Bengaluru Metro Phase III double-decker plan may shrink to 11 km

Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Ltd is considering reducing the proposed double-decker section of Namma Metro Phase III from 37 km to around 11 km following recommendations from engineering consultancy RITES.

Namma Metro Phase III, approved by the Union government in August 2024, covers 45 km across two corridors — Kempapura to JP Nagar via the Outer Ring Road and Hosahalli to Kadabagere on Magadi Road.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the project in August 2025, but construction has yet to begin.

BMRCL had proposed a 37-km double-decker structure along the Orange Line, with a road flyover on the first level and the Metro viaduct above it. The estimated cost of the proposed double-decker flyover is Rs 9,700 crore.

Following suggestions from RITES, BMRCL is considering reducing the double-decker section to around 11 km.

Instead of constructing a continuous double-decker structure, shorter sections could be built at major traffic bottlenecks.

The locations being considered include Hebbal, BEL Circle, Goraguntepalya, Sumanahalli Cross, Nagarbhavi, Nayandahalli and Kamakya Junction. Sarakki Junction, the Delmia flyover stretch and Vega City Mall are also among the identified bottlenecks.

RITES has raised concerns that continuous additional road capacity could encourage greater use of private vehicles. It has also flagged engineering challenges associated with the combined road-and-Metro structure.

At some junctions, the structure could rise to around 35 metres to cross existing flyovers and Metro corridors.

The report said the Metro-only project has an economic internal rate of return of about 17 per cent, while the figure with the double-decker component falls below the 14 per cent benchmark.

BMRCL will take the proposal to reduce the double-decker stretch to the state government.

Separately, the Bangalore Development Authority has proposed a six-lane tunnel from Kanteerava Studio to BEL Circle via Goraguntepalya and has floated tenders to prepare a detailed project report.

The proposed changes remain under consideration and do not alter the 45-km length of the approved Phase III network.