Bengaluru Metro funding: Karnataka seeks bigger Centre share, says state bears 84 pc of costs
Minister Krishna Byre Gowda to urge PM Modi for higher Central contribution, faster project clearances; says Karnataka is spending nearly Rs 5 for every Re 1 contributed by Centre
Karnataka will urge the Centre to substantially increase its financial contribution towards Bengaluru’s Metro (Namma Metro) expansion, with Greater Bengaluru Development (GBA) Minister Krishna Byre Gowda on Wednesday (November 11) pointing out that the state is currently bearing nearly 84 per cent of the combined project costs, against the Centre’s 16 per cent.
Speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru, the minister said the total expenditure on Namma Metro Phases 1, 2, 2A, 2B and the estimated cost of Phase 3 stood at Rs 77,891 crore. Of this, Karnataka has contributed Rs 65,291 crore, while the Centre’s contribution stands at Rs 12,600 crore.
State to make formal appeal to PM Modi during his Bengaluru visit
“The state is effectively investing nearly five rupees for every rupee contributed by the Centre,” he said, arguing that the actual funding burden on Karnataka was significantly different from the 50:50 funding arrangement often cited for Metro projects.
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Gowda said the Centre’s contribution had declined across successive phases of the Metro network, leaving Karnataka to shoulder an increasingly larger share of the financial responsibility. He argued that Bengaluru, as one of the country's major economic centres and a significant contributor to GST and income tax revenues, deserved greater Central investment in its infrastructure.
Greater Bengaluru Development (GBA) Minister Krishna Byre Gowda addressing a press conference in Bengaluru on Wednesday (November 11).
The minister said the state government would make a formal appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Bengaluru visit on Friday (November 13), seeking a more equitable funding arrangement and time-bound approvals for pending Metro projects.
PM Modi to inaugurate Pink Line
On Friday, 7.5-km elevated section of Namma Metro’s Pink Line will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi. The new stretch, connecting Kalena Agrahara to Tavarekere (Suddaguntepalya), will be opened for public service from 6 AM on November 14.
Gowda said the launch would take Bengaluru’s operational Metro network to approximately 103 km, marking the city's first major step beyond the 100-km milestone.
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The new stretch would significantly improve connectivity for residents along Bannerghatta Road, particularly because of the interchange facility at Jayadeva Metro station, which connects commuters to the Electronic City and city corridors.
The connectivity will enable passengers to access key destinations including Silk Board, HSR Layout, Jayanagar, Majestic and Whitefield through the wider Metro network. The minister said the interchange facility would make the 7.5-km extension far more useful than an isolated Metro stretch.
Initially, five trains will be deployed on the Pink Line, operating at eight-minute intervals. The frequency will be reviewed based on passenger demand and the stabilisation of the signalling system, with plans to reduce the interval further.
Delays add to state's financial burden
Apart from the construction expenditure, Gowda flagged the additional financial burden arising from delays in project approvals, land acquisition and international borrowing.
He said that although the Centre facilitates loans from international financial institutions, the responsibility for repayment rests with the state government. Currency depreciation further increases the repayment burden, leaving Karnataka to absorb the additional cost.
Delays in securing project approvals also result in construction cost escalation, which the State is subsequently required to bear, he said.
Citing the proposed Sarjapur-Hebbal Red Line corridor, the minister said the project proposal, submitted in January 2025, had remained pending for nearly 22 months. He cautioned that prolonged delays could push up project costs and increase the State's financial commitments.
Karnataka has also borne approximately Rs 1,046 crore towards Metro operating losses, with another Rs 52 crore yet to be reimbursed, he said. The state is additionally meeting the entire land acquisition expenditure and increases in project implementation costs.