Blue Line (Namma Metro)

The Blue Line of Namma Metro is a proposed MRTS line, will be under construction from December 2020 under Phase-2A and from March 2021 under Phase-2B and will form part of Reach-7 (R7) of the metro rail network for the city of Bangalore, Karnataka, India. The 56 km line connects Central Silk Board with Kempegowda International Airport. The Blue Line is mostly elevated but also has an at-grade (surface) section close to Airport and a small underground section where it passes Yelahanka Airport belonging to IAF. There are 30 stations on the line of which the two station/s at the Airport may be on surface or underground. Blue Line will have interchanges with Yellow Line at Central Silk Board terminal station, with Purple Line at KR Puram station and with Pink Line at Nagawara. The extension of Purple Line passing through KR Puram is under construction. Pink Line is also under construction. Just like the Pink and Yellow lines, this train will run on autopilot by CBTC, unlike the current Purple and Green lines which run with a driver inside the train and by distance to go.

Blue Line
Overview
OwnerBangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL)
LocaleBangalore, Karnataka, India
TerminiSilk Board - KR Puram
Kempegowda Int'l Airport
Stations13 + 17
Websitebmrc.co.in
Service
TypeMetro
SystemNamma Metro
Depot(s)Baiyyapanahalli, Doddajala
History
Planned openingMarch 2022 (2022-03)
Technical
Line length56 km (35 mi)
Number of tracks2
CharacterElevated, At Grade, Underground
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification750 V DC third rail

History

The routes under Phase-2A and Phase-2B (Blue Line) were actually part of Phase-3 but 'fast-tracked' and prioritized under Phase-2. As early as in February 2012, the Central government had also requested BMRC to start work on the airport link during Phase 2 itself.[1][2]

The route from Central Silkboard to K R Puram along the eastern part of Outer Ring Road (ORR) was included as Phase-2A since development on that part of ORR had leap-frogged much ahead of the rest of the city with huge number of new office buildings. As a result, traffic increased several fold with employees traveling from different parts of the city to this new CBD. Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah announced in September 2016 that a new 18 km (11 mi) line connecting Central Silk Board with K.R.Puram along ORR would be included in Phase 2 as Phase-2A of the project at an estimated cost of ₹4202 crores.[3][4]

Kempegowda International Airport (opened during May 2008) being very far from city center (about 35 km), commuting time by road in traffic congestion is time consuming. Hence, attention for building a fast mass transit was in the minds of planners from the beginning, especially since air traffic had kept increasing.

To connect airport to city, there had initially been a proposal to build a 33 km (21 mi) high speed rail line from MG Road to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). Cost was estimated at ₹5,767 crore (US$810 million). This was to be executed by an independent SPV - Bangalore Airport Rail Link Limited (BARLL).[5] However, the plan for an exclusive city-airport high speed rail was canceled during October 2013 due to high cost and viability concerns.[6]

It was decided that BMRC would manage the airport rail project and a regular metro line with fewer halts would be built instead of a high speed rail. Following this, suggestions were invited from public during September 2016 to choose any one of nine possible extension routes from existing and proposed metro lines to the airport.[7] The proposed extension routes had an average length of 30 km (19 mi), and cost estimates ranged between ₹4,500 crore and ₹7,000 crore. A 25.9 km (16.1 mi) extension from Nagawara via Kannur and Bagaluru was the shortest, while the 35.4 km (22.0 mi) extension from Yeshwanthpur via Yelahanka, Kannur and Bagaluru was the longest of the proposed routes. BMRC received 1,300 responses from the public.[8] The shortest (25.9 km, 16.1 mi) extension of the Kalena Agrahara (previously Gottigere) – Nagawara line via Kannur and Bagaluru to the airport emerged as the most popular choice.[9] In February 2017, the Centre requested BMRC to start work on the airport link before Phase 3. Thus, the Airport Line was included in Phase 2 as Phase 2B.[10]

Since Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) forbade underground construction from the southern side of the airport (due to security concerns as it would have to pass beneath the airport's second runway), the shortest route options (i.e. extending the Pink line from Nagawara directly north) were eliminated. An alternate route proceeding north till RK Hegde nagar and then turning west to Jakkur and then along Airport Road was explored. Bangalore Development Minister K. J. George announced on 12 May 2017 that the government had finalized the Nagawara-Ramakrishna Hegde Nagar-Jakkur-Yelahanka route to the airport.[11] However, this route had an obstacle as a high-pressure petroleum pipeline was passing through the originally proposed route.[12]

This was changed and on 10 January 2019, the State Cabinet approved a change in alignment for the proposed metro line to the airport. The new line would begin at Krishnarajapura (K.R. Puram) and be aligned along the northern part of ORR (Outer Ring road), passing Kasturinagar, Nagawara, Hebbal, and Jakkur before heading towards the airport. The line would be 38 km long, about 9 km longer than the route previously proposed, estimated to cost ₹10,584 crore (US$1.5 billion).[13]

Tendering

Phase-2A

BMRCL prepared the detailed project report for the proposed Central Silk Board - KR Puram Line and submitted the DPR to the state government on 28 October 2016. Phase 2A was approved by the State Cabinet on 1 March 2017.

