Bengaluru metro phase 3 faces delay amid funding and design challenges

Eight months after the Union government approved two key corridors under Bengaluru Metro Phase 3, tenders for civil work are yet to be issued. The corridors - JP Nagar 4th phase to Kempapura (32.1 km) and Hosahalli to Kadabagere  (12.5 km) together span to be a total of 44.6 km. The delay is largely due to the Karnataka government’s push for a double-decker flyover design, despite not releasing the funds required to implement it. This has forced revisions in land acquisition plans and is expected to increase project costs by around Rs 9000 crore. 

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Although announced, the double-decker flyover has neither received formal state cabinet approval nor secured funding. Officials remain hopeful the BBMP will provide financial support. A previous 3.3 km double-decker flyover project opened in 2024 also suffered from lack of funds. 

Meanwhile, Phase 3A which connects Sarjapur to Hebbal awaits Union government approval. Cost overruns are delaying Phase 3, with a 5% cost increase already since approval. Given the time required to award contracts and begin work, the 2029 deadline appears increasingly unrealistic. 

BMRCL is also working with Japan International Cooperation Agency  (JICA) to secure funding, with tenders expected to be floated between July and August. Once completed, Phase 3 will add 44.6 km, serving 7.85 lakh daily commuters and extending the network to 222.2 km with integrated hubs at 10 locations for seamless connectivity.