BMRCL Presents Bangalore Metro’s 102 km Phase 3 to MoUD
As per a report published in the TOI, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation on Tuesday presented and reviewed different lines of the Phase 3 project with the Ministry of Urban Development!
The Phase 3 project has been on the drawing board for many years, and in early 2013 the BMRCL narrowed down to 5 lines totaling 150.94 km. In June 2013, they published a press note listing the routes and indicating they’ve have engaged RITES Limited, an engineering consultancy firm, to prepare each line’s pre-feasibility study in 6-9 months and their Detailed Project Report (DPR) in one and a half years.
Fast forward to 2016 – With the pre-feasibility studies complete and the government showing keen interest in developing Light Rail lines on two of the corridors, the Phase 3 project has now been shortened to 102 km. While the TOI report does not give a breakdown of the lines & their respective length, here’s a list of corridors & their approx length which are currently on the table:
1. Nagavara – Airport (23 km) – shown in Red
2. Carmelaram – Yelahanka (32 km) – shown in Blue
3. Marathahalli – Hosakerehalli (21 km) – shown in Pink
4. Silkboard – KR Puram – Hebbal (29 km) – shown in Brown
Note: The lines & their exact lengths have not been finalized and do not add to the 102 km figure. Line colors & alignment are only indicative. Once the DPR is finalized (time-frame unknown), a more accurate picture will emerge.
Details:
1. Nagavara – Airport (23 km)
RITES had initially suggested 5 routes in March 2015 after which the Government of Karnataka requested them to focus on 2 routes: (1) Nagavara to Airport via Tanisandra & Begur and (2) Nagavara to Airport via Hebbal & Yelahanka (NH7). See a map & more specific details about this line here: RITES Examining 2 Routes to Connect Nagavara with Bangalore’s International Airport in Phase 2A.
As per NM Dhoke, BMRCL’s Director of rolling stock and operations:
The RITES feasibility study is complete but the cabinet has to approve the project before BMRC does detailed project report. Based on it, the Centre will approve and sanction funds. The airport link will be part of Phase 3 of Namma Metro.
As per the MD of BMRCL, they are yet to take a decision on which route they’ll pursue or whether it’ll be an express or regular metro line with more frequent stops. The state government has been insisting on the NH7 route as they’ve already acquired land around the highway.
2. Carmelaram – Yelahanka (32 km)
This line is officially said to have its eastern terminal at Sarjapur, but is expected to start from Carmelaram and pass through/by Bellandur, Koramangala, Madiwala, Dairy Circle, Wilson Garden, Town Hall, Central College, Cunningham Road, Palace Guttahalli, Mekhri Circle, Sanjay Nagar, Hebbal, Sahakar Nagar, Yelahanka to reach Kogilu Road.
3. Marathahalli – Hosakerehalli (21 km)
This line’s eastern terminal will be located at Marathahalli and is expected to pass through/by the Old Airport Road, Command Hospital, D’Souza Circle, Vellara Junction, Town Hall, KR Market, RK Ashram, Srinivas Nagar, Seetha Circle to reach Hosakerehalli on the Outer Ring Road.
4. Silkboard – KR Puram – Hebbal (29 km)
This line has a fairly straight-forward alignment along the Outer Ring Road. With the government preferring a Light Rail on the western & southern routes, this line has been shortened from 64.37 km to about 29 km. Its southern terminal is proposed to be located at Silkboard junction after which it’ll pass through/by HSR Layout, Green Glen Layout, Bellandur, Kadubeesanahalli, Chandra Layout, Anand Nagar, Mahadevapura, Krishnarajapuram (KR Puram), Kasturi Nagar, HRBR Layout, Kalyan Nagar, Nagavara, Jogappa Layout to reach Hebbal.
Two maps have been embedded below to show how the system might look like if the above lines’ DPR is approved & built. You can zoom in/out to view specific areas:
Guide for map below: Phase 1 | Phase 2 | Phase 3
In December 2015, the CPRO of BMRCL indicated that RITES will submit Phase 3’s DPR in another “6-8 months”. If that assessment holds true, then news about it should emerge within the next couple of months. The Airport line’s DPR will be prepared after all stakeholders take a stand and choose an alignment & type of service. If they select the national highway route, then it’ll throw the Carmelaram – Yelahanka line into a disarray.
For more updates, check out the Bangalore section of The Metro Rail Guy!
