Namma Metro Phase 3A Line Advances To Cabinet For Approval: Big Win For 36-km Sarjapur-Hebbal Connectivity

Namma Metro's Phase 3A, an essential infrastructure project connecting Sarjapur to Hebbal via the city center, has achieved a major milestone with in-principle approval from the state Finance Department. Spanning 36.59 km, this line is set to enhance connectivity between southern and northern Bengaluru. According to a DH report, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is expected to reach the state cabinet for review by the end of the month.

The project, projected at Rs 28,405 crore, received swift clearance, with the Finance Department approving it in under three weeks after the Urban Development Department (UDD) granted its administrative consent. LK Atheeq, Additional Chief Secretary (Finance), confirmed that the DPR was approved without modifications, as the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) complied with standard policies.

The approval was accelerated partly due to the absence of a double-decker (road-cum-metro) proposal on this line. Phase 3A will feature 17 elevated and 11 underground stations, along with four key interchanges at Iblur on the Outer Ring Road (Blue Line), Dairy Circle on Bannerghatta Road (Pink Line), KR Circle (Purple Line), and Hebbal (Blue and Orange lines).

After the Bengaluru Development Minister and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar reviews the DPR, it will move to the state cabinet for final approval before being submitted to the Union government, which is expected to cover at least 20% of the project's cost.

A substantial portion of the budget-about Rs 5,000 crore-will be allocated for land acquisition, officials noted. A key consideration in planning was avoiding conflict with the BBMP's proposed 18-km tunnel road project, which is still in the concept phase. Hebbal, originally earmarked by Namma Metro for a depot, had been a point of contention as it was also proposed as the exit point for the tunnel road. However, officials confirmed that this issue has been resolved.