Bengaluru: Real estate firm dilly-dallies over Bettahalasur Metro station on airport line

Bettahalasur station, which was supposed to come up between Bagalur Cross and Trumpet Junction

The fate of the Bettahalasur Metro station on Bengaluru Metro's Airport Line (KR Pura-Kempegowda International Airport) hangs in the balance as the real estate firm Embassy Group dilly-dallies on its decision.

The deadline for the airport line, approved by the Union government in 2021, is June 2026.

In 2020, Embassy Group signed an agreement with Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) to fund Bettahalasur station, which was supposed to come up between Bagalur Cross and Trumpet Junction, costing around Rs 140 crore. This station would have provided direct access to the residents of Embassy Boulevard complex.

Also, read: Embassy Group signs MoU with BMRCL for Bettahalasur Metro Station

In September 2020, the Embassy Group signed an MoU with BMRCL for the construction of Bettahalasur at a cost of Rs 140 crore.

However, later, the Embassy Group informed BMRCL that they were not in a position to fund the station, following which BMRCL, in 2022, stated that it would drop the station.

In another U-turn, in 2023, the Embassy Group communicated to BMRCL that they were ready to fund the station and also deposited Rs 1 crore as a token contribution.

BMRCL sources said there has been no response from them since then. On May 29, the BMRCL MD M Maheshwar Rao and senior officials conducted a meeting with major builders and private firms partnering with the Metro agency, but the Embassy Group skipped it.

"They are not responding. Embassy Group has yet to provide in writing that they cannot fund it, so we cannot decide on Bettahalasur. Unless they provide written confirmation that they cannot fund it, we cannot scrap it," said a senior BMRCL official.

When Moneycontrol contacted, a spokesperson from Embassy Property Developments Private Limited, in an email response said: "We will get back as and when we have more information."

Meanwhile, Jakkur Plantation Metro station (between Jakkur Cross and Yelahanka), which is to be built jointly by Bagmane and Century Group for Rs 120 crore, is almost finalised.

"There were some issues between the two firms about whose name comes first and also the location, but we are now resolving them. The discussions were positive. Both firms are planning two big tech parks near the proposed station on both sides. We are also keen to have a station, with a 50:50 cost sharing arrangement between the two firms, but we need approval from the state government," said a BMRCL official.

Also, read: Century Real Estate to launch 7 million sq ft business park in Bengaluru

Bagmane was unavailable for comment. Ravindra Pai, Managing Director of Century Real Estate, said in an email response to Moneycontrol: "Century Group is currently in talks only for the Jakkur Plantation. The engagement with BMRCL is ongoing and in its final stages, and the same shall be concluded soon."

Meanwhile, officials said the Chikkajala station, which will be located between Bettahalsur and Doddajala stations, was approved by the state government after public representations and is on track.

Officials said the three stations: Bettahalasur, Jakkur Plantation, and Chikkajala, were not initially part of the DPR of the Airport Line but were decided to be added later. "Jakkur Plantation and Chikkajala stations are confirmed, but Bettahalsur is doubtful now," said another official.

Metro enthusiasts tracking the work said the chances of the Bettahalasur station being built are slim. "In Bettahalasur, all piers, pier caps, and U-girders are already completed, with no provision for a station. How will a station be built now without making any provisions?" said Sunil HP, a Metro enthusiast.

He said that while the airport Metro work is progressing well, it is going very slowly at the Indian Air Force base in Yelahanka, where BMRCL is building the metro line using a cut-and-cover method, due to the delay in handing over land by the IAF.

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