– TMRG
God save Bangalore until all this construction is done!
TMRG, your last line says “If they select the national highway route, then it’ll throw the Carmelaram – Yelahanka line into a disarray”.
Why so? Can’t the same line be extended beyond Yelahanka up to airport? Fewer services can be run up to the airport & more frequent trains can be operated up to Yelahanka. Is this not possible?
Hi, that’s completely possible and I believe they’ve dabbled with the idea of a hybrid line with regular & express services in the past, but didn’t arrive at any decision. Need some ingenious planning, vision and resolve to get this thing approved & built.
What happen to the Peripheral Ring Road to Tollgate line (9 Kms) line ?
Hi, the government wants to build a Light Rail line there (see this article), so it’s no longer part of Phase 3’s plan.
What is the difference between Metro and LRT? And why do bangalore government wants to test all RTS here? I simply cannot understand the logic of having both Metro and LRT.
No LRT in Bengaluru and it doesnt suit for Bengaluru city.. the Metro is the best and the Entire Outer Ring Road is covered in Phase 3.
True, definitely it would take around 10 years to complete this phase, provided all goes well. There are already many areas which are currently not within BBMP limits, but we find 20-30 storeyed building coming up there (e.g. in North Bengaluru, one must look at areas like Hunesmaranahalli, Vidyanagar and Sadahalli on one side, and Rajankunte on the other side, which have now sprung up with numerous shopping complexes, showrooms, offices, hospitals, schools, and even royal apartments). By 2025, one can expect the BBMP area to be around 1500 sq km from the present 800 sq km.
The need for public transport would also, ultimately, increase by then, and it does deserve to be expanded beyond Yelahanka in future phases.
Why silk board to herbal. … why not complete circle along ringroad…. have 2 routes one in clockwise and one in anticlockwise. …This should be the first priority as it will generate hunger income due to IT
Hi, the government prefers a Light Rail line between Hebbal & JP Nagar (see this article), so that part is no longer included in the metro’s phase 3 plan. I’m hoping better sense prevails and they complete the circle.
LRT is useless. LRT do not gaurantee signal free, traffic jam free transportation.
Outer Ring Road covered in PH-3.
HI TMRG ,
The DMRC submitted the DPR for Phase I of the Namma Metro project to the BMRCL in May 2003. we are in 2016 and yet phase 1 is not fully operational.
As per Railyatri comments & based on their study of phase 1 progress. Railyatri have reported that phase-2 would be completed in 2032 … tentatively , for completing of phase 3 , I would believes it would take another 12 to 14 years from 2032 which is around 2046. So we would be lucky enough to catch a metro to airport at 2050 ( 34yrs from now ) .
I would like to request BMRCL to take technical expert advice from DMRL in order not to further delay the projects .
Can’t BMRCL take up phase 2 & 3 projects parallely ?
Hi, funding both projects simultaneously would be a big issue. Due to Phase 1’s delay, funding for Phase 2 has not been an easy task. Out of Rs 12,000 crore that they plan to raise from foreign lenders/bonds for PH2, they’ve so far only got a Rs 1500 crore loan from France’s AFD Bank and plan to get another 2000-3800 crore from Germany’s KfW Bank by July. Both loans combined would still fall well short of the 12000 crore target.
Hi TMRG,
Who is responsible for fund raising for the phases? BMRCL?
BMRCL’s finance department
Why does not BMRCL show the technology they going to use and ensure that the delays wont happen. There are so many banks which will be ready to fund the projects. Also, why is this not a part of the state fund which is kept for development. The money should come from the taxes that we pay. Any timelines which are promised?
@TMRG for lightning fast updates
I’m 24 now
Someday I will turn 50 that day I still hope i will be able to travel in this
Hi Wajid, that’s the sad reality. At the rate at which they’re going, I expect work to perhaps start in 2025 and end by 2035. There needs to be a radical intervention in the way the BMRCL goes about with their pre-construction activities (bidding, approval etc) and handles contractors during construction.
With the above route map the metro is cris crossing central Bangalore. Just like east bangalore is covered from Silk board to Hebbal. The western side should have a line from JP nagar or JP nagar to nagarbhavi
Hi, the government plans to build a Light Rail line on the western side of the ORR (Hebbal – JP Nagar) – see this article. I’m hoping better sense prevails and they complete the circle.
Why isn’t the metro line planned beyond Marathahalli? that is from Marathahalli to ITPL. As most of them travel to ITPL through Marathahalli.
