Namma Metro Expansion To Tumakuru And Devanahalli; Tunnel Road In Hebbal Planned

The Karnataka budget for 2024-2025 includes plans to expand the Bengaluru Metro to Tumakuru and Devanahalli, as well as the construction of a tunnel road in Hebbal.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced, "The feasibility report for extending the Metro rail from Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) to Tumakuru and Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) to Devanahalli on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) basis will be prepared."

The Nagasandra-BIEC (Green Line) Metro section, spanning 3 km, is expected to start operations in a few months, with the extension to Tumakuru (approximately 50 km) aimed at boosting real estate in the northwest of Bengaluru.

Home Minister G Parameshwara, the MLA from the Koratagere assembly segment, has advocated for extending the Metro to Tumakuru. However, experts suggest that extending the suburban rail from Chikkabanavara to Tumakuru could be a more viable option.

Additionally, the Metro rail will be extended from KIA to Devanahalli, covering approximately 15 km, which will benefit the northern part of Bengaluru. The KSR Bengaluru City - Yelahanka - Devanahalli corridor of the suburban rail will also connect Devanahalli.

In addressing traffic congestion, the state government plans to construct underground tunnels in Bengaluru. Siddaramaiah stated, "Widening of existing roads is difficult due to scarcity of land and problems in land acquisition. In this backdrop, the state government has decided to resolve traffic congestion in the city by constructing underground tunnels. On a pilot basis, a tunnel will be constructed this year at Hebbal junction where there is high traffic congestion."