Bengaluru metro network to reach 175 km by December 2027: D.K. Shivakumar

As metro works in Bengaluru continue at a slow pace, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday announced that the city’s metro rail network will expand to 175 km by December 2027.

Addressing a press conference after reviewing the progress of metro works with officials of the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), Mr. Shivakumar, who also holds the Bengaluru Development portfolio, said that Bengaluru currently has 96 km of operational metro lines. He pointed out that the Yellow Line was made operational after the present government assumed office and has already begun showing tangible benefits.

“The 19.15-km Yellow Line is witnessing a daily footfall of nearly one lakh passengers. As per police data, traffic congestion on roads along the Yellow Line corridor has reduced by about 30%,” he said, adding that the metro has emerged as a reliable alternative to private vehicles for thousands of commuters.

Outlining the expansion roadmap, the Deputy Chief Minister said that 41 km of new metro lines would be commissioned in 2026, followed by another 38 km, including the much-awaited Airport Line by December 2027. “With this, Bengaluru’s metro network will reach 175 km. We also have plans to extend metro connectivity to Tavarekere, Hosakote, Bidadi, and Nelamangala, for which detailed project reports are currently being prepared,” he said.

Phase 3 tender to be called in January 2026

A major highlight of the announcement was the long-pending Phase 3 of Namma Metro finally moving into the execution stage. Mr. Shivakumar said that tenders for the Phase 3 project, which includes a double-decker corridor, would be called as early as next month. “We have expedited Phase 3 to ease traffic congestion. Officials have been instructed to create commercial activity near metro stations by acquiring additional land. Adequate parking facilities will also be provided at stations,” he said.

According to Mr. Shivakumar, the projected cost of Phase 3 is ₹25,311 crore, of which ₹15,600 crore will be financed through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Tenders for works worth about ₹9,700 crore are expected to be floated in January. The project, popularly referred to as the Orange Line, is entering a crucial phase nearly a year after receiving the Union Cabinet approval.

Entire Phase 3 stretch double-decker corridor

Responding to a question, Mr. Shivakumar said, “The entire Phase 3 will be in double decker format. We have decided to make the Magadi Road stretch also a double decker project as vehicular traffic from Hassan comes via Magadi Road.”

The Phase 3 will consist of two elevated corridors with a combined length of 44.65 km and 31 stations. The Corridor 1 will run for 32.15 km from J.P. Nagar Phase 4 to Kempapura, while Corridor 2 will span 12.5 km from Hosahalli to Kadabagere.

The project was officially launched on August 10, 2025, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Yellow Line between R.V. Road and Bommasandra and laid the foundation stone for Phase 3. Although initially targeted for completion by 2029 or mid-2030, the revised deadline is now May 2031.

Once operational, the Orange Line is expected to significantly improve connectivity to western Bengaluru and under-served areas along Magadi Road, with a projected daily ridership of about 7.85 lakh passengers, offering substantial relief to commuters.