Orange Line may be delayed by a year as double-decker flyovers planned

Bengaluru’s ambitious Phase 3 of Namma Metro, referred to as the Orange Line, could be delayed by at least a year as the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has decided to integrate double-decker flyovers along portions of the corridor. Officials confirmed that this change in design will also push up the overall project cost by around 5%.

On August 10, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the long-pending Yellow Line, which links R.V. Road to Bommasandra, and during the same event, he also laid the foundation stone for Phase 3 of the metro network, an infrastructure project valued at more than ₹15,611 crore.

Phase 3 will cover a total distance of over 44 km with 31 elevated stations. It has been conceived to serve Bengaluru’s growing residential, industrial, educational, and commercial hubs. The project includes two corridors: the first stretching 32.15 km from J.P. Nagar 4th Phase to Kempapura, and the second spanning 12.5 km from Hosahalli to Kadabagere.

Despite receiving all statutory approvals, including clearance from the Union Cabinet in August 2024, the project’s progress has slowed. Officials attribute the delay to design modifications required for the double-decker viaduct. “The changes demand about 25% more land for station structures as the increased height of the alignment necessitates additional road-widening measures,” an official said.

New deadline

Originally, BMRCL had targeted 2029 or mid-2030 for project completion. With the revised plan, the deadline has now been extended to May 2031. According to officials, the project will require around five and a half years to complete once construction begins.

The BMRCL expects to call tenders by November 2025. After finalising the bidding process, groundwork is likely to begin by December 2025 or January 2026. The construction is proposed to be taken up in at least eight tender packages.

A senior BMRCL official said, “We are incorporating double-decker flyovers along specific stretches of Phase 3 to address future road congestion. While this will add significant value by decongesting traffic and optimising space, it also means construction will take an additional year.”

This plan is not new for Bengaluru. The Yellow Line already features a rail-cum-road double-decker flyover near Ragigudda, connecting to the Central Silk Board junction. Commissioned as South India’s first such structure, it serves as a reference point for Phase 3 planning. Officials believe replicating this model on the Orange Line will ensure smoother traffic flow along busy stretches, even as metro operations expand.

Connectivity boost

Phase 3 is designed to strengthen connectivity by offering multiple interchange points with the existing and upcoming lines of Namma Metro. These include Peenya and J.P. Nagar stations on the Green Line, Mysuru Road Station on the Purple Line, and Sumanahalli Station on the Hosahalli–Kadabagere corridor.

J.P. Nagar Phase 4 will connect to the Pink Line at Bannerghatta Road, while Hebbal is expected to serve as a critical junction. Here, commuters will be able to switch to the Blue Line leading to Kempegowda International Airport, as well as the Red Line, which will run between Hebbal and Sarjapur.

The estimated cost of Phase 3 is ₹15,611 crore. Of this, about ₹7,577 crore will be funded through loans, while another ₹450 crore is expected to be raised through revenue sources such as station naming rights and advertising.

Once operational, the Orange Line will extend metro services to the western side of the Outer Ring Road and underserved stretches along Magadi Road. The corridor is projected to handle 7.85 lakh passengers per day. With this addition, the total length of Bengaluru’s metro network will grow to 222.2 km, cementing its position as one of the largest urban metro systems in India.

According to BMRCL officials, preliminary groundwork such as geotechnical surveys has already been completed. Land acquisition is also under way along key portions of the corridor. Officials said, “We are confident that despite the revised deadline, the integration of double-decker flyovers will enhance long-term efficiency and provide much-needed relief to road commuters.”

This is the last story of the Tracking Namma Metro series.