Namma Metro Phase 3 Finally Moves Forward: BMRCL to Invite Tenders for ₹9,700-Crore Corridor

After months of bureaucratic delay and mounting public impatience, Bengaluru's long-awaited Namma Metro Phase 3 is finally inching towards execution. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has announced that tender invitations will soon be floated for the 28.4-kilometre JP Nagar 4th Phase-Kempapura (Hebbal) corridor, marking a key step in the expansion of the city's transport network.

A Project Delayed but Not Derailed

The Central Government had granted approval for the project almost a year ago, but the tendering process kept slipping, sparking criticism from citizens and urban transport experts. Officials attributed the delay to complex design and structural requirements - especially for the double-decker viaduct, a first-of-its-kind integration of a flyover and metro line on a single structure.

Now that the detailed design phase is complete, BMRCL officials confirm that the project will move into the construction phase. The corridor will be developed under ten separate packages covering elevated viaducts, stations, and depots.

Connectivity and Route Details

Stretching 28.4 km, the new corridor will link JP Nagar 4th Phase to Kempapura, passing through crucial residential and commercial zones such as Kamakya, Kadirenahalli, Hosakerehalli, Kamakshipalya, Nagarabhavi Circle, Papareddypalya, Sumanahalli Cross, and Nagashettihalli.

The line will feature 30 stations, with seven interchange points connecting to existing or upcoming metro routes, promising smoother last-mile connectivity across the expanding network.

A standout feature is the 37.12-km double-decker system, which combines the JP Nagar-Kempapura line and an 8.6-km elevated stretch between Hosahalli (Magadi Road) and Kadabagere. The total cost for this integrated structure is pegged at ₹9,700 crore, cleared by the Karnataka Cabinet in September 2025.

Funding and Financial Blueprint

The financial model for Phase 3 will rely on shared funding - 50% from the State Government, 10% from the Centre, and the remaining 40% through foreign and domestic loans. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has committed a loan of ₹7,577 crore, which will also cover rolling stock procurement.

The total cost for Phase 3 - including the proposed Blue Line (Phase 3A) - is estimated at ₹15,611 crore. For context, Phase 1 (42 km) was completed at ₹14,133 crore, while Phase 2 (72 km) ballooned to over ₹40,000 crore after multiple revisions.

Timelines and Expectations

Initially targeted for completion by 2029, the project is now likely to extend until 2031 due to repeated procedural delays. However, officials assert that tendering and land acquisition will now progress in parallel to minimize further setbacks.

Metro Expansion and City Impact

With 97 km of metro lines already operational, Bengaluru stands as India's second-largest metro network after Delhi. The system currently ferries nearly 10 lakh passengers daily, a number expected to rise sharply once Phase 3 and 3A become operational.

The Phase 3A Blue Line, connecting Sarjapur to Hebbal, will further integrate Bengaluru's IT corridors, featuring 36.6 km of track with a mix of underground and elevated sections. It's expected to decongest critical stretches like Koramangala, Agara, and Bellandur.

Although Bengaluru's metro fares remain slightly higher than those in other cities - around ₹90 for a 30 km ride - commuters continue to view it as a dependable, time-saving alternative to the city's notorious traffic jams.