ADB Approves USD 500 Million for Bengaluru Metro
Asian Development Bank (ADB), regional development bank headquartered in Metropolitan Manila, Philippines on 8th December 2020 approved a loan amount of around USD 500 million (roughly about ₹3,500 crore) for construction of two new metro lines in Bengaluru, capital city of Karnataka, India.
Bengaluru Metro’s Two New Lines
Envisaging the increasing population of Bengaluru which is estimated to reach over 16 million by 2030, Bengaluru Metro Rail (Namma Metro) is establishing two new metro rail lines (Phase 2A & 2B).
The two new metro lines will cover a total length of around 56 Km which shall be along the Outer Ring Road and National Highway 44 between Central Silk Board and Kempegowda International Airport (KIAL). The lines shall be having 30 metro stations which will include multimodal facilities, such as taxi stands, motorcycle pools, pedestrian walkways, bus bays, and bridges.
Out of the total, 18.236 Km (Phase 2A) elevated line shall be connecting KR Puram with Central Silkboard along the outer ring road having 13 stations. 37 Km (Phase 2B) metro line shall be an airport-link from Bengaluru city to KIAL having 17 stations.
These projects are estimated to be competed by 2027.
Commenting on the same Kaoru Kasahara, ADB Senior Transport Specialist for South Asia said, “This will enhance the economy, improve the urban environment, and make the city more livable. The project supports urban transformation of Bengaluru city through a multidimensional approach of urban public transport and urban development” as reported in press release of ADB dated 8th December 2020.
Recent Developments on the New Lines
For civil works relating to 18.23 Km line connecting KR Puram with Central Silkboard (Phase 2A) following had emerged lowest bidders recently in October 2020:
- Afcons Infrastructure Ltd. has emerged as the lowest bidder for civil work related to Silkboard – Kodibeesanahalli route which includes a 9.859 Km viaduct, 6 elevated stations and a roughly 2.84 Km long flyover with loops at Central Silkboard.
- Shankaranarayana Constructions Pvt. Ltd. emerged as the lowest bidder for civil work related to Kodibeesanahalli – KR Puram route which includes a 8.377 Km viaduct, 7 elevated stations, a 1.097 km depot-line linking to the existing Baiyapanahalli Depot and a 0.30 Km pocket track.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is currently evaluating a USD 318 million loan (approximately Rs 2345 crore) for co-financing the two new lines (Phase 2A & 2B) for which ADB has granted USD 500 million loan on 8th December 2020.
ADB has also granted an additional USD 2 million technical assistance to the state government to “formulate urban development plans and their implementing frameworks, focusing on transit-oriented development and multimodal integration. This will also strengthen the capacity of the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited”, as mentioned in press release of ADB dated 8th December 2020.
Bengaluru Metro
Currently, Bengaluru metro has two operational lines namely Purple Line and Green Line covering a total distance of 42.3 Km with 40 stations. A total distance of 72.1km is under construction which includes extension work of green and purple line, along with new yellow line and new pink line and is expected to be fully operational by 2024.
About ADB: It is a regional development bank, established in 1966 with headquarters in Metro Manila, Philippines, and has 31 field offices around the globe. ADB helps developing Asian countries meet their energy security needs & facilitate a transition to a low-carbon economy.