Namma Metro, a third phase in the making

Entire Outer Ring Road to be covered in two sections, four additional lines

Enthused by the high ridership on the east-west line of Namma Metro’s first phase, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has a new thought: Why not give the proposed 127-km Metro Phase III some shape, and accelerate the process along with the land acquisition for the 72-km Phase II currently underway?

A basic route network for the third phase has already been worked out. As indicated in a recent presentation by the State Urban Development machinery, the network will cover the entire Outer Ring Road in two sections, besides connecting the lines under the first two phases. The big idea is to bring areas such as Koramangala, Sarjapur Road and HAL into the Metro grid.

One 33-km line will cover the eastern portion of the ORR from Silk Board to Hebbal. The line covering the Ring Road’s western portion will be 31.37-km long. Four additional lines are also on the Phase-III agenda: A 21.31-km line linking Hosakerehalli to ORR at Marathahalli will pass through Old Airport Road, thus bringing Domlur, Konena Agrahara and HAL into the network.

Besides a 8.89-km line from Nice Road to Toll Gate (Magadi Road), the Phase-III network will have a 33-km line from Sarjapur Layout to Yelahanka. This key route will pass through Central College, Palace Guttahalli, Mehkri Circle and Hebbal.

In the process, these lines will interlink with the Phase-I and Phase-II routes and optimise the ridership in the entire Metro network.

An intermediary Phase 2A is also in the pipeline. This is all about a 23.37-km link connecting Nagawara to Kempegowda International Airport. Effectively, this would mean extending the Gottigere to Nagawara line in the Phase-II network.

The completion cost for 72.095-km Phase II has been estimated at Rs 26,405.15 crore. Besides two new lines, the second phase will see the first phase network’s extension from Baiyappahanalli to ITPL, Whitefield; Mysuru Road terminal to Kengeri; Nagasandra to BIEC and Puttenahalli to Anjanapura Township.

A comprehensive picture of the Phase III will emerge once the consultancy firm, RITES completes its Detailed Project Report and feasibility study on the project. This process, initiated two years ago, is likely to be speeded up in the wake of growing public demand for a wider network.