BMRCL to Begin Red Line Work, Connecting Hebbal and Sarjapur
BMRCL's Phase-3 Red Line will connect Hebbal to Sarjapur via 28 stations over 36.59 km. Land acquisition is ongoing; project set for 2030 completion.
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In a strategic step to enhance Bengaluru’s mass rapid transit system, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is advancing its Phase-3 development with the construction of the Red Line, designed to link Hebbal and Sarjapur through a 36.59-kilometre corridor.
This new alignment is planned to address longstanding transportation issues in key traffic-heavy sectors, including Koramangala, St. John’s, Madiwala, Dairy Circle, KR Circle, Golf Course, and Mekhri Circle. These areas, often impacted by peak-hour congestion, are currently underserved by metro connectivity. The Red Line project aims to bridge this critical infrastructure gap by establishing 28 new metro stations between the northern and southeastern ends of the city.
The Karnataka state cabinet approved the project in early 2024, following a completed route survey. BMRCL is now in the process of acquiring 161.65 acres of land required for the construction. Approximately Rs 8,080 crore has been earmarked for land acquisition alone, with Rs 1,224 crore dedicated to securing private land holdings. Total expenditure for the corridor is projected at Rs 28,405 crore.
The proposed metro route includes a mix of 14.45 kilometres of underground tunnels and 22.14 kilometres of elevated tracks. BMRCL intends to begin groundwork within the year, pending final clearance from the Central Government.
As per official estimates, the project will impact 836 properties along the alignment. These include 314 residential structures, 63 industrial units, and 37 commercial buildings. The final list of affected properties will be confirmed after the issuance of preliminary acquisition notifications.
Once operational, the Red Line will serve as a vital addition to Bengaluru’s existing metro network, which currently comprises the Purple and Green Lines covering east-west and north-south corridors. Additional lines — Yellow, Pink, and Blue — are in various stages of development, with tentative rollout dates spanning 2025 to 2027.
The Red Line, however, is scheduled for completion by 2030, following the sequential implementation of the Pink, Blue, and Orange Lines. BMRCL is managing multiple parallel infrastructure projects as part of its long-term metro expansion plan aimed at decongesting Bengaluru’s roads and offering reliable public transportation alternatives.
The corridor’s alignment through core city zones positions it as a crucial infrastructure development to support urban mobility and economic activity in India’s tech capital.
