Orange Line could also be delayed by a 12 months as double-decker flyovers deliberate

Bengaluru’s bold Phase 3 of Namma Metro, known as the Orange Line, might be delayed by no less than a 12 months because the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has determined to combine double-decker flyovers alongside parts of the hall. Officials confirmed that this modification in design will even push up the general challenge price by round 5%.

On August 10, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the long-pending Yellow Line, which hyperlinks R.V. Road to Bommasandra, and through the identical occasion, he additionally laid the inspiration stone for Phase 3 of the metro community, an infrastructure challenge valued at greater than ₹15,611 crore.

Phase 3 will cowl a complete distance of over 44 km with 31 elevated stations. It has been conceived to serve Bengaluru’s rising residential, industrial, academic, and business hubs. The challenge consists of two corridors: the primary stretching 32.15 km from J.P. Nagar 4th Phase to Kempapura, and the second spanning 12.5 km from Hosahalli to Kadabagere.

Despite receiving all statutory approvals, together with clearance from the Union Cabinet in August 2024, the challenge’s progress has slowed. Officials attribute the delay to design modifications required for the double-decker viaduct. “The modifications demand about 25% extra land for station buildings because the elevated peak of the alignment necessitates extra road-widening measures,” an official mentioned.

New deadline

Originally, BMRCL had focused 2029 or mid-2030 for challenge completion. With the revised plan, the deadline has now been prolonged to May 2031. According to officers, the challenge would require round 5 and a half years to finish as soon as building begins.

The BMRCL expects to name tenders by November 2025. After finalising the bidding course of, groundwork is prone to start by December 2025 or January 2026. The building is proposed to be taken up in no less than eight tender packages.

A senior BMRCL official mentioned, “We are incorporating double-decker flyovers alongside particular stretches of Phase 3 to handle future street congestion. While this may add important worth by decongesting site visitors and optimising house, it additionally means building will take an extra 12 months.”

This plan is just not new for Bengaluru. The Yellow Line already incorporates a rail-cum-road double-decker flyover close to Ragigudda, connecting to the Central Silk Board junction. Commissioned as South India’s first such construction, it serves as a reference level for Phase 3 planning. Officials consider replicating this mannequin on the Orange Line will guarantee smoother site visitors movement alongside busy stretches, whilst metro operations develop.

Connectivity enhance

Phase 3 is designed to strengthen connectivity by providing a number of interchange factors with the prevailing and upcoming traces of Namma Metro. These embrace Peenya and J.P. Nagar stations on the Green Line, Mysuru Road Station on the Purple Line, and Sumanahalli Station on the Hosahalli–Kadabagere hall.

J.P. Nagar Phase 4 will hook up with the Pink Line at Bannerghatta Road, whereas Hebbal is anticipated to function a essential junction. Here, commuters will be capable to swap to the Blue Line resulting in Kempegowda International Airport, in addition to the Red Line, which is able to run between Hebbal and Sarjapur.

The estimated price of Phase 3 is ₹15,611 crore. Of this, about ₹7,577 crore can be funded by means of loans, whereas one other ₹450 crore is anticipated to be raised by means of income sources akin to station naming rights and promoting.

Once operational, the Orange Line will lengthen metro providers to the western facet of the Outer Ring Road and underserved stretches alongside Magadi Road. The hall is projected to deal with 7.85 lakh passengers per day. With this addition, the full size of Bengaluru’s metro community will develop to 222.2 km, cementing its place as one of many largest city metro programs in India.

According to BMRCL officers, preliminary groundwork akin to geotechnical surveys has already been accomplished. Land acquisition can also be beneath manner alongside key parts of the hall. Officials mentioned, “We are assured that regardless of the revised deadline, the mixing of double-decker flyovers will improve long-term effectivity and supply much-needed reduction to street commuters.”

This is the final story of the Tracking Namma Metro collection.