After more than a year of approval from the Karnataka government, it is said that two corridors of Bengaluru Namma Metro's Phase 3 are on the verge of receiving sanction from the Union government. It is expected that this approval will come before the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, a move that experts speculate will strengthen the electoral prospects of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the IT hub.
In November 2022, the Karnataka government granted approval to Namma Metro's Phase 3, which includes two corridors totaling 44.6 kilometres. One corridor extends from JP Nagar 4th Phase to Kempapura along ORR West (32.1 km), and the other extends from Hosahalli to Kadabagere along Magadi Road (12.5 km).
Since November 2022, these proposals have been awaiting approval from the Union government.
According to the report, the clearance for these two corridors is now imminent.
An official from BMRCL mentioned, "The model code of conduct (MCC) for the Lok Sabha polls is expected to come into effect by the first or second week of March 2024. Therefore, they anticipate approval before the MCC is enforced."
The approval for expanding the network along ORR West and Magadi Road is expected to enhance the public transport system and boost the real estate sector in the outskirts.
However, some transportation experts have suggested extending the ORR West corridor from JP Nagar 4th Phase to Central Silk Board for seamless multi-modal transport integration.
Furthermore, the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has imposed additional conditions for endorsing the Phase 3 corridors. BMRCL has agreed to operate three-coach trains instead of the originally planned six-coach rolling stock.
The 65th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) discussed two urban transit metro corridor projects: Bengaluru Metro's Phase 3 corridors and Delhi Metro's Rithala-Bawana-Narela-Kundli (Haryana) Metro corridor.
A release from the Press Information Bureau stated, "The implementation of both projects will facilitate multi-modal integration of metro with bus and rail stations, alleviate road congestion, save travel time and fuel costs, ensure reliable operation and performance, and mitigate vehicular emissions and pollution."
"It was emphasised in the meeting the pivotal role of these projects in nation-building by integrating various modes of transport, delivering significant socio-economic benefits, and fostering overall regional development," it added.
Regarding other corridors, Chavan revealed that the detailed project report (DPR) for the 37-kilometer Sarjapur-Hebbal corridor is undergoing scrutiny and will soon be presented to the state government for approval.
During a joint session of both houses of the state legislature on 12 February, Karnataka Governor Thawaar Chand Gehlot stated, "Progress is underway on Bengaluru metro rail project Phase 2A - from Central Silk Board to Krishnarajapura (19.75 km) and Phase-2B - Krishnarajapura to Kempegowda International Airport - scheduled for completion by June 2026."
