Bengaluru Metro Phase 3 Heads for Retendering After Double-Decker Plan Cut

Post by : Saif

Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) may invite fresh civil-work tenders for Metro Phase 3 within the next 45 days after reducing the planned double-decker sections to around 11 km of the 44.65-km network.

BMRCL is expected to withdraw the civil-work tenders issued in January 2026 and revise the project cost and design before starting the new tender process. The changes follow the decision to drop the earlier plan for an end-to-end double-decker structure.

Phase 3 Network and Corridors

Bengaluru Metro Phase 3 was approved by the Union government in August 2024 at an estimated cost of ₹15,611 crore. The project covers about 44.65 km and includes 31 stations across two corridors.

The first corridor will connect JP Nagar 4th Phase with Kempapura and will run along the western section of the Outer Ring Road. The second corridor will connect Hosahalli with Kadabagere along Magadi Road.

The project is targeted for completion by 2029.

Double-Decker Plan Reduced to Around 11 km

Karnataka had earlier proposed an end-to-end double-decker arrangement for Phase 3. Under this plan, road flyovers would have been built below the Metro viaduct to use limited urban space more efficiently.

The plan has now been reduced, with double-decker structures expected to cover around 11 km of the network. State government officials have given in-principle approval for the revised arrangement.

The change is linked to concerns over the cost and wider transport impact of building road infrastructure along the entire Metro corridor.

Existing and Proposed Double-Decker Sections

Around 3 km of double-decker structures are already part of the sanctioned Phase 3 plan. This includes about 1.4 km near Kanakapura Road junction and 1.6 km at Kamakya Junction.

Another 8 km is being considered at major traffic bottlenecks. Goraguntepalya is among the locations being examined. One proposal involves using a cut-and-cover underground road section while keeping the Metro viaduct above.

Read more: Metro Rail Records Highest-Ever Annual Ridership at 11 Crore

Fresh Tenders After Design Changes

BMRCL had invited civil-work tenders in January 2026 for around 18.5 km of the Orange Line, divided into three packages.

Those tenders are expected to be withdrawn because the project design has changed. BMRCL will first update the design, revise the estimated cost and secure the required approvals before inviting fresh bids.

Concerns Over the Earlier Design

The earlier end-to-end double-decker proposal faced questions over construction costs, road infrastructure requirements, Metro ridership and the long-term economic value of combining road and Metro structures.

Officials also considered issues related to safety, operations, traffic movement and land requirements. The revised approach is expected to retain double-decker structures mainly at locations where they may provide greater value.

Phase 3 Construction Timeline

Karnataka approved the Phase 3 corridors in November 2022, while the Union government cleared the project in August 2024. The foundation stone ceremony for the Orange Line was held on August 10, 2025.

However, civil-work orders have not yet been issued for the affected packages. The new tender process will depend on completion of design changes, cost revisions and government approvals.

Future Double-Decker Metro Projects

BMRCL is also examining an end-to-end double-decker design for the proposed 37-km Hebbal-Sarjapur Metro corridor. The agency has asked IIT Roorkee to study the proposal.

The estimated revised cost of that corridor is around ₹25,999 crore. Experience from Phase 3 could help authorities assess the cost, traffic impact, land requirements and operational issues involved in combining road and Metro infrastructure.

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