In a major development towards ensuring extensive metro rail connections in Bengaluru, the Karnataka government has proposed a new metro route from Hebbal and Sarjapur. The 37-kilometer metro corridor at an estimated cost of Rs 150 billion was announced in the latest state budget presented a few days ago.

The proposal of the metro line connecting Sarjapur to Hebbal via Agara, Koramangala and Dairy circle is in its initial stages and is being submitted to the union government for approval.

The new metro line will reduce travel time between the two locations and is expected to reduce traffic congestion.

The government also announced in the meeting that Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) will expand the metro network by 100 kilometers in the coming fiscal year. The recent lines include lines from Baiyappanahalli to Krishnarajapura, Kengeri to Challaghatta, Nagasandra to Modewara and RV road to Bommasandra.

"The total addition of new lines by the end of 2024 will be 27 km. Furthermore, the metro network will be expanded from 70 km to 176 km in the next three years, i.e. 2.5 times the current network coverage. The ongoing works of the airport metro line will be accelerated and it will be operational by 2026," the budget note reads.

In total, the Karnataka government has allocated as much as Rs 300 billion for the Namma metro.