Namma Metro Phase II delays; cost surges to Rs 400 billion

29 Jul 2024 CW Team

The cost of Bengaluru Metro?s Phase-2 network has surged to nearly Rs 400 billion, marking a 52% increase from the original estimate a decade ago. Approved in 2014, the project initially spanned 72 km at a cost of Rs 264.05 billion, with an additional 3 km later incorporated, and was set for completion by 2019. By 2021, the cost had escalated to Rs 306.95 billion. The revised proposal has now been sent by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) to the State Finance Department for approval through the Urban Development Department (UDD).

Additional Chief Secretary of UDD, SR Umashankar, cited several factors for the increased costs, including revised land acquisition costs, extension of kilometres, inflation, pandemic-related delays, and fluctuations in international currencies. The primary reason for the cost hike is attributed to delays. Phase-II, initially set for completion in 2019, remains unfinished five years later. A senior UDD official noted that adhering to the original timeline would have prevented such a massive escalation. Land acquisition delays were a significant contributing factor.

BMRCL has undertaken several extensions and additions, contributing to the increased costs. The Reach-2 extension, originally terminating at Kengeri, now extends to Challaghatta. A new depot has been added at Kadugodi (Whitefield) on the eastern side. Additionally, 128.36 hectares of land have been acquired versus the initially planned 84.33 hectares, raising compensation costs to nearly Rs 63 billion, up by Rs 4.38 billion.

Road-widening projects near many metro stations, including the stretches from Baiyappanahalli to Kadugodi and Yelachenahalli to Silk Institute, have also added to the costs. Additional land was acquired for the Reach-5 line (R V Road-Bommasandra). Following approval from the State Finance Department, the revised proposal will be sent to the Centre?s Urban Development Department. (Source: TNIE)

Equipment

11 Dec 2025

Caterpillar Debuts Three New Cat Excavators at EXCON 2025

Caterpillar Inc., a global leader in construction and mining machinery, strengthened its commitment to India’s infrastructure growth with the debut of three new Cat® hydraulic excavators at EXCON 2025, held from December 9–13 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre. The new models—Cat 321, Cat 322 and Cat 324—mark a significant step forward in delivering efficient, digital-ready equipment tailored for India’s evolving construction needs.Designed to support sustainability and productivity on modern jobsites, the machines feature advanced powertrains and intelligent electrohy..

JK Tyre Expands OTR Lineup with Four New Launches at EXCON 2025

JK Tyre & Industries, one of India’s leading tyre manufacturers, introduced four new Off-the-Road (OTR) tyres at the 13th edition of CII EXCON 2025, South Asia’s largest construction equipment exhibition, underway at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre. The latest additions strengthen the company’s OTR portfolio and reaffirm its focus on delivering advanced mobility solutions for construction, mining and industrial operations.The new tyres were unveiled by R Mukhopadhyay, Director (R&D), JK Tyre. Among the highlights was the debut of the SKY GRIP, a specialised tyre des..

ACE, Sanghvi Movers Ink MOU to Boost India-Made Heavy Crane Adoption

Action Construction Equipment (ACE), the world’s largest pick-and-carry crane manufacturer and a leading Indian construction equipment maker, has entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with Sanghvi Movers, Asia’s largest and the world’s fifth-largest crane rental company. The partnership aims to accelerate the deployment of indigenously manufactured heavy slew cranes, particularly truck cranes and crawler cranes, across large-scale infrastructure and industrial projects in India.The alliance aligns strongly with the Government of India’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” and “M..