Namma Metro to Get Rs 17.17 Billion from Budget, Majority for Phase 3

05 Feb 2025 CW Team

Bengaluru’s Namma Metro is set to receive Rs 17.17 billion from the Union Budget 2025-26, with nearly 70% of the funds allocated for Phase 3, which has secured all necessary approvals. This is a significant reduction from the Rs 48.14 billion granted in 2024-25.

Meanwhile, the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project (BSRP) has been allocated Rs 3.5 billion, the same as the previous year, despite expectations for higher funding to support the procurement of 306 coaches for the 149-km project. Karnataka had sought Rs 42.7 billion for the coaches, with a 50% contribution from Indian Railways.

The cost of Phase 2 of Namma Metro has risen to Rs 406.14 billion due to construction delays and additional requirements. The Karnataka government has committed to covering most of the Rs 99.19 billion cost escalation.

In addition, the budget has earmarked Rs 40 billion for the PM E-DRIVE scheme, under which Karnataka has requested 5,000 electric buses for Bengaluru.

(Deccan Herald)

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