Three MPs, industry leaders back Namma Metro’s Hebbal land request

Bengaluru: As Namma Metro reworks its original request for 45 acres of land in Hebbal to develop various infrastructure facilities, at least three MPs and several industry leaders have openly expressed their support for the proposal, urging the state government to allocate the required land.

They have also cautioned the government against yielding to the real estate lobby.

In a letter to M Maheshwar Rao, who heads both the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and Namma Metro, Bangalore South MP LS Tejasvi Surya emphasised the need to prioritise public transport infrastructure to address Bengaluru’s urban mobility challenges. "Hebbal is one of Bengaluru's most critical traffic and transit nodes. This location experiences daily congestion and severe traffic bottlenecks, affecting thousands of commuters,” he wrote.

Surya also highlighted the importance of Namma Metro’s plan, which includes two vital stations and a multi-modal hub. "By integrating metro services with BMTC buses, airport shuttles, taxis, autos, and last-mile connectivity, this hub will significantly ease traffic congestion in North Bengaluru,” he said.

He warned that diverting the land for alternative uses, such as a tunnel road, would be a major and irreversible setback to Bengaluru’s future public transport infrastructure and mobility integration efforts.

Bangalore Central MP PC Mohan insisted that the 45-acre Hebbal land should be allotted to the BMRCL.

"With three metro lines and a suburban rail station planned, this land is key to Bengaluru’s transit future. The Centre has approved the proposal, and the BMRCL is ready to pay Rs 551.15 crore. The Karnataka government must prioritise public transport over private interests,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter). He also urged the BMRCL to remain firm in the face of pressure from real estate lobbies.

Last November, Bangalore North MP Shobha Karandlaje had also written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging the transfer of 45 acres of KIADB land to Namma Metro, where a stabling depot is also planned. She warned that delay would lead to time and cost overruns.

In addition to the MPs, industry leaders such as Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson of Biocon Ltd, and TV Mohandas Pai, former board member of Infosys, have extended their support to Namma Metro’s request.

“This is a critical need for BMRCL, and I’m surprised that the Government of Karnataka is not aligned,” Kiran posted on X.

Pai urged Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar to protect the city’s long-term interests.