Tenders for ORR (east) Metro line were called during February 2018 and IL&FS emerged the lowest bidder for all packages. However, the tenders were quashed due to cash flow problems and bankruptcy proceedings by the selected firm, IL&FS. A second round of tendering was done during December 2019.[14] The project cost was revised to ₹5994 crores.[14] Fresh bids were received by multiple firms during March 2020.[15][16] There are two packages. The first package included 2.84Km of ramps for a flyover at Central Silk board junction in addition to 9.859Km of viaduct with six elevated stations. The second package was for 8.377Km viaduct with seven elevated stations, 1.097 Km depot line and a 0.30 Km pocket track.

As of September 2020, BMRCL was still awaiting central government's approval for Phase-2A.[17][18] Hence tenders have not been awarded yet.

Phase-2B

DPR for the Airport Line had been prepared in September 2017[19][20] and cleared by Government of Karnataka in January 2019.[13]

Tenders for the Airport line were called during July 2020. There are three packages. The first package was for 11.003 km viaduct, including 281 mtrs viaduct beyond phase-2A with eight elevated stations and 650 mtrs link line to Baiyyappanahalli depot. The second package was for 11.678 km viaduct with 250 mtrs pocket track and two elevated stations. The third package was for 15.011 km viaduct, including 718.18 mtrs cut and cover portion in front of Yelahanka Air Force Station. All three packages include road widening, utility diversion and allied works.

Bettadahalasuru station would be built by Embassy group at a cost of ₹140 crore. Kempegowda International Airport is likely to fund the construction of two airport stations off the highway.[21][22] An MoU was signed between BMRC and KIAL for construction of the 4.95 km line and stations entailing an investment of ₹800 crore.

However, approval from Central Government has been delayed and as of September 2020, is still to be received.

Construction

Construction is expected to begin in December 2020 on the Phase 2A section and March 2021 on the Phase 2B section.

Funding

BMRC is raising ₹3500 crore from ADB for construction of the Blue Line (Phase-2A and 2B).[23]

Stations

The Blue Line will have 30 stations.

Blue Line
# Station Name Phase Status Connections Layout
EnglishKannada
1 Central Silk Board ಕೇಂದ್ರ ರೇಷ್ಮೆ ಮಂಡಳಿ Phase 2A Proposed   Yellow Line (Under Construction) Elevated
2 HSR Layout ಎಚ್‌ಎಸ್‌ಆರ್ ವಿನ್ಯಾಸ Phase 2A Proposed Elevated
3 Agara ಅಗರಾ Phase 2A Proposed Elevated
4 Ibbaluru ಇಬ್ಬಾಲೂರು Phase 2A Proposed Elevated
5 Bellandur ಬೆಲ್ಲಂದೂರು Phase 2A Proposed Elevated
6 Kadubeesanahalli ಕಡುಬೀಸನಹಳ್ಳಿ Phase 2A Proposed Elevated
7 Kodibeesanahalli ಕೊಡಿಬೀಸನಹಳ್ಳಿ Phase 2A Proposed Elevated
8 Marathahalli ಮರಾಠಹಳ್ಳಿ Phase 2A Proposed Elevated
9 ISRO ಇಸ್ರೋ Phase 2A Proposed Elevated
10 Doddanekundi ದೊಡ್ಡನೆಕುಂಡಿ Phase 2A Proposed Elevated
11 DRDO Sports Complex ಡಿಆರ್‌ಡಿಒ ಕ್ರೀಡಾ ಸಂಕೀರ್ಣ Phase 2A Proposed Elevated
12 Sarasvathi Nagara ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ನಗರ Phase 2A Proposed Elevated
13 Krishnarajapuram ಕೃಷ್ಣರಾಜಪುರಂ Phase 2A Proposed   Purple Line

