Bengaluru is poised to enhance its metro infrastructure with the construction of its longest double-decker flyover as part of the Namma Metro Phase 3 project. The Karnataka cabinet has approved the ₹9,700-crore double-decker viaduct project, paving the way for civil works to commence after months of delays. This ambitious project, led by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), will integrate elevated metro lines with flyovers along two crucial corridors, marking a first-of-its-kind infrastructure endeavor for the city.
The double-decker viaducts will span a total of 37.121 km. The first corridor, set to be the longest flyover in Bengaluru, will stretch 28.486 km from JP Nagar 4th Phase to Kempapura along the western stretch of the Outer Ring Road (ORR). The second corridor will cover 8.635 km, connecting Hosahalli to Kadabagere on Magadi Road. This design aims to ease traffic congestion on these busy routes while also improving connectivity across the city. The metro lines will be stacked above the flyovers.
The approved ₹9,700-crore budget covers civil works, land acquisition, design, and other related expenses. Funding for the project will come from multiple sources. The Union government will exclusively fund the metro lines, while the state government will bear 50% of the flyover costs. Urban local bodies will contribute 10%, and the remaining 40% will be secured through loans. The state government has already allocated ₹4,000 crore in the 2025-26 budget for Namma Metro, a portion of which will be allocated to this double-decker project.
While the initial plan envisioned a 44.65 km double-decker stretch, it has been trimmed down to 37.121 km. The Union cabinet had approved Phase 3 on August 16, 2024, but the modifications required for the double-decker design caused delays in implementation. A senior BMRCL official confirmed that the ORR's western section already has several flyovers that will be repurposed into the double-decker. However, the Delmia Junction flyover will likely be demolished.
Tenders for the first four packages of the project, encompassing both stations and viaducts, are expected to be issued in late September. Contractors will have between 45 and 60 days to submit their bids, with the finalization process anticipated to conclude by mid-November.
Civil works are projected to commence in early 2025. However, the delays attributed to the double-decker plan have pushed the project's completion timeline by approximately six months. Phase 3 is now slated for completion by May 2031, instead of the originally projected 2030, with an estimated cost increase of 5% over the initial ₹15,611 crore estimate.