The pink line : Marathahalli – Hosakerehalli (21 km)
Can this be extended to ITPL that is ITPL- Marathahalli – Hosakerehalli
Hi, let’s see what the DPR says whenever it is finalized. I hope it gets extended further east or north-east towards ITPL as you said.
The purple line is already planned for extension from Baiyyappanahalli & will go past ITPL up to Kadugodi. So, no way they will extend the Hosakerehalli-Marathahalli line north-eastwards towards ITPL as it will become a duplication & leave area eastwards unserved.
The extension will most likely be eastwards from Marathalli towards Varthur after which it might turn south & proceed to Dommasandra, going past Gunjur as that area is developing very fast.
Also, the Yelahanka-Carmelaram line may be extended up to Dommasandra to hook up with the above line (maybe in phase-4).
Exactly. Extension to varthur is much required. There is no alternate route for entire region except for the Varthur main road.
Already sent a mail to BMRCL to consider extension to Varthur.
Once metro comes at Marthahallie, commuters from East side will have a tough time reaching Marhahalli because of the congestion.
This petition asks for Varthur extenstion.
https://www.change.org/p/kj-george-extend-metro-phase-3-from-marthahalli-to-varthur-kodi-and-beyond
I also strongly support for the above cause. Wish Varthur is included in the next phase.
@TMRG,
Awesome site and updates. Love your scoops 🙂 with real photos and accurate information. Re: Namma Metro, I have been waiting for the North South line to open by end of this year. Hope that is not a moving target. I also heard about Bannerghatta road expansion along with the laying of the metro on that road. But off late, there has been no news of the Bannerghatta road expansion. Do you have any idea if that has been dropped or plan is still intact. Any timeline info would be appreciated as well!
Hi, thanks for your message! The Bannerghatta road expansion is being taken by BBMP and not the BMRCL. That project is an old one (proposed in 2011 I think) and was in the news earlier this year. No idea when they’ll take it up. Hopefully soon so that the contractor can have space to maneuver its equipment and residents have space to move around.
Hi TMRG, thank you so much for your amazing efforts and the superlative map of what Bangalore metro might look like. Do you think there is a scope or potential for a necklace line line the pink line that encircles all these lines to provide seamless connnectivity? This is because, even the DMRC acknowledges that people don’t like to change trains often in their route and prefer other modes of transport if they have to switch at too many interchanges to reach their destination.
Hi Shubangi, you mean the pink line of Delhi metro right?
Hi, thanks for your message! Ideally the ORR should have a ring line as it’ll help connect important residential and commercial districts along it and also de-congest the radial lines. Users will no longer have to go to Majestic or MG Road (phase 2) to switch over and could potentially save time via a ‘ring’ line which users in Delhi will soon benefit from.
The DMRC’s observations are spot-on as switching lines can be time-consuming, but everyone should realize that it’s inevitable as each metro line cannot be routed to their destination.
Optimizing the connecting train timing and reasonable pricing between the source and destination would solve the problem to some extent?
I noticed in the proposed line between Hosakerahalli and Marathahalli line several important stops like Chamrajpet, Srinagar and Hunumanathnagar in the south have been excluded.
Are these points been considered By Namna metro as these have high density of population in the south of Bangalore.
Hi, let’s wait to see what the DPR says. I’ll make a follow-up post whenever it is published in its initial & final forms.
As of today, most of us know that KRP-URAM railway junction & KR-puram Bridge junction are most choking points. Is there a way to bypass them…??
people coming from Belandur, Marathahalli, Mahadevapura …. and going towards Nagawara, Hebbal… have to wait min 30minutes at this junctions (per each direction). Is there a way to avoid it soon…
Construction in this area leads more havoc in coming future than a solution.
What about cost?if there is delay, the cost escalation will be humongous due to steep real estate costs..
BMRCL need to pull up their socks.
I think BMRCL needs to learn from HMR or Hyderabad metro rail. The way they are finishing projects and how they are linking with MMTS. I have been seeing the pillars in Sarakki and Banashankari for about 2+ years. The Govt need to look into this. However, I would appreciate the team for underground metro work that they havebdone.
I think its the other way around. HMR hasn’t opened a single line despite six years of construction whereas BMRC opened first section in 4 years but tunnelling has been very challenging due to rocks, a fact no one considers. HMR is more worried about their bottom lines than fulfilling social obligations despite holding so much real estate that has been gifted to them by govt.
