Karnataka budget: Bengaluru Metro to extend to Tumakuru and Devanahalli; tunnel road in Hebbal announced

Siddaramaiah said that the Bengaluru suburban rail project, which was progressing at a snail’s pace, has now gained momentum, with civil works for Corridor-2 from Baiyappanahalli to Chikkabanavara being implemented swiftly.

The Bengaluru Metro is slated for expansion to Tumakuru and Devanahalli, along with a tunnel road in Hebbal, as outlined in the 2024-2025 Karnataka state budget.

"The feasibility report for extending the Metro rail from Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) to Tumakuru and Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) to Devanahalli on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) basis will be prepared," Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said in his budget speech.

While the 3 km Nagasandra-BIEC (Green Line) Metro section is expected to become operational in a few months, the extension to Tumakuru (around 50 km) is expected to help real estate in northwest of Bengaluru.

Home Minister G Parameshwara, MLA from the Koratagere assembly segment, has been pushing for the extension of the Metro to Tumakuru. However, experts suggest that extending the suburban rail from Chikkabanavara to Tumakuru could be a more feasible option.

Similarly, the Metro rail will be extended from KIA to Devanahalli, covering approximately 15 km, providing a boost to the northern part of Bengaluru. The suburban rail's KSR Bengaluru City – Yelahanka – Devanahalli corridor will also connect Devanahalli.

Tunnel road in Hebbal

The state government also plans to tackle traffic congestion by constructing underground tunnels in Bengaluru.

"Widening of existing roads is difficult due to scarcity of land and problems in land acquisition. In this backdrop, the state government has decided to resolve traffic congestion in the city by constructing underground tunnels. On a pilot basis, a tunnel will be constructed this year at Hebbal junction where there is high traffic congestion," Siddaramaiah said.

Satellite towns

Towns such as Devanahalli, Nelamangala, Hoskote, Doddaballapura, Magadi, and Bidadi in the vicinity of Bengaluru will be developed as satellite townships with road and rail connectivity, the chief minister added.

In a bid to decongest Bengaluru, the government plans to develop 'attractive cities' in the state with sustainable infrastructure under the Mahatma Gandhi Nagar Vikas Yojana-2.0.

"An allocation of Rs 2,000 crore will be made for the development of infrastructure in 10 Municipal Corporations. Integrated townships near Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Belagavi, Kalaburagi, KGF, Vasanthanarasapura of Tumakuru, and Ballari will be developed," Siddaramaiah said.

The state government aims to complete the white-topping works of major roads covering a length of 147 km at a cost of Rs 1,700 crore by December 2025.

Another initiative involves constructing all-weather roads within the canal buffer zone, with a 100 km road already being developed at a cost of Rs 200 crore. An additional 100 km of roads is planned for development in the current year.

Under Sugama Sanchara-Brand Bengaluru, an expert organisation of international repute has been engaged to propose measures to ease traffic congestion in Bengaluru.

"The peripheral ring road is proposed to be repositioned as the Bengaluru Business Corridor to address traffic congestion and promote large-scale economic activities. Requests for Proposals (RFP) have been invited to construct a 73 km road at a cost of Rs. 27,000 crore under the PPP model, with plans to start the project in the current year," he said.

The chief minister highlighted that more than eight lakh people use metro services daily, and by March 2025, an additional 44 km of metro line will be added to the existing 74 km.

"The completion of the Outer Ring Road-Airport Road works under Metro Rail project Phase-2 and Phase-2A is expected by June 2026. A draft Detailed Project Report (DPR) is being prepared for the construction of a Metro line from Sarjapur to Agara, Koramangala, Dairy Circle, and connecting to Hebbal via Mekhri Circle under Namma Metro Phase-3A. The proposal will be submitted for the approval of the Central government" he said.

"Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) plans to add 1,334 new electric buses and 820 BS-6 diesel buses to its fleet in the coming days" he said.

Siddaramaiah said that the Bengaluru suburban rail project, which was progressing at a snail’s pace, has now gained momentum, with civil works for Corridor-2 from Baiyappanahalli to Chikkabanavara being implemented swiftly.

"We plan to draw the attention of the Central government to this ambitious project and urge them to allocate additional grants. The state government will also release matching grants," he said.