The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) has taken a significant step forward in Bengaluru's infrastructure development. They have floated tenders for the construction of the city's longest double-decker flyover. This ambitious project falls under Phase III of the Namma Metro initiative.
Phase III Details and Initial Packages
Phase III involves building a 44.6km Metro line along two key corridors. The first corridor stretches from JP Nagar 4th Phase to Kempapura, covering 32.1km along the Outer Ring Road (ORR). The second corridor runs from Hosahalli to Kadabagere, spanning 12.5km along Magadi Road.
BMRCL has started by floating tenders for the first three packages of this massive project.
Package One: JP Nagar to Kamakya Junction
The first package focuses on constructing a 6.5km double-decker flyover between JP Nagar 4th Phase and Kamakya Junction. This segment includes a road-cum-Metro flyover with necessary ramps. It will feature Metro stations at JP Nagar 5th Phase, JP Nagar, Kadirenahalli, and Kamakya Junction.
To make way for this new structure, BMRCL will demolish the existing flyover at Dollars Colony (Delmia). The estimated cost for this package stands at Rs 1,375 crore.
Package Two: Up to Nagarabhavi Circle
Under the second package, a 5km double-decker flyover will extend up to Nagarabhavi Circle. This stretch will include Metro stations at Hosakerehalli, Dwaraka Nagar, Mysuru Road, and Nagarabhavi Circle. The projected cost for this part is Rs 1,396 crore.
Package Three: Towards Sunkadakatte
The third package involves building a 6.6km Metro line up to Sunkadakatte. Stations will be located at Vinayaka Layout, Papareddy Palya, and BDA Complex Nagar. Ramps will connect to the proposed depot at Sunkadakatte. This package carries an estimated cost of Rs 1,415 crore.
Future Plans and Project Background
BL Yeshwanth Chavan, BMRCL's chief public relations officer, stated that tenders for the remaining corridors will follow soon. These include the stretch from Sunkadakatte to Kempapura and the section along Magadi Road.
The project has seen some adjustments over time. Last year, BMRCL proposed shifting the Metro alignment to Goraguntepalya instead of the originally planned Peenya stretch. This change reduced the alignment length by 300 metres. Sources indicate that the Metro operator will finalize these modifications and incorporate them into the tender packages shortly.
In August 2024, the central government granted final approval for the construction of the Orange Line. Following this, the state government proposed the double-decker structure to alleviate ORR traffic congestion. Various factors caused a delay of nearly 1.5 years before BMRCL could float the tenders.
Controversies and Concerns
Several mobility experts have raised objections to the project. They argue that building a road flyover as part of a Metro corridor contradicts the goal of promoting public transport. They fear it might encourage more private vehicle usage instead.
BMRCL plans to construct a 29.4km road flyover between JP Nagar 4th Phase and Kempapura. An additional 11.4km road flyover will run along Magadi Road between Hosahalli and Kadabagere. In September 2024, the state cabinet approved Rs 9,700 crore for the road flyover component of the 40km double-decker project. The total cost for Metro viaduct construction and stations is estimated at Rs 15,611 crore.
Resident Worries and Traffic Impact
Local residents have expressed serious concerns about potential traffic chaos. The demolition of the Delmia flyover at Dollars Colony in JP Nagar is expected to cause significant congestion between Vega City Mall and Sarakki Junction along the ORR.
The erstwhile BBMP built this 300-metre flyover at a cost of Rs 25 crore. It opened to motorists in 2018. Residents worry that the double-decker project could worsen congestion at the Vega City Mall junction on Bannerghatta Road. They have urged BMRCL to prepare a comprehensive traffic decongestion plan before commencing the project.
