Bengaluru Metro's extension to outskirts, double-decker flyovers; contracts awarded for feasibility studies

At present, Bengaluru Metro's operational network spans 73.8 km.

Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has awarded contracts to consultants for feasibility studies to extend its network to the outskirts.

The Metro agency also selected consultants to conduct feasibility studies for the construction of double-decker flyovers as part of the Phase 3 project.

BMRCL sources told Moneycontrol that Hyderabad-based Aarvee Associates Architects Engineers & Consultants Pvt. Ltd has received the contract for preparing a feasibility study report for the extension of the Bengaluru Metro to Tumakuru.

"Aarvee Associates will prepare the feasibility study report for the extension of Bengaluru Metro's Green Line from Madavara (BIEC) to Tumakuru (52.4 km) under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model," a source told Moneycontrol. The contract was awarded to Aarvee Associates on June 29 for Rs 1.25 crore.

Also Read: Bengaluru: BMRCL to prepare feasibility report for 118 km extension to outskirts, floats tender

At present, Bengaluru Metro's Green Line, from Silk Institute to Nagasandra, is operational, and 3 km Nagasandra-BIEC Metro section is expected to commence operations by September 2024.

Metro extension to peripheral areas

Separately, Aarvee Associates received the contract for the preparation of a feasibility study for three Metro corridors (50Km): Challaghatta - Bidadi, Silk Institute - Harohalli, and Bommasandra - Attibele.

Aaevee Associates will also prepare the feasibility study of a 60 km Metro corridor from Kalene Agrahara (Gottigere) - Jigani - Anekal - Attibele - Sarjapur - Varthur - Kadugodi Tree Park.

Also, read: Bengaluru's traffic conundrum: Metro rail to the outskirts, suburban rail confined to city limits, and tunnel vision

At present, Challaghatta – Whitefield (Purple Line) and Silk Institute - Nagasandra (Green Line) are operational, with under-construction lines including Yellow Line (RV Road - Bommasandra), Pink Line (Kalena Agrahara – Nagawara), and Blue Line (Central Silk Board - KR Puram - Kempegowda International Airport).

"The feasibility study will reveal whether Metro, suburban rail or Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) to these areas is feasible and also assess the ridership potential. Once the report is submitted, state government and BMRCL board will take a final decision. Following this, we will prepare a detailed project on the type of trains, estimated ridership, alignment, station locations, and construction costs." a senior official told Moneycontrol.

However, these proposed lines are not part of the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP), which was prepared by the state government in 2020, proposing to increase the Metro network in Bengaluru to 317 km by 2031.

Also, read: Bengaluru traffic: IISc bats for Inner Ring underground Metro over DKS’ tunnel road plan

The corridors suggested in the CMP include JP Nagar 4th Phase-Kempapura stretch along ORR West, Hosahalli-Kadabagere line along Magadi Road, Whitefield – Domlur Line, Katamnallur Gate – Sarjapur Road – Hebbal, and Inner Ring Metro.

While the Union government is likely to approve two Phase 3 corridors: Magadi Road and ORR West in a few weeks, BMRCL has submitted the DPR for the Sarjapur-Hebbal corridor to the state government. However, there is no progress on other corridors. The Union government is unlikely to approve corridors that are not part of the CMP.

Congress-led Karnataka government has been pushing for the extension of Bengaluru Metro network to the outskirts and construction of double-decker flyovers. However, experts say Metro rail system is designed for core city areas and suburban rail should be extended to the outskirts.

Double-decker flyovers

BMRCL sources said Aarvee Associates will prepare the feasibility study report for the construction of double-decker flyovers along three Metro corridors in the city.

These corridors are JP Nagar 4th Phase - Hebbal (29 km), Hosahalli - Kadabagere (11.45 km), Sarjapur - Ibbalur (ORR Junction 14 km), and Agara - Koramangala 3rd Block (2.4 km), which is part of the Sarjapur-Hebbal corridor (37 km). Officials said they awarded the contract to Aarvee Associates on June 29 for Rs 78.7 lakh.

However, two of the Metro's Phase 3 corridors, the JP Nagar 4th Phase-Kempapura stretch along ORR West and the Hosahalli-Kadabagere line along Magadi Road, have been pending approval from the Union government since November 2022.

Also, read: Bengaluru Metro submits DPR for Hebbal-Sarjapur corridor to state govt, seeks approval

Karnataka deputy CM and Bengaluru development minister DK Shivakumar recently proposed double-decker flyovers designed to accommodate vehicles on the lower deck and the Metro on the upper deck, aiming to reduce congestion in the city.

Shivakumar directed the BMRCL authorities to construct two levels where Metro pillars are yet to be erected, with one level designated for road traffic and the other for the trains.

He said Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and BMRCL will collaborate on this initiative.

"BBMP will bear the cost of the road flyover, while BMRCL will manage the Metro costs. This is likely to help resolve the traffic crisis in Bengaluru. Having observed similar projects in Nagpur, we plan to implement Metro plus road lines in future Metro lines,” said Shivakumar.

Also, read: Bengaluru Metro to conduct feasibility study for double-decker flyovers on three corridors; invites tender

Meanwhile, Bengaluru's first double-decker flyover, spanning 3.35 km between Ragigudda and Central Silk Board on Marenahalli Road, is now ready for inauguration.

This flyover, designed for vehicle use on the lower deck and the Metro on the upper deck, is part of the Metro's fully elevated RV Road-Bommasandra Yellow Line corridor (18.8 km) under Phase 2 of the project.

Also, read: Bengaluru's first double-decker flyover is finally ready