Karnataka approves 20-km new metro line to connect Bengaluru with Hosur in Tamil Nadu

Bengaluru, India (Urban Transport News): The Karnataka State government cabinet has approved the 20-km new metro rail corridor to connect Bommasandra to Hosur. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has requested the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to direct the Tamil Nadu government to take up a study for the extension of the Bangalore Metro.

Dr. A. Chellakumar, Krishnagiri MP, who pitched the proposal before Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. has shared a letter written by BMRCL to MoHUA. In March this year, Dr. A. Chellakumar, accompanied by the Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah, presented the plan at a meeting with Bommai.

The metro connectivity plan to Hosur was unanimously seen as a victory for both States as it will help thousands of inter-State commuters and link the manufacturing hub of Hosur and Bengaluru. 

Presently, BMRCL is implementing a 19-km metro line from the R.V. Road to Bommasandra under its Phase 2 plan. Hosur is located 20.4 km away from the Bommasandra metro terminal. Of this length, 11.7 km falls in Karnataka and 8.8 km in Tamil Nadu.

Dr. Chellakumar termed the approval “transformative”.  He said that he had met the Chairperson of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL).  “It is felt that BMRCL would be better equipped to carry out the study for the length up to Hosur since it is implementing Phase-II up to Bommasandra. Tamil Nadu will incur the cost of the study by BMRCL up to Hosur, it has been suggested,” said Dr. Chellakumar.  But BMRCL may carry out the study only with the concurrence of the Karnataka government. 

"This is the dream project for thousands of people in Hosur, who regularly commute to work to Bengaluru. If the project is implemented, it will benefit people of both States socially and economically," he added.

BMRCL in its letter has said the inter-State project will require “utmost coordination between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu” in the sharing of the project cost and monetary support during the operation of the system.