Thursday, August 22, 2024 Bangalore travel sector is set to receive a significant boost with the approval of the Namma Metro Phase-3, making city trips more convenient and efficient. The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has sanctioned this transformative expansion of the Bangalore Metro Rail Project. The ambitious Phase-3 introduces two elevated corridors, covering a combined distance of 44.
65 kilometers and featuring 31 stations. The first corridor will span 32.15 kilometers from JP Nagar 4th Phase to Kempapura along the Outer Ring Road West, including 22 stations, while the second corridor will extend 12.
50 kilometers from Hosahalli to Kadabagere along Magadi Road, with 9 stations. This development is expected to enhance urban mobility and contribute to the city’s growing tourism appeal. Upon the completion of Namma Metro Phase-3, Bangalore will boast an extensive 220.
20-kilometer active Metro Rail Network, further solidifying its position as a city with advanced urban infrastructure. The project, with an estimated budget of ₹15,611 crore, is expected to bring about significant improvements in the city’s transportation dynamics. This phase of Namma Metro is poised to enhance connectivity across previously underserved western regions of Bangalore.
It will link critical areas such as the Peenya Industrial Area, IT hubs on Bannerghatta Road and Outer Ring Road, and key manufacturing zones on Tumkuru Road. The expansion will also improve access to educational institutions including PES University, Ambedkar College, and Dayananda Sagar University, as well as major healthcare facilities and industrial centers. The new corridors will substantially boost connectivity within Bangalore, efficiently linking the southern parts of the city, Outer Ring Road West, and Magadi Road.
This will make it easier for residents to access commercial centers, industrial zones, educational campuses, and healthcare facilities, significantly improving last-mile connectivity. Namma Metro Phase-3 is expected to play a critical role in alleviating traffic congestion on some of Bangalore’s most heavily used routes, such as Outer Ring Road West and Magadi Road. By offering a reliable alternative to road transport, the extended Metro network will help reduce vehicle movement, shorten travel times, and enhance overall road safety.
Beyond improving transportation efficiency, the expanded Metro network will contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing carbon emissions, promoting a greener and more sustainable mode of travel in Bangalore. The project is also poised to make a significant economic impact. Enhanced connectivity and reduced travel times will boost productivity, while the construction and operation of Namma Metro Phase-3 will create numerous job opportunities across various sectors.
Additionally, the new metro stations are expected to stimulate local businesses and attract investment in areas that were previously difficult to access. The expansion of the Metro Rail network will ensure more equitable access to public transportation, benefiting diverse socio-economic groups and reducing transportation disparities. This, in turn, will enhance the quality of life by reducing commute times and improving access to essential services.
Namma Metro Phase-3 includes comprehensive plans for multi-modal integration at 10 key locations: JP Nagar 4th Phase, JP Nagar, Kamakya, Mysore Road, Sumanahalli, Peenya, BEL Circle, Hebbal, Kempapura, and Hosahalli. These hubs will offer seamless interchanges with existing and future Metro stations, BMTC bus stands, Indian Railway stations, and proposed suburban (K-RIDE) stations. All Phase-3 stations will feature dedicated bus bays, pick-up and drop-off zones, pedestrian walkways, and auto-rickshaw stands.
Additionally, parking facilities will be available at 11 key stations, and the existing Phase-1 and Phase-2 stations will be integrated with the new Phase-3 stations. To further enhance commuter convenience, there will be provisions for bike and cycle-sharing, as well as direct connectivity through foot overbridges (FoBs) and skywalks to Lottegollahalli and Hebbal railway stations..
