a year of awaiting approval, two corridors of Bengaluru's Namma Metro Phase 3 are on the brink of receiving sanction from the Union government, as reported by the media. As per the reports, this development, anticipated before the Lok Sabha elections 2024, is seen as a potential electoral boon for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the city known as India's IT hub.

Initially approved by the Karnataka government in November 2022, Phase 3 of Namma Metro encompasses two corridors totaling 44.6 kilometres: one stretching from JP Nagar 4th Phase to Kempapura along ORR West (32.1 km), and the other from Hosahalli to Kadabagere along Magadi Road (12.5 km).

Pending Union government approval since November 2022, these proposals are now poised for clearance, according to the media reports.

An official from the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) indicated, "The model code of conduct (MCC) for the Lok Sabha polls is expected to come into effect by the first or second week of March 2024. Therefore, we anticipate approval before the MCC is enforced."

Approval for the expansion of the network along ORR West and Magadi Road is anticipated to significantly enhance the public transport system and catalyse growth in the real estate sector in the outskirts of Bengaluru.

However, transportation experts have suggested extending the ORR West corridor from JP Nagar 4th Phase to Central Silk Board to facilitate seamless multi-modal transport integration.

Additionally, the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has stipulated additional conditions for endorsing the Phase 3 corridors. BMRCL has agreed to operate three-coach trains instead of the initially planned six-coach rolling stock.

The 65th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) on 9 February discussed the Bengaluru Metro's Phase 3 corridors alongside Delhi Metro's Rithala-Bawana-Narela-Kundli (Haryana) Metro corridor. A release from the Press Information Bureau emphasised the pivotal role of these projects in nation-building and regional development.

In related developments, Karnataka Governor Thawaar Chand Gehlot highlighted progress on Bengaluru Metro rail projects during a joint session of the state legislature on 12 February, including Phase 2A and 2B, along with the Yellow Line's near-completion status.

As Bengaluru's metro network expands and evolves, stakeholders anticipate transformative impacts on the city's connectivity, mobility, and urban landscape.