Namma Metro.
Credit: DH Photo/ S K Dinesh
Bengaluru: Namma Metro expects to receive Rs 1,717.62 crore from the union government in 2025-26, of which approximately 70% will be spent on Phase 3, which has received all statutory approvals, sources familiar with the matter said.
However, the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project (BSRP) has been allocated only Rs 350 crore, the same as in 2024-25.
The central allocation for Namma Metro will be far lower than Rs 4,814.58 crore given in 2024-25.
Well-placed sources said that the BMRCL had submitted a lower demand for the next financial year because only Rs 517.62 crore was due from the union government for Phases 2, 2A and 2B, all of which are in advanced stages of construction.
As regards Phase 3, which will span 44.65 km over two lines, civil contract tenders are yet to be floated, the sources noted.
The Union Budget for 2025-26 has allocated Rs 31,239.28 crore for metro projects across the country, up from Rs 21,335.98 crore in the current financial year.
While the city-wise break-up of allocation under the Ministry of Urban Affairs and Housing will be known only after 15 days, sources expressed optimism that the BMRCL would be allocated the entire 1,717.62 crore it had asked for.
Karnataka allocated Rs 1,435 crore for the BMRCL in 2024-25, including Rs 650 crore for Phase 3.
The cost of the 75.06-km Phase 2, over half of which is still under construction, has increased from Rs 30,695 crore to Rs 40,614.27 crore due to civil work delays, higher land requirements, additional trains and other reasons.
The BMRCL has received all the approved external funding (senior debt) of Rs 12,141.14 crore for Phase 2, while the additional cost (Rs 9,919.27 crore) will be mostly borne by the government of Karnataka.
According to Minister of State for Railways V Somanna, Rs 7,564 crore has been allocated for railway projects in Karnataka, compared with Rs 7559 crore in the current financial year.
Sources had expected the Centre to make a higher allocation for the BSRP to facilitate the purchase of 306 coaches for the 149-km project.
The Karnataka cabinet last year approved a plan to buy coaches for Rs 4,270.30 crore, with 50% contribution from the railways.
Railway Infrastructure Development Company Karnataka (K-RIDE), which is implementing the suburban railway project, has prepared tender documents for the coaches but needs approvals from the railways to go ahead, according to sources.
The railways sanctioned Rs 50 crore for the BSRP in 2022-23, Rs 1,350 crore in 2023-24 and Rs 350 crore in 2024-25. This included Rs 500 crore through asset monetisation.
Karnataka allocated Rs 1,000 crore in 2023-24 and Rs 400 crore in 2024-25.
The budget has also allocated Rs 4,000 crore for the PM E-DRIVE scheme, under which Karnataka has sought 5,000 electric buses for Bengaluru. Under PM E-DRIVE, the Centre will spend Rs 4,391 crore to procure 14,028 e-buses for nine large cities.
Union Budget 2025 | Nirmala Sitharaman, as Finance Minister, presented her record 8th Union Budget this time. While inflation has burnt a hole in the pockets of 'aam janata', the Modi govt gave income tax relief for those making up to Rs 12 lakh per year in salaried income. Track the latest coverage, live news, in-depth opinions, and analysis only on Deccan Herald. Also follow us on WhatsApp, LinkedIn, X, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.