Hebbal tunnel road to cost 1.5 times more per kilometer than Namma Metro Phase 3A

On Monday, newly released public documents revealed that the proposed 16.75-kilometer tunnel road connecting KR Puram to Hebbal will cost 1.5 times more per kilometer to build than the Namma Metro Phase 3A Red Line.

A comparison of the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) highlights a stark contrast in construction costs for the two major transit projects heading to Hebbal, with the Metro emerging as the significantly cheaper option per kilometer.

According to the newly available DPR for the Namma Metro Phase 3A, the 37.80-kilometer rail line connecting Sarjapur to Hebbal is estimated to cost Rs 25,999 crore. This translates to approximately Rs 687 crore per kilometer. The proposed Metro corridor will feature 27 stations in total, comprising 23.524 kilometers of elevated viaduct with 17 stations and 14.28 kilometers of underground sections with 10 stations.

In contrast, the proposed 16.75-kilometer tunnel road is estimated to cost Rs 17,780 crore, which amounts to Rs 1,061 crore per kilometer. Project developers warn that completion costs could escalate by up to 45 percent, potentially driving the final cost of the tunnel road to approximately Rs 1,538 crore per kilometer.

The financial differences extend beyond construction costs to the daily expenses for local commuters. While a ride on the Namma Metro Phase 3A is projected to have a maximum fare of Rs 90, commuters using the proposed tunnel road are expected to pay a round-trip toll exceeding Rs 600. Additionally, the tunnel road will not be open to all types of vehicles.

The Metro project's cost estimate has already undergone changes before reaching its current figure. In December 2024, the state cabinet initially approved the Phase 3A DPR at Rs 28,405 crore, or Rs 776.3 crore per kilometer, making it the costliest Metro phase proposed in Bengaluru.

However, after the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs flagged the estimate for being significantly above benchmark norms, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) adjusted the plans. BMRCL dropped the proposed Veterinary College station due to low ridership projections, bringing the overall estimate down to Rs 25,999 crore.

While both infrastructure projects are designed to serve the same travel corridor connecting Southeast Bengaluru to the northern hub of Hebbal, they offer vastly different transit solutions. The Metro will provide a high-capacity mass transit system, whereas the tunnel road will serve as a tolled route primarily for vehicular traffic.