Bengaluru Metro Phase 3A: Red Line Hebbal–Sarjapur DPR Resubmitted After ₹2,920 Crore Cost Cut

Bengaluru's metro network is expanding rapidly, and the much-awaited Namma Metro Red Line (Hebbal-Sarjapur route) under Phase 3A is one of the city's key infrastructure projects. The state government has re-submitted the Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the central government after reducing the overall project cost.

Cost Reduction and Revised DPR

Earlier, the government had submitted a DPR worth ₹28,405 crore to the Centre. However, after feedback from the central government regarding cost efficiency, the revised DPR now stands at ₹25,485 crore - a reduction of ₹2,920 crore. The per-kilometre cost has also dropped from ₹767 crore to ₹688 crore.

The French consultancy firm SYSTRA, appointed by BMRCL, conducted a detailed review to optimise expenses by reducing the length of underground stations while maintaining the total 37-km route and 28 stations.

Approval Status and Next Steps

According to Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, the Union Minister will visit Bengaluru on October 30, during which discussions regarding the Red Line's approval will take place. State officials have already briefed the Prime Minister's Office, and central clearance is now awaited.

If the central government approves the project, Bengaluru's traffic congestion is expected to ease significantly. The Red Line will connect Hebbal in the north to Sarjapur in the southeast, integrating major interchanges - the Blue Line at Hebbal, Purple Line at KR Circle, Pink Line at Dairy Circle, and another Blue Line link at Agar.

Route Map and Metro Stations

The 28 planned stations on the Hebbal-Sarjapur Red Line include:
Hebbal, Ganganagar, Veterinary College, Mekhri Circle, Golf Club, Palace Guttahalli, Basaveshwara Circle, KR Circle, Town Hall, Shantinagar, NIMHANS, Dairy Circle, Koramangala 2nd Block, Koramangala 3rd Block, Jakkasandra, Agara, Ibballur, Bellandur Gate, Kaikondrahalli, Doddakannalli, Carmelaram, Agrahara Road, and Sarjapur.

Expected Completion Date

The final central approval for the Namma Metro Red Line is expected by March 2026, after which construction will commence in full swing. Geotechnical tenders worth ₹6.86 crore have already been floated for preliminary work. Once approved, the project will become a major step forward in solving Bengaluru's long-standing traffic woes and improving connectivity between IT corridors and residential hubs.