As the Karnataka government plans to expand Namma Metro to nearby towns, there is growing advocacy for a more efficient alternative — the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS). Bangalore Central MP P C Mohan has urged the railways to conduct feasibility studies for RRTS corridors connecting Bengaluru to Mandya-Mysuru, Ramanagara, Tumakuru, and Kolar.
Mohan argued that extending metro lines to towns like Tumakuru, Hosur, Hoskote, and Bidadi may be influenced more by real estate speculation than genuine connectivity needs. “Such announcements often lead to artificial hikes in land prices,” he noted, stating that RRTS is a more appropriate solution for regional travel.
With high-speed, point-to-point connectivity, limited stops, and dedicated tracks, RRTS offers faster and more reliable long-distance commuting. Mohan said the metro is better suited for intra-city travel and confirmed that Union Minister of State for Railways, V Somanna, has responded positively to his proposal.
India’s first RRTS — Delhi to Meerut — covers 82 km with 25 stations and reduces travel time to under 60 minutes. Trains operate at an average speed of 100 kmph on standard gauge tracks, unlike the slower metro system that runs at 34 kmph on 750V DC.
Meanwhile, K-RIDE has proposed Phase 2 of the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project (BSRP), covering six additional corridors linking Bengaluru to satellite towns. Experts like Satya Arikutaram recommend optimising existing rail infrastructure rather than constructing overlapping corridors, aligning with sustainable and cost-effective mobility planning.
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