Sarakki doesn’t have pillars, Viaduct & all stations going past Banashankari have been fully completed but they are awaiting completion of the NS tunnelling since depot is past the tunnel midway on the north, so trails & commissioning are not presently possible.
Any idea why phase2 and phase 3 cannot be taken together? Is that due to funding problem?
Advantages of extending metro to ITI/GaneshaTemple, KR Puram.
This will avoid a lot of traffic in morning and evening peak times.
People coming from Tirupati/Andhra can drop at ITI/GaneshaTemple, KR-Puram and get in the metro.
ITI/Ganesha temple, KRPUram can be a satelite bus station.
Avoids congestions @ KR Puram Railway station.
There is Underpass getting opened (may be in months), this will be added advantage (connects ORR
I just feel that BMRCL should be dissolved due to its failures. All the metro contracts should be allocated to some company like L&T some other foreign company.
Let the funding come in as FDI and project be executed in PPP, such that there is revenue sharing.
If they complete connectivity with Whiltefield, i think Metro can become profitable within 5 years. We are hearing that already DELHI metro is becomming profitable.
Delhi Metro is making operational profits after several years in operation. Same way, every metro will take time to start making profits.
but bangalore’s new phases cannot wait till the existing lines to profit making. They have to find new ways of funding like Indian railways taking loan from LIC and the state funds.
Why I feel so is that by the time the elephant called BMRCL moves the lines to ITPL and other outer ring roads, I think the current generation of engineers would have ended.
There may be no use if having metro at a time when there is not much demand by the time they connect some IT corridor.
IT IN bangalore is moving away from bangalore these days due to lack of transportation.
ITPL & Outer ring road are not the only places that require metro. Even if metro is provided to these areas, IT people will not use it anyway as they don’t want to get out from their cars.
At least in places where metro is being built, people will actually use it unlike the car-crazy IT employees. If the IT companies move away citing lack of transportation, then its good riddance because they are the ones choking up roads & all infrastructure. Life will be much better in the city for others if they get out !
wrong idea. Given an option most of the IT emplyees will opt for Metro because most of the IT employees would like to save their time if not anything else. Current public transport ie Bus are unreliable and in some cases too expensive. Bangalore is experiencing such boom because of IT. If they provide public transportation to IT belt then there will be a significant reduction in traffic.
besides IT provides significant revenues for India, let alone Karnataka
Completely wrong assumption. People living on Mysore road & Tumkur road have had even more traffic than Whitefield & eastern part of ORR from decades since they are busy highways. Yet they always used buses even when there are few air-conditioned Volvo buses serving those highways. Now, many have switched to metro but essentially they rely on public transport.
In comparison, despite loads of buses, including many air-conditioned Volvo buses serving the IT areas, why are roads in Whitefield & eastern ORR so full of cars? Buses have become unreliable because of cars choking those roads, nothing else as the roads aren’t highways like Tumkur or Mysore roads with heavy truck & inter-state traffic.
On the one hand you say, people use cars to save time whilst on the other you say they do it as buses are expensive. The IT employees will not get off their cars for sure. Wait & watch. BMRC is right in according priority where people will use metro first & not in areas where people want the metro to clear up roads for driving their cars.
Hi SHAM, Your post brought smile on my face 🙂 Though I don’t agree completely with you but you have made a very valid point. People have to shift to public transport.
Do you work in IT ?If not, then you should not comment with some pre conceived notions. Who told u IT ppl wont use metro, have you been to countries around the world? Office workers are biggest users of metro systems and trains. Go and see in Mumbai if not outside India.
And your last comment about ‘good riddance’ of IT companies…it does not even deserve a reply
I have no pre-conceived notions, I have seen almost the whole world & whole of India too. And I do not need to work in IT to comment about them, its a free country. Can you explain why there are so many cars on ORR & Whitefield as compared to other city areas, if not for IT workers?
see from agara to sarjapur junction …… 2 lines from koramangala and from silkboard go together for almost 3 kms ….. are they kidding …… what kind of planning is this ….. aweful
From what I can see, there is overlap only between Agara and Sarjapur-ORR junction (about 2km). Can’t see 3km overlap between Koramangala-Silkboard as each route is taking different path /road.
I think these lines are marked only for viability studies and DPR preparation as it takes very long to do that (some 18 months), so it may only be an exercise to save time later and go for whatever they see fit (not all lines may actually be built).
