The BMRCL is working on having its own premises next to the Swami Vivekananda metro station, which will not only save it the Rs 25 lakh monthly rent, but also rake in double that amount from renting part of its new space.

Beginning with a modest office on Baghwan Mahaveer Road (Infantry Road), the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd moved to the BMTC building in Shanthinagar in 2006. A small piece of land next to the Chinnaswamy stadium was rented for its land acquisition office.

"The need for expansion was felt when work on Phase 2 started. An additional 22,000 square feet was rented in the following years. We pay Rs 25 lakh monthly rent for the premises," BMRCL chief public relations officer U A Vasanth Rao said.

Tentatively named 'Metro Bhavana', the new building is expected to cost BMRCL Rs 175 crore. A design consultancy firm has given two options — an eight-floor building and a 19-floor building — with a five-level basement reserved for parking. The design with eight floors will have a total area of 3.40 lakh sq ft. It will have space for all the wings of the corporation. The ground and second floor will have a gallery, auditorium and multipurpose hall. The remaining floors will be used as office space.

"The modest design provides enough space for the corporation's expansion. We have plans to offer 1.5 to 2 lakh sq ft of area for rent and generate Rs 6 crore per annum to recover the expenditure on the building," the official said.

The Metro Bhavana will also be located near the Baiyappanahalli station, where the BMRCL has its operational headquarters. The distance between the administrative and operational machinery will be reduced to less than a kilometre.

Tenders for the construction of the new building are likely to be called soon. Officials hope that the it will be ready in the next two or three years and provide space for more staffers, who will join as Phase 2 of Namma Metro becomes operational.