Funding and Appraisal Deadlocks Stall Bengaluru Metro Corridor Linking Sarjapur to Hebbal
The Union government has declined to set a timeline for Namma Metro Red Line approval, citing ongoing financial appraisals. The project faces mandatory scrutiny under the Metro Rail Policy 2017 to ensure capital viability.
Central Government Withholds Sanction Timeline
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) confirmed in a Rajya Sabha response to Ajay Maken that no specific date can be provided for the approval of Namma Metro’s Phase 3A. The 37.8-km Red Line, designed to connect Sarjapur Road to Hebbal, remains in a state of evaluation. According to federal officials, the capital-intensive nature of such transit projects demands a rigorous vetting process under the Metro Rail Policy, 2017. Financial feasibility and the availability of central resources are the primary factors governing the final decision.
Fiscal Optimization and Alignment Revisions
To meet central requirements, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) performed an extensive cost-cutting overhaul of the initial proposal. High construction expenses, specifically regarding underground sections, prompted the Karnataka government to engage engineering consultants to refine the estimates. This effort led to several significant changes:
- A reduction in the length of underground stations to lower civil engineering costs.
- The removal of the Veterinary College underground station, originally situated between Ganganagar and Mehkri Circle.
- A total project cost revision now estimated at approximately ₹25,999 crore.
- Benchmarking of performance and expenditure against similar urban rail networks.
The updated Detailed Project Report (DPR) reached the Union government in April after receiving state-level clearance. Despite these adjustments intended to enhance financial viability, the corridor still awaits a final green light from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).
Progress on Phase 3 and Expenditure Statistics
While the Red Line faces uncertainty, the Ministry provided data regarding the broader Phase 3 expansion. The Union government has pledged an equity contribution of ₹1,695 crore for that phase. Current records show that ₹1,077.89 crore has already been disbursed to support implementation. However, for Phase 3A, the intersection of technical scrutiny and budgetary limits continues to define the pace of federal endorsement.
Source: The Hindu — Cities
