Bengaluru-Tumakuru Metro project moves ahead: All you need to know
Karnataka’s proposed inter-district Metro could cut Bengaluru-Tumakuru travel time to nearly 60 mins, but experts say RRTS or suburban rail may be more practical
Get ready to swap bumper-to-bumper gridlock for high-speed rails. Karnataka is on the verge of a transit revolution with a proposal to extend Bengaluru's Namma Metro all the way to Tumakuru.
This isn't just another route extension—it’s a massive leap forward that marks the state's very first inter-district metro service.
After the formal submission of a Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) report to Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara and Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh at Vidhana Soudha on Saturday (May 23), the ambitious transit project is now headed straight to the state cabinet for final deliberations.
DPR recommendation
Last December, BMRCL awarded a Rs 1.26-crore contract to Hyderabad-based Aarvee Engineering Consultants to prepare a detailed project report (DPR). This came after the Karnataka government directed the agency to conduct a feasibility study for the project.
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Parameshwara, who is also the district in-charge minister for Tumakuru, said around Rs 3.5 crore had been spent on the study and that the report strongly endorsed the project’s feasibility.
The DPR has proposed two implementation models for the project. One option involves direct execution by BMRCL at an estimated cost of Rs 18,000 crore, while the second proposes a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model costing around Rs 20,000 crore.
Connectivity
The proposed corridor is planned as an extension of the existing Green Line, officially known as the North-South corridor, which currently runs from Silk Institute to Madavara (BIEC). The new stretch is expected to cover nearly 60 km from Madavara on Bengaluru’s outskirts to Tumakuru along the National Highway corridor.
The proposed corridor is expected to serve residential and industrial clusters in Nelamangala and Dabaspet, with a projected daily ridership of around 3 lakh passengers.
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The route is expected to pass through Nelamangala, Dabaspet and Kyathasandra before reaching Tumakuru. Beyond Kyathasandra, stations have been proposed at Tumakuru University, Siddaganga Medical College, Tumakuru Bus Stand and Sira Gate.
Officials said the corridor is planned with 16 stations and could reduce travel time between Bengaluru and Tumakuru to nearly one hour.
Supporters argue that the project will significantly ease commuting pressure on Bengaluru. Kunigal MLA Dr H D Ranganath said nearly 40 per cent of people from Kunigal travel daily to Bengaluru for work and extending Metro connectivity would help reduce migration pressure on the capital city.
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However, the proposal has also drawn criticism from urban transport experts and political leaders. Critics argue that Metro systems are designed primarily for dense urban mobility and may not be suitable for long-distance regional connectivity over a 60-km stretch.
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Bengaluru South MP P C Mohan pointed to the Economic Survey 2025–26 proposal for a Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor between Bengaluru and Tumakuru, arguing that a semi-high-speed rail network would be faster, cheaper and more practical than a long-distance Metro extension.
Alternative solution
Experts have instead suggested alternatives such as the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) or expansion of the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (K-RIDE). Urban planning specialists also argue that extending the existing Mallige suburban rail infrastructure from Chikkabanavar to Tumakuru could offer higher speeds and lower fares through dedicated heavy rail tracks using high-speed MEMU and metro-style AC coaches operating up to 110 kmph.
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