BMRCL plans 105-km long Phase-3 corridor

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation is all set to start work on a DPR for the 105-km long Phase 3 metro corridor, for which it has identified three Metrolite lines including Magadi Road Toll Gate to Kadabagere (13 km), Whitefield– Domlur (16 km), and Katamnallur Gate (near Hoskote) – Sarjapur Road-Hebbal (52km). This phase also includes a 34-km subterranean Inner Ring route from Hebbal to JP Nagar (ORR-West). As part of the Phase 3 project, BMRCL had previously proposed routes such as Carmelaram – Yelahanka, Marathahalli – Hosakerehalli, Bommasandra – Attibele, Gottigere – Basavanapura, RK Hegde Nagar – Aerospace Park, and Kogilu Cross – Rajanukunte. Two highways that traverse through the core city areas, Hoskerehalli-Marathahalli and Yelahanka-Carmelaram should be restored. The Hosakerehalli-Marathahalli line will run through Old Airport Road through HAL, Domlur, and Town Hall. At the same time, the Yelahanka-Carmelaram corridor will service Hebbal, Shanthinagar, Dairy Circle, Forum Mall, Koramangala, Iblur, and Carmelaram. However, BMRCL has put these two critical routes on hold to make room for the contentious elevated corridor project. Metro should focus within BBMP/BDA borders, according to BMRCL, and suburban rail should be extended to surrounding districts and satellite towns. For example, a spider-web-like Metro network is required in a circular metropolis like Bengaluru but on the other hand government agencies focus on the outskirts rather than decongesting very dense central city regions. As a result, the city will be decongested more by expanding the Metro network than by road widening and flyover projects.