BMRCL

Namma Metro

Kempegowda International Airport

KIA

Pradeep Singh Kharola

Nagawara

Hebbal

Yelahanka

Bellahalli

Mehkri

Bagaluru

KR Puram

Budigere

Singahalli

Bengaluru Development Authority

BDA

Basaveshwara Circle

Siddaramaiah

The, which has proposed the extension of theto), is seeking suggestions from the public on the most viable route.Based on a study report from RITES, BMRCL has provided nine possible alignments to the airport (see box), located 35 kilometers from the heart of the city.BMRCL MD,, said, “We will compile all suggestions received from the general public. Experts will then review them and a report will be submitted to the government. The government will then take the final call.”The information on the alignments, with maps, has already been made available on the BMRCL’s official website. BMRCL, however, has not fixed a time limit for the public to render their opinion, and there is no clarity on whether the project will be part of Phase 2.Among the alternative alignments suggested, the line starting fromthrough, and Trumpet junction is the cheapest option. Building a metro line on that alignment will cost Rs4,656 crore.The second most economical line is from Nagawara throughand Yelahanka, at a cost of Rs 4,848 crore. The third most economical line runs fromcircle through Hebbal and Yelahanka, with a cost of Rs 5,024 crore.The longest line suggested by RITES is from Yeshwan-thpur through Yelahanka, Kannur and, with a length of 35.4 kilometres; followed by the line fromthroughand, at 31.9 kilometres.The BMRCL proposed the metro link to the airport after the state government shelved plans to build a high-speed rail link, citing high costs. The BMRCL’s proposed alignment -- from MG Road through Mehkri circle, Hebbal and Yelahanka – however, runs into the’s () proposed steel flyover fromto Hebbal.Dragging its feet for months, the government finally announced that the foundation stone for the steel bridge would be laid in October. The bridge is expected to not only decongest traffic, but help commuters reach KIA swiftly.“Initially the estimated cost was Rs1,800 cr, but negotiations are still on and we will get a clear picture on the cost by the end of this month. In October we will lay the foundation stone for the project,”said.BMRCL has been working on the final metro alignment for the last five years.When it was initially proposed that the metro be extended from Nagawara to KIA, it was estimated the project would cost an estimated Rs4,000 crore.Out of the nine proposed alignments, five start from Nagwara. Nagawara will get a metro link under Phase 2, with a new link starting in Gottigere. The BMRCL is also building a 13-kilometer underground stretch, starting from Dairy Circle to Nagawara. To connect the network from Nagawara, BMRCL has to first complete the underground stretch. Going by its track record, this could take years.