Karnataka govt mulls extending Namma Metro to Doddaballapur; proposal under review
Revenue minister Krishna Byregowda informed the state assembly on Tuesday that the proposal to extend metro connectivity to the fast-growing industrial suburb was under active consideration and would be examined during the ongoing revision of the CMP, which was originally prepared in 2020.
New Delhi: The Karnataka government is considering extending Bengaluru's Namma Metro network to Doddaballapur as part of a revision of the city's Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP), a move expected to benefit commuters from the city's northern outskirts and ease traffic congestion.
Revenue minister Krishna Byregowda informed the state assembly on Tuesday that the proposal to extend metro connectivity to the fast-growing industrial suburb was under active consideration and would be examined during the ongoing revision of the CMP, which was originally prepared in 2020.
Govt already initiated the process
Responding on behalf of deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar to a question raised by Doddaballapur BJP MLA Dheeraj Muniraju, the minister said the government had already initiated the process of updating the long-term transport blueprint for the city.
"The proposal to extend Metro services up to Doddaballapur can be considered while revising the Comprehensive Mobility Plan. Once the revised plan is ready, it will be placed before an expert committee for detailed examination," Byregowda said.
Doddaballapur, located about 40 km from Bengaluru in Bengaluru Rural (North) district, has witnessed rapid industrial and residential growth in recent years. A 5,400-acre KWIN (Knowledge, Wellbeing and Innovation Network) City project and the presence of global electronics major Foxconn, which is expected to generate over 45,000 jobs, have increased population and commuting demand in the region.
What happened to earlier draft
An earlier draft of the CMP had proposed a 26-km metro corridor connecting Yelahanka to Doddaballapur via Rajanukunte, but the plan was later dropped and did not feature in the final approved document.
During the assembly discussion, Muniraju reiterated the demand for reviving the proposal, citing rising housing development, industrial activity and daily commuter traffic from the region.
Byregowda also outlined the status of other metro expansion projects, noting that metro connectivity to Kempegowda International Airport under Lines 2A and 2B is currently under construction and is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. While Phase 3 and Phase 3A of Namma Metro have already been approved, the Doddaballapur corridor is not part of the current expansion plans.