Bengaluru: The Karnataka cabinet on Thursday approved the long-pending ₹9,700-crore double-decker viaduct plan for Metro Phase 3, paving the way for civil works to begin in early 2025 after months of delay.

Two key corridors

Under the plan, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) will build elevated metro lines stacked above flyovers along two major stretches:

  • JP Nagar 4th Phase to Kempapura (via ORR west): A 28.486-km flyover, set to become Bengaluru’s longest.
  • Hosahalli to Kadabagere (Magadi Road): An 8.635-km flyover.

Together, the corridors will cover 37.121 km, combining metro lines and roadways in a first-of-its-kind project for the city.

Funding and cost sharing

Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said the ₹9,700-crore allocation includes civil works, land acquisition, and design.

  • The Union government will fund only metro construction.
  • The state government will bear 50% of flyover costs.
  • Urban local bodies will contribute 10%.
  • The remaining 40% will be raised via loans.

The state has already earmarked ₹4,000 crore in the 2025-26 budget for Namma Metro, part of which will fund this project.

Timeline and delays

Originally proposed as a 44.65-km stretch, the double-decker length has now been cut to 37.121 km.

  • The Union cabinet cleared Phase 3 on August 16, 2024.
  • Tenders for the first four packages (stations + viaducts) will be floated later this month.
  • Contractors will get 45–60 days, with finalisation expected by mid-November 2025.
  • Groundwork may begin in January 2025.

However, the double-decker plan has already caused delays, pushing completion to May 2031—six months later than planned. The revised estimate is 5% higher than the original ₹15,611 crore cost.