Amid widespread public criticism, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) on Sunday invited tenders to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for extending metro services to Tumakuru, starting from Madavara on the existing Green Line.
The proposed 59.60 km line will include 25 stations in the northern part of the city. According to the State government’s earlier Budget estimates, the project will cost ₹20,649 crore. Interested contractors must submit their tender documents by November 20, and the bids will be opened the following day.
This move follows Home Minister G. Parameshwara’s announcement that the government had accepted a feasibility report prepared by Hyderabad-based Aarvee Associates Architects Engineers & Consultants Pvt. Ltd. BMRCL had submitted the report to the government in May this year. The proposed extension falls under Namma Metro’s Phase 4, which primarily focuses on extending existing lines.
However, the project has triggered widespread debate over the need for such an expensive initiative when multiple other agencies are already working on improving connectivity to Tumakuru, which lies about 70 km from the city centre.
Railway Infrastructure Development Company Karnataka (K-RIDE) has proposed a suburban link to Tumakuru, and South Western Railway also has plans to expand infrastructure to improve connectivity between the two districts.
