Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) submitted the detailed project report (DPR) for two corridors (Phase 3A) to Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) for Namma Metro’s phase 3 project. BMRCL decided to take up two corridors of Phase 3A on priority— 13 km Magadi Road and 32 km JP Nagar 4th Phase to Hebbal in 2020. RITES was roped in to draft the DPR for these two corridors under Phase 3A. For Phase 3A, a total of 40 stations are being planned. BMRCL managing director Anjum Parwez told the media that RITES submitted the DPR but denied revealing more details. It’s preliminary and subject to modifications. Phase 3A is likely to be operational by 2027-2028. Meanwhile, BMRCL is evaluating bids for designing DPR for the 36-km Metro line of Phase 3B between Sarjapur and Hebbal. This corridor will have 29 stations, which include 15 elevated and 14 underground. Sources said BMRCL would soon submit the DPR of Phase 3A to the state government for clearance. The BJP-led Centre is likely to approve both Phase 3A and 3B ahead of the assembly elections. Stations are being planned at places like JP Nagar (IV, Vphases), Kamakhya bus depot, PES Institute of Technology, Nagarbhavi Circle, Sumanahalli Cross, Hosakerehalli Cross, Kanteerava Studio, Peenya, BEL Circle, Mysuru Road, and Hebbal on the JP Nagar-Hebbal section. Stations are likely to come at Hosahalli, Sumanahalli Cross, Herohalli, Vinayak Nagar, Byadarahalli, Sunkadakatte, and Kadabagere on the Magadi Road section. Sources said permissions from the state and central governments, land acquisition, mobilising funds, and identifying contractors will be time-consuming. The DPR of the first phase of the 42-km network between Byappanahalli - Mysuru Road and Nagasandra-Yelachenahalli was prepared in 2003 but the project was finished only in 2017. Only 56 km of the network is operating. BMRCL is preparing 317 km of Metro rail network by 2030. Image Source Also read: BMRCL invites bid to prepare DPR for Sarjapur-Hebbal corridor