Karnataka proposes five semi-high-speed RRTS corridors from Bengaluru, seeks Union govt approval

The first RRTS corridor, Delhi–Meerut, became partially operational in October 2023, with 55 km of the 82-km route already functional.

Karnataka deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking central funding of around Rs 1.5 lakh crore for several high-priority infrastructure projects aimed at transforming Bengaluru into a "truly global metropolis."

The proposals include five semi-high-speed Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridors modelled after Delhi–Meerut Namo Bharat project. The five proposed semi-high-speed corridors are Bengaluru–Bidadi–Mysuru, Bengaluru–Harohalli–Kanakapura, Bengaluru–Nelamangala–Tumakuru, Bengaluru–Airport–Chikkaballapur, and Bengaluru-Hoskote–Kolar.

Also, read: Bengaluru, satellite towns to get semi-high-speed RRTS corridors? NCRTC submits proposal to Karnataka govt

The proposal seeks to replicate the success of the Delhi–Meerut RRTS corridor, India’s first operational Regional Rapid Transit System, capable of speeds up to 160 km/h and covering 90 km in an hour.

It may be recalled that the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) recently proposed four semi-high-speed Namo Bharat corridors originating from Bengaluru to boost regional connectivity: Bengaluru–Hoskote–Kolar (65 km), Bengaluru–Mysuru (145 km), Bengaluru–Tumakuru (60 km), and Bengaluru–Hosur–Krishnagiri–Dharmapuri (138 km, extending into neighbouring Tamil Nadu).

In his letter, Shivakumar underscored Bengaluru’s role as the nation’s technology and innovation hub, contributing significantly to India’s GDP and the national exchequer. Karnataka is the country’s second-highest tax-paying state, contributing around Rs 4.5 lakh crore annually.

However, Shivakumar cautioned that rapid urbanisation has brought serious challenges such as congestion, inadequate water supply, waste management issues, drainage problems, and insufficient housing and infrastructure.

Apart from the RRTS corridors, Shivakumar’s letter details several other infrastructure initiatives including underground tunnels to bypass congested urban areas, specifically from Hosur Road to Bellary Road and from KR Puram to Mysuru Road. Elevated corridors are also planned along Kanakapura Road and other arterial roads to ease traffic flow. The government has estimated a combined cost of over Rs 56,000 crore for these tunnel and elevated corridor projects.

The state government also plans to add 128 Km Metro network through Phase 3 and 3A and five new corridors. Alongside, the government proposes constructing double-decker elevated roads, similar to the Silk Board–Ragigudda model, spanning over 40Km on stretches like JP Nagar–Hebbal and Hosahalli–Kadabagere, with an estimated cost of Rs 8,916 crore.

Another major project is the construction of a 73-Km, eight-lane Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) to reduce congestion on existing Outer Ring Road. This initiative alone is estimated at Rs 27,000 crore, including Rs 21,000 crore for land acquisition.

Karnataka also plans to develop four large waste processing plants incorporating composting, bio-CNG production, recycling, and waste-to-energy solutions. The state seeks nearly Rs 1,000 crore in viability gap funding under the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 for this purpose.

Further plans include building 300 Km of buffer zone roads along stormwater drain buffer zones (known as Raja Kaluves) to reduce encroachments and improve traffic flow, and augmenting water supply through the Cauvery Water Supply Scheme Phase 6, expected to add 500 million litres per day by 2028.

Shivakumar’s letter urges urgent central approval and funding for these projects, positioning them as vital to preserving Bengaluru’s status as India’s technology capital while addressing critical urban challenges. “We request the Government of India to extend funding support to Bengaluru on par with Delhi, enabling the city to emerge as a global city,” he wrote.

Also, read: Karnataka to spend Rs 1 lakh crore to improve Bengaluru’s traffic, says deputy CM DK Shivakumar