No New Bengaluru Metro Construction for 4.5 Years as Hebbal Line Faces Delays

Bengaluru Metro expansion projects have hit a complete standstill, with no new construction starting in the city for over four and a half years. This prolonged delay directly impacts the proposed 37-kilometre Sarjapur-Hebbal corridor, which remains stalled in the government approval pipeline alongside other major transit phases.

The last metro project to begin physical execution in the city was the extended Airport Line from KR Pura to KIA, where construction commenced in early 2022 after contracts were awarded in November 2021 by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). Since then, regulatory and government approval delays have prevented any new corridors from breaking ground.

The proposed Phase IIIA, which includes the Sarjapur-Hebbal line, was first introduced in 2023 and received state government approval in December 2024. The planned corridor features a 14.3-kilometre underground section and a 23.52-kilometre elevated stretch.

The project has faced setbacks during central government scrutiny after being submitted to the Centre in January 2025. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) suggested redesigning underground stations to cut costs and recommended removing a proposed station near the Veterinary College on Ballari Road. These changes reduced the estimated project cost from Rs 28,405 crore to Rs 25,999 crore.

Additionally, MoHUA expressed reservations regarding the state’s proposal for a double-decker structure, prompting BMRCL to commission IIT Roorkee to study the feasibility of the transit concept. While some initial tenders have been floated, the line still awaits final clearance.

Another major project stuck in the pipeline is the Phase III Orange Line, which includes the JP Nagar 4th Phase-Kempapura and Hosahalli-Kadabagere corridors. Despite receiving state approval in November 2022 and central approval in August 2024 for Rs 15,611 crore, the project was delayed after the state proposed an additional Rs 9,700-crore double-decker flyover. BMRCL is currently awaiting clearance for this revised structure after engaging RITES for a study in January 2026.

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar recently visited New Delhi to urge central authorities to expedite the pending approvals.