Bengaluru Metro to float tenders for Phase 3 civil works soon

The much-awaited Phase 3 of Namma Metro is finally set to move forward, with the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) preparing to invite tenders for civil works this month.

Nearly a year after securing approval from the Union Cabinet, the project, popularly known as the Orange Line, is entering a crucial stage of implementation.

A senior BMRCL official confirmed that tenders for the project’s civil components will be invited soon. “We are in the final stages of preparing tender documents. The plan is to issue them in multiple packages covering viaduct construction, station works, track installation, and depot development. Once the bidding process concludes, groundwork is expected to begin by December 2025 or January 2026,” the official said.

The construction will be divided into at least eight contract packages to ensure faster execution and easier coordination among contractors.

Phase 3 of Namma Metro will feature two major corridors spanning a total of 44.65 km with 31 elevated stations. Corridor 1 will cover 32.15 km from J.P. Nagar Phase 4 to Kempapura, while Corridor 2 will cover 12.5 km from Hosahalli to Kadabagere.

The ₹15,611-crore project was officially launched on August 10, 2025, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Yellow Line connecting R.V. Road to Bommasandra and simultaneously laid the foundation stone for Phase 3.

One of the unique features of this phase is the incorporation of double-decker flyovers along select stretches of the corridor.

According to the BMRCL officials, the inclusion of double-decker viaducts required substantial design changes. “These modifications increased the overall height of the alignment, which in turn called for additional road-widening and nearly 25% more land for the station structures,” an official explained.

Deadline

While the project initially aimed for completion by 2029 or mid-2030, the revised deadline now stands at May 2031. “We expect construction to take approximately five and a half years once it starts. The inclusion of double-decker flyovers will add significant long-term value by easing congestion, but it also extends the overall timeline by about a year,” the official added.

The Phase 3 is strategically designed to enhance interconnectivity with existing and upcoming metro lines, ensuring smoother travel across the city. The new corridors will offer multiple interchange points with key lines of the Namma Metro network - Peenya and J.P. Nagar stations on the Green Line, Mysuru Road on the Purple Line, and Sumanahalli on the Hosahalli–Kadabagere corridor.

J.P. Nagar Phase 4 will provide a link to the Pink Line near Bannerghatta Road, while Hebbal will become an important interchange hub connecting the Blue Line towards Kempegowda International Airport and the Red Line running between Hebbal and Sarjapur. These interconnections are expected to significantly improve last-mile access and reduce dependence on road transport for cross-city travel.

Projected ridership

The total estimated cost of the project is ₹15,611 crore. Of this, about ₹7,577 crore will be raised through loans, while approximately ₹450 crore is expected from non-fare revenue sources such as station naming rights, commercial advertising, and property development. The remainder will be financed through budgetary support from both the Central and State governments.

Once operational, the Orange Line will extend metro connectivity to the western stretches of the Outer Ring Road and less-served areas along Magadi Road. The line is projected to carry around 7.85 lakh passengers daily, providing a major relief to commuters.

With the completion of Phase 3, Bengaluru’s metro network will expand to a total length of 222.2 km.