KR Puram Railway Station

 Elevated
14 Kasturinagara ಕಸ್ತೂರಿನಗರ Phase 2B Proposed Elevated
15 Horamavu ಹೊರಮಾವು Phase 2B Proposed Elevated
16 HRBR Layout ಎಚ್‌ಆರ್‌ಬಿಆರ್ ವಿನ್ಯಾಸ Phase 2B Proposed Elevated
17 Kalyan Nagar ಕಲ್ಯಾಣ್ ನಗರ Phase 2B Proposed Elevated
18 HBR layout ಎಚ್‌ಬಿಆರ್ ವಿನ್ಯಾಸ Phase 2B Proposed Elevated
19 Nagawara ನಾಗವಾರ Phase 2B Proposed   Pink Line (Under Construction) Elevated
20 Veerannapalya ವೀರನ್ನಪಾಳ್ಯ Phase 2B Proposed Elevated
21 Kempapura ಕೆಂಪಾಪುರ Phase 2B Proposed Elevated
22 Hebbal ಹೆಬ್ಬಾಲ್ Phase 2B Proposed Hebbal TTMC

Hebbal Railway Station

 Elevated
23 Kodigehalli ಕೊಡಿಜೆಹಳ್ಳಿ Phase 2B Proposed Elevated
24 Jakkur Cross ಜಕ್ಕೂರ್ ಕ್ರಾಸ್ Phase 2B Proposed Elevated
25 Yelahanka ಯಲಹಂಕ Phase 2B Proposed Elevated
26 Bagalur Cross ಬಾಗಲೂರು ಕ್ರಾಸ್ Phase 2B Proposed Elevated
27 Bettahalasuru ಬೆಟ್ಟಹಲಸುರು Phase 2B Proposed Elevated
28 Doddajala ತೊಡ್ಡಜಲಾ Phase 2B Proposed Elevated
29 Airport City ವಿಮಾನ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣ ನಗರ Phase 2B Proposed At-Grade
30 KIAL Terminals ಕೆ ಐ ಎ ಎಲ್ ಟರ್ಮಿನಲ್ಸ್ Phase 2B Proposed KIA Airport Underground

See also

References
  1. "DPR for Metro link to BIA in five months". Deccan Herald. 3 November 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  2. "Bangalore Metro Rail yet to decide on route for Airport Line".
  3. "Metro line from Silk Board to KR Puram to be fast-tracked". The Times of India. 15 September 2016. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  4. "KR Puram-Silk Board Metro line gets Cabinet approval". Deccan Herald. 2 March 2017. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  5. "Bangalore High-Speed Rail Link". Railway Technology. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  6. "Cost, viability nix high-speed rail link to Bengaluru International Airport". The Times of India. 19 October 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  7. "Now, suggest a Namma Metro route to the airport". Deccan Herald. 15 September 2016. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  8. "Central funding brightens prospects of metro line to Bengaluru airport". The Hindu. Special Correspondent. 14 January 2017. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 10 September 2020.CS1 maint: others (link)
  9. Kidiyoor, Suchith (7 December 2016). "Bengaluru wants KIA Metro line via Nagawara". Bangalore Mirror. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  10. "Bangalore Metro Rail yet to decide on route for Airport Line – RailNews Media India Ltd". Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  11. "Govt finalises KIA metro link route". Deccan Herald. 13 May 2017. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  12. "Bengaluru Metro airport line to now run through Hebbal". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  13. "Karnataka government clears suburban rail project, Metro to airport". The Times of India. 11 January 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  14. "Bengaluru: Dead lines of Namma Metro". Deccan Herald. 25 January 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  15. "9 Companies Bid for Namma Metro's ORR Project". Urban Railways. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  16. "Namma Metro ORR line tender receives 14 bids". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  17. Singh, Neha (4 June 2020). "BMRCL expecting central nod on ORR Metro Corridor in Next 3 months". Metro Rail News. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  18. Menezes, Naveen. "Bengaluru Metro Corp to Blame for ORR, Airport Lines Delay?". The Economic Times. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  19. "Kempe Gowda International Airport Metro link DPR ready, but for Phase 2 or 3?". Bangalore Mirror. 5 October 2017. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  20. "Bengaluru Metro | BMRC plans two metro stations at Bengaluru Airport". Metro Rail News. 27 September 2017. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  21. "Public-Private Partnership between Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) and Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) for Airport section of the ORR-Airport Metro: Signing of MoU". Public-Private Partnership between Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) and Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) for Airport section of the ORR-Airport Metro: Signing of MoU. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  22. "Embassy Group signs MoU with BMRCL for Bettahalasur Metro Station". Moneycontrol. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  23. "Metro Seeks ₹3.5k cr from ADB - The Economic Times - Bangalore, 2/26/2019". epaper.timesgroup.com. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
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