Namma Metro Phase 2: My key takeaways

Namma Metro, the mass rapid transit system of Bangalore has become the people's choice in the city considering the terrible traffic we have in the city. Namma Metro has become the travel partner of many people of the city and that too, with just two lines and 41 stations across 42-odd-km-length! As of now, the network we have is the fourth longest in India, but, a year back, it was the second longest after Delhi Metro, but, due to delayed tenders, delayed civil work and negligence of the Government.

Now, Namma Metro is ready to put it's second big step with Phase 2. Namma Metro which caters around 4,00,000 passengers everyday, is set to spread it's wings across the unconnected areas of the city with Phase 2.

So, let's see the timeline of Phase 2. The Government approved Phase 2 in Jan. 2011(Yeah, 8 years back and still not executed!) and asked DMRCL to submit Detailed Project Report(DPR). In-principle clearance was given by High Power Commission(HPC) and Government of Karnataka in Jul. 2011 and Jan. 2012 respectively. The project was cleared by Expenditure Finance Committee(EPC) in Aug. 2013 and was pegged at a cost of ₹ 26,405 crores and the Union Cabinet approval was obtained in Jan. 2014. So, everything was set five years back, yet, we don't have even a single stretch completed! The price escalation is estimated at 5% every year! Experts opined that the estimated cost of the project will reach ₹ 30,000 crore by the time the project will be started! Finally, in Oct. 2018, DyCM of Karnataka announced that the cost will be ₹ 32,000 crores.

Phase 2 in numbers:

1. Number of stations: 61
2. Number of elevated stations: 49
3. Number of underground stations: 12
4. Total length: 72.1 km
5. Total length(Underground): 13.8 km
6. Total length(At grade): 0.5 km
7. Total length(Elevated): 57.8 km
8. Number of stretches: 6
9. Budget: ₹ 32,000 crore(Estimate, 2018)

So, what are the new lines and stretches? Let's see:

1. Nagasandra(Hesaraghatta Cross)-Bangalore International Exhibition Centre(BIEC, near Tumkur Road NICE Jn.)(Extension of existing Green Line on North side): Consists of 3 new stations and is around 3.5 km long. 
2. Mysuru Road-Challaghatta(Kengeri)(Extension of existing Purple Line on West side): Consists of 6 new stations and is around 8.8 km long. 
3. Baiyyappanahalli-Whitefield(Extension of existing Purple Line on East side): Consists of 13 stations and is around 15.5 km long.
4. Yelachenahalli-Anjanapura(Near Kanakapura Road NICE Jn.)(Extension of existing Green Line on South side): Consists of 5 new stations and is 6.3 km long. 
5. Rashtreeya Vidyalaya Road-Bommasandra(Yellow Line): Consists of 16 new stations, around 18.8 km and interchanges with:
1. Existing Green Line at Rashtreeya Vidyalaya Road
2. Upcoming Red Line at Jayadeva Jn.
3. Upcoming ORR Line at Silk Board
6. Gottigere-Nagawara(Red Line): Consists of 18 stations and interchanges with:
1. Existing Purple Line at Mahatma Gandhi Road
2. Indian Railways at Bangalore Cantt.
3. Upcoming Yellow Line at Jayadeva Jn.

Namma Metro: Phase 2 route map

Later, in Sept. 2016, then CM of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, announced a fully elevated, 17 km long line connecting Krishnarajapuram and Silk Board via ORR. This will cover many major areas of Bangalore experiencing heavy traffic everyday. This is allocated under Phase 2A. This will interchange with Indian Railways and existing Purple Line at Krishnarajapuram and upcoming Yellow Line at Silk Board. In January 2019, when the GoK revamped the whole route of connecting Airport(Before, it was planned as an extension of Red Line from Nagawara), connecting Airport from Krishnarajapuram. The new, finalised route is a part of Phase 2B and is expected to be opened to public by 2023. The new line will start from Krishnarajapuram, which will also host Purple Line and ORR Line from Silk Board, traversing beside the ORR through Jn. of Nagawara, Hebbal, Jakkur before reaching Airport. The line will measure at 39.8 km, 8 km longer than the previous finalised alternative. The budget stood at ₹ 10,584 crores, almost double the first plans.

So, if everything goes fine, we can expect entire Phase 2, 2A and 2B to be opened for the public use by 2023-24. But, considering the promptness of BMRCL to keep promises and problems with the State Government and its negligence, anything can happen!

So, what're your thoughts about Phase 2? Let me know through comments!