Namma Metro’s Phase 3, detailed in a freshly published Project Report (DPR), will necessitate the removal or relocation of 11,137 trees. This new phase, known as the Orange Line, spans 44.65 kilometers and consists entirely of elevated tracks. It aims to connect the western Outer Ring Road (ORR) and the outskirts along Magadi Road.
Expected to be operational by 2029, the line will accommodate 7.85 lakh commuters daily, boosting Bengaluru’s metro network to 222.2 km. Although Phase 3 has secured necessary approvals, including a nod from the union cabinet in August 2024, construction has been delayed. The revisions involve integrating double-decker flyovers, serving both metro and road traffic.
These dual-purpose flyovers, priced at Rs 120 crore per kilometer, will require Rs 5,358 crore for the 44.65-km corridor. The funding is set to come from Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) or the state government, pending final state cabinet approval.
The Orange Line promises to enhance connectivity to distant Bengaluru neighborhoods, while concerns linger over the environmental impact of extensive tree-felling. Sustainability advocates are urging mitigation measures to balance development and ecological preservation.
This ambitious project underscores the city’s push toward improved urban mobility, yet it sparks a call for greener infrastructure solutions.
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