Bengaluru's Metro Mission: Centre Awaits Key Approvals

On May 23, 2025, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs and Power, Manohar Lal, reviewed the progress of state-level urban development initiatives in Bengaluru. He was joined by Karnataka’s Minister for Urban Development and Town Planning, Byrathi Suresh, Minister for Municipal Administration, Rahim Khan, and senior officials from both the central and state governments.

During the review, discussions focused on the Bangalore Metro Phase-II project, which is currently under implementation. The Centre is awaiting the Karnataka Cabinet’s formal submission of the revised cost estimate before granting final concurrence.

Regarding the proposed Phase-3A extension—a 37-km corridor with an estimated cost of ₹28,400 crore—the Union Minister stated that an expert agency has been engaged to validate the project's cost assumptions. Once the state responds to these queries, the proposal will be submitted to the Union Cabinet for approval.

Earlier this year, Phase-III of the metro (45 km, ₹15,600 crore) received approval. Currently, Bengaluru operates 75 km of metro lines, with an additional 145 km under construction.

The Union Minister also emphasized the need for Karnataka to expedite legacy waste remediation efforts and to take advantage of the Swachh Bharat Swachh City Assessment and Circularity Initiative (SSASCI) 2025-26 to implement critical urban reforms.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.