Bengaluru-Tumkur Namma Metro Project: Aarvee Associates To Prepare Feasibility Report For 52.41 km

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has awarded Aarvee Associates Architects Engineers & Consultants Pvt. Ltd. a contract worth Rs. 1.25 crore to prepare a Feasibility Study Report for extending the Bangalore Namma Metro from Madavara (BIEC) to Tumkur (Tumakuru). The contract was awarded on June 29, as per BMRCL's updated website.

This planned 52.41 km Namma metro line to Tumkur will be an elevated extension of the existing 33.53 km Green Line (Anjanapura - Madavara), constructed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The alignment will follow Tumkur Road (National Highway NH-4).

Aarvee Associates will assess and recommend the optimal mode for the line (MRTS, RRTS, MetroNeo), determine the type of construction (elevated, underground), alignment, estimated ridership, station and depot locations, and associated construction costs.

BMRCL invited bids for this consultancy contract in March 2024, with a six-month completion deadline. Technical bids were opened in April, revealing eight bidders, including SYSTRA and RITES.

The final contract value is Rs. 1,25,54,343 under Tender BMRCL/Metro Corridor/Feasibility Study/2024/105. The scope includes the preparation of a Feasibility Study Report for extending the Bangalore Metro Rail Corridor from Madavara (BIEC) to Tumakuru, approximately 52.41 km, under the PPP model.

Nineteen stations are planned along this Namma metro Tumkur line, including Tumakuru Bus Stand, Tumakuru University, Tumakuru, Kyathasandra, Pandithanahalli, Hirehalli, Chikkahalli, Nallayanpalya, Dabaspete, Sompura Industrial Area, Billanakote, Kuluvanahalli, T. Begur, Budhihal, Nelamangala NH, Nelamangala, Dasanpura, and Makali.

With the contract awarded, the feasibility report is expected to be prepared and finalized by Q1 2025. There is a possibility that Aarvee will recommend constructing a semi high-speed RRTS line. Given the length and urban landscape of the proposed route, an RRTS line with stations 4-5 km apart could be ideal, similar to those under construction and planned in Delhi NCR.

Upon approval of the feasibility report, the next steps include creating a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and obtaining necessary approvals, alongside securing funding.

Whether the extension will be an MRTS (metro) or RRTS line, construction is not anticipated to start before 2032. Currently, Phase 3 and Phase 3A projects are awaiting approval from the Central Government's Cabinet and the State Government's Cabinet, respectively.

BMRCL's priority for the next six years will be to complete and operationalise Namma metro Phase 2, Bangalore (Namma) Metro's Phase 2A, and Phase 2B, and coordinate the initiation of construction and systems procurement for Phase 3 and 3A.