Hi good work on the article broken by somebody else. Very detailed. I must say your sources are better than the TOI’s sources
Hi TMRG, thank you so much for your amazing efforts and the map of what Bangalore metro . do u have fb page to followup
Dear TMRG,
In Phase 3, is the alignment of Marathhalli – hoskerehalli (Pink Line) route is confirmed or almost near to be fixed.
If these stations are elevated, then chances are, they might be taken up through main roads. Alignment after Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple, the roads are narrow and do not support construction of Piers and stations. Please confirm on this.
Has RITeS submitted the DPR to BMRCL?
Hi Praveen, I would describe the alignment shown above as rough/rudimentary. BMRCL would be aware of the DPR’s progress and must have a copy of its draft version. Once it’s ready and presented to the state government, then we’ll know the exact station names and the type of alignment (elevated vs underground) through the entire city. Stay tuned 🙂
Thank U TMRG. Indeed you are a data bank!! 🙂
Hi Praveen, I want to know if there is any metro rail connection from K. R. Puram to Hoskote and their routes.
Looking for.metro 3rd phase.work.start but dont why its taking so late this project should have been started 2 years back itself. Because the metro would get more income from.3rd phase than anyother phase from bangalore.com let them.start the project fast and finish.as much soon.as possible. For the development of bangalore.
Hello Mr. TMRG and All,
Is there any latest update on the metro line connecting all the way to the airport? If so, has the route been finalsed along the National Highway via Hebbal and Yelahanka? Or through Thanisandara from Nagavara? Look forward to your response.
So we need of metro even at Magadi Road which is also very much important for the growth
Shall consider till Devanahally instead of Airport,so that Devanahally area also can benefit by Metro
Instead of Hosakerehalli to Marathahalli , Hosakerehalli is just a km from Nayandahalli, why can’t they change route which can start from Nayandahalli to Marathahalli…
Instead of Hosakerehalli to Marathahalli , Hosakerehalli is just a km from Nayandahalli, why can’t they change route which can start from Nayandahalli to Marathahalli…
If theroute is like this ( Nayandahalli – hosakerehalli – Marathahalli ) then more commuter can get help from this. who are from Kengeri , Mysore road, Rajarajeshwari nagar , Nagarabhavi . those can come to Nayandahalli and can change the train towards Marathahalli.. They can reach marathahalli very easily. as route will go through Hosakerehalli , this will help who are from katriguppe, kamakya., srinivasapura etc…
We should have separate ORR metro which can connects Banashankar – Silk Board – Hebbala – Nagarabhavi – Banashankar .. This can reduce lot of Metro traffic as well…
Dear TMRG ,
Is the Hosakerehalli to Marathahalli line that goes through Vellara junction finalised ? If yes they will definitely take land from both sides of the road right to construct a station at vellara junction ?
Hi, as of January 2017 – that line or its alignment or list/locations of stations have not been finalized. RITES has prepared a pre-feasibility study, but a Detailed Project Report (DPR) has not yet been created or submitted to the state government. With the way things are going in Bangalore, I do not see this line, as a part of Phase 3, being approved until 2022.
Why there is no focus on suburban local train system like Mumbai, Chennai..? It is much faster and cost effective than Metro. Bangalore and its surrounding already has good rail connectivity, it just requires some revamps like double rail lane, electrification etc.. Hope it makes sense while we all are discussing to make the city congestion free.
Yes Bangalore needs suburban trains very badly.
When the phase 3 will finish.?
As we know there is heavy traffic on TUMKUR road Bangalore . there are thousands of passengers trailing from TUMKUR to Bangalore every day so govt should think about it to travel safe and fast jurney Provide the METRO rail from TUMKUR to Bangalore.As ther evenue also increased and peoples also breath freely…plz think about this..
We heard about approval of 6-lane to Mysore, does this mean Metro option to Bidadi Industrial Area is ruled out? Meaning, can’t think of that, even in future…
Hi,
I heard news from a lot of builders on the Varthur Gunjur stretch that they sanction for extension from Marathahalli – Hosakerehalli line has been done till Varthur Kodi and Varthur Gunjur stretch, additional the work has not started as BMRCL is waiting for the Varhur – Gunjur stretch widen to the proposed 6 lane road. is this true as I dont find any update beyond Yahsomathi Hospital in Marathahalli side of the metro.