Bengaluru metro’s Red Line project faces cost reassessment before Centre’s nod

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited’s (BMRCL) Hebbal–Sarjapur stretch, part of its Phase 3A expansion and called the Red Line, is a 36.59-km project intended to link Sarjapur in the city’s southeast with Hebbal in the north, providing connectivity to another major IT corridor in Bengaluru. The project is currently facing a cost reassessment.

According to BMRCL, the line is projected to be the most expensive in Namma Metro’s history, with an estimated cost of ₹28,405 crore, amounting to around ₹776.3 crore per km. The Karnataka Cabinet cleared the proposal in December 2024, and the project is currently under the scrutiny of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

Officials confirmed that the Ministry has returned the Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the State government, citing the need to review the cost as per benchmarking guidelines. As the Centre holds a 50% equity share in Namma Metro, it has asked the State to appoint an independent consultant to reassess and rationalise the expenditure. “We are in the process of re-evaluating the costs with an external consultant as directed,” sources in BMRCL said.

The Red Line is designed to traverse prominent city zones, including Agara, Koramangala, Dairy Circle, Bellandur, St. John’s Hospital, NIMHANS, Central College, Cunningham Road, and Mehkri Circle. Nearly 16.8 km of the line, stretching from Koramangala to Hebbal, will be underground. The elevated portion, running between Sarjapur and Koramangala 3rd Block, will host 15 stations, while the underground section between Koramangala 2nd Block and Veterinary College will comprise 11 stations.

The project’s tentative deadline is December 2030, though officials suggest it may extend to 2031 depending on the timeline of approvals. The Centre’s clearance is expected only by the end of 2025, once the reassessment is completed.

Land acquisition forms a significant part of the project’s expenses, with BMRCL estimating a cost of around ₹8,080 crore for the process. A total of 161.65 acres is required, including 55.69 acres of private land identified near Sarjapur Circle for the proposed depot.

Once operational, the Red Line is expected to substantially ease mobility across tech hubs and residential areas of the city, according to officials.

This is the third story in the series.