Rs 20k cr and 16 stations: Karnataka's 1st inter-dist Metro takes shape

BENGALURU: BMRCL has submitted a detailed project report (DPR) for extending Namma Metro to Tumakuru. Once implemented, the network would become the state's first inter-district Metro corridor.

Sources said the DPR proposes two implementation models for the 60km corridor - one to be executed directly by BMRCL at an estimated cost of Rs 18,000 crore, and another under a public-private partnership (PPP) model at around Rs 20,000 crore.

The proposed Metro line will extend from Madavara (BIEC) Metro station, the current terminal of the Green Line, and pass through Nelamangala, Dabaspet and Kyathasandra before reaching Tumakuru.

An official said the corridor is planned with 16 stations, and the project is expected to reduce the travel time between Bengaluru and Tumakuru to one hour. After crossing Kyathasandra, there are proposals to build Metro stations at Tumakuru University, Siddaganga Medical College, Tumakuru Bus Stand and a terminal station at Sira Gate.

"When the feasibility report was submitted, there were proposals to build 25 stations on this line, and now it has been reduced to 16. The urban development department (UDD) will review the DPR, and if there are directions to further reduce the number of stations, we will have to do so. This will help in reducing travel time further."

"People are making comparisons with various other modes of transport. To make the corridor effective, the Metro should reach Tumakuru faster. When stations are located at a distance of 4-5km, the average speed of operations will obviously increase and thereby reduce travel time," the official said.

It is estimated that the corridor will have a ridership of 3 lakh per day.

The official said the Metro alignment has been planned to cater to residential and industrial pockets from Nelamangala and Dabaspet. At many locations, the elevated line will run parallel to the service road of Tumakuru Road (NH 48).

Home and Tumakuru district in-charge minister G Parameshwara told media persons that there has been a persistent effort to extend Namma Metro to Tumakuru.

He said the state govt is now considering implementing the project under a PPP model. "The DPR will be placed before the cabinet for discussion and necessary approvals, following which an expression of interest will be invited," the minister said.

A source in BMRCL said, "If the state govt decides to implement the project under the PPP model, additional land acquisition will be required for commercial development and revenue generation for the investor.

The private concessionaire will also have to raise funds at prevailing market interest rates, which are significantly higher than the long-term external loans typically secured by BMRCL from multilateral funding agencies. Due to these and other financial factors, the overall project cost under the PPP model is Rs 2,000 crore higher compared to execution through a special purpose vehicle such as BMRCL."

Meanwhile, many people have objected to a Namma Metro extension to Tumakuru. Instead, they have suggested that the two cities should be connected through a regional rapid transit system (RRTS), suburban rail system or other cost-effective mass transit systems.