Bus lanes, Metro work in Bengaluru need urgent push: Experts
Sanjeev Dyamannavar, mobility expert, highlighted the long delays in construction of underground Metro corridors to caution against overly ambitious tunnelling projects. He said, 'Phase 2 of the Metro was sanctioned in 2014. Now we're in 2025 and the Kalena Agrahara to Nagawara stretch, mostly underground, still hasn't opened. You can imagine the challenges of tunnelling in Bengaluru.'
He also stressed the unfulfilled promise of the Bengaluru Suburban Rail project. 'One of its outcomes was meant to be the removal of all level crossings in the city to reduce congestion. That hasn't happened. Our elected representatives and administrators are not treating this project with urgency. There's no review, no pressure, no push.'
Civic evangelist V Ravichandar joined Dyamannavar in flagging the poor state of road and drain infrastructure. 'BBMP must take up proper maintenance of stormwater drains and ensure desilted mud is not left on the roadside. It just washes back in.' He added that carpooling and cab sharing should be promoted to reduce the volume of vehicles on roads. 'The most important projects we should prioritise are public transport and this includes Metro, suburban rail, bus, walkability and cycling infrastructure. Given that the biggest challenge for Bengaluru is outer ring road and that the Blue Line Metro is still under construction, the single biggest intervention that can yield quick results is revival of the bus priority lane on ORR, which was suspended due to Metro construction,' said Srinivas Alavilli, fellow at World Resources Institute India.
With the city's vehicle population nearing 1.3 crore, experts said without immediate and sustained investment in public transport infrastructure, the city's mobility crisis will deepen. Bridging the gap between rapid urban expansion and accessible, efficient transport systems is no longer optional, it is essential for the city's sustainability and quality of life.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
7 hours ago
- Hans India
PM Modi to inaugurate Bhopal Metro's priority corridor in Oct: CM Mohan Yadav
In a major urban transit milestone for Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav has announced that the Bhopal Metro Rail's priority corridor will be inaugurated in October 2025, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to officiate the launch. The announcement signals the near completion of the AIIMS to Subhash Nagar stretch, the first operational segment of the city's long-awaited Metro project. Dr Yadav on Sunday personally supervised the progress and covered a short distance on the priority corridor. Developed at an estimated cost of Rs 2,225 crore, the priority corridor covers approximately 7.5 kilometres and comprises eight elevated stations. The Metro line promises world-class passenger amenities, including modern escalators, elevators, automated fare collection systems, and accessibility features for differently-abled passengers. The Chief Minister said that 27 state-of-the-art train sets have been commissioned for the project, with seven already delivered and undergoing trial runs. The Bhopal Metro, being executed by the Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MPMRCL), is designed to improve public mobility, curb vehicular congestion, and reduce environmental pollution in the state capital. The first phase will eventually span 28 kilometres across two interconnected corridors, combining elevated and underground tracks to ensure comprehensive urban coverage. In parallel, Indore—the state's commercial capital—continues to advance its own Metro infrastructure under the same initiative. The Indore Metro Rail Project, with a Phase 1 length of 33.53 kilometres, is estimated at Rs 7,500 crore and financed through a mix of central and state funds, along with international development loans. A 5.9-kilometre priority section from Gandhi Nagar to Station Number 3 has completed successful trial runs, and full operations are targeted for 2027. The Bhopal Metro's Orange Line, extending from AIIMS to Karond, will feature 16 stations—14 elevated and two underground—across a 16.69-kilometre alignment. Of this, 13.3 kilometres will run on elevated viaducts, while 3.39 kilometres will be constructed underground. The Blue Line will span 14.16 kilometres from Bhadbhada to Ratnagiri Tiraha, consisting entirely of elevated track with 14 stations along the corridor. Together, the two lines will cover a total length of 30.85 kilometres and accommodate 30 stations, forming the backbone of Bhopal's new mass transit system. Both Metro ventures, Indore and Bhopal, are central to Madhya Pradesh's strategy for modernising urban transport and boosting regional development. With Indore and Bhopal expected to lead the way in seamless, clean, and high-capacity transit, the government envisions a paradigm shift in commuter experience and city planning.
Hindustan Times
17 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
‘Betrayed the people': Naveen Patnaik on Odisha government's decision to scrap Bhubaneshwar metro project
BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik expressed concern over the Odisha government's decision to cancel the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail project initiated during his tenure, saying the move will push the city 10 years back in terms of urban mobility and development. BJD president and former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik said that the metro project, with Mo Bus and other last-mile connectivity, would have reshaped the way the state capital moves.(PTI file) Patnaik's reaction came hours after it was reported that the state's BJP government had scrapped the Metro rail project contract with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). Taking to social media on Saturday, Patnaik said, "Shocked to know that Bhubaneswar Metro Rail contracts have been cancelled by BJP led #Odisha Govt. It has always been our dream to develop #Bhubaneswar into a world-class city. We have been focusing on world-class sports infrastructure, organising marquee international events, providing seamless modern transport and developing IT ecosystem to transform the temple city into a world-class city." Stating that the project would have reshaped the way the state capital moves with Mo Bus and other last-mile connectivity, complementing the city transport, Patnaik said that apart from alleviating congestion inside the city significantly, it would have been a huge catalyst for the expansion of the city. "Realising the urgent need of a Metro System for enhanced mobility, we had set a watertight timeline of 2027 for Phase 1 of the project," Patnaik said. The former chief minister said it has now been learned from the notice by DMRC to contractors that Odisha government has scrapped the Bhubaneswar Metro project. "The double-engine government has betrayed the people of Odisha by cancelling an important project like Metro Rail. The shocking decision will push the city 10 years back," he said. Odisha's Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, however, said the state government is earnestly planning a feasible Metro project for the state capital. He said the previous BJD government did not seek central assistance as it had planned a fully state-funded ₹5,000-crore project connecting Biju Patnaik International Airport with Trisulia Square. The minister said the BJP government wanted to execute the project in a joint venture with the Centre's help. "We will have the Metro rail project differently from the past government's plan, which was not feasible. A new DRP will be prepared and sent to the Centre for approval," the minister said.
Indian Express
17 hours ago
- Indian Express
BJD chief Patnaik terms Odisha govt's decision to cancel Bhubaneswar Metro project ‘shocking'
BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik expressed concern over the Odisha government's decision to cancel the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail project initiated during his tenure, saying the move will push the city 10 years back in terms of urban mobility and development. Patnaik's reaction came hours after it was reported that the state's BJP government had scrapped the Metro rail project contract with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). Taking to social media on Saturday, Patnaik said: 'Shocked to know that Bhubaneswar Metro Rail contracts have been cancelled by BJP led #Odisha Govt. It has always been our dream to develop #Bhubaneswar into a world-class city. We have been focusing on world-class sports infrastructure, organising marquee international events, providing seamless modern transport and developing IT ecosystem to transform the temple city into a world-class city.' Stating that the project would have reshaped the way the state capital moves with Mo Bus and other last-mile connectivity, complementing the city transport, Patnaik said that apart from alleviating congestion inside the city significantly, it would have been a huge catalyst for the expansion of the city. 'Realising the urgent need of a Metro System for enhanced mobility, we had set a watertight timeline of 2027 for Phase 1 of the project,' Patnaik said. The former chief minister said it has now been learned from the notice by DMRC to contractors that Odisha government has scrapped the Bhubaneswar Metro project. 'The double-engine government has betrayed the people of Odisha by cancelling an important project like Metro Rail. The shocking decision will push the city 10 years back,' he said. Odisha's Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, however, said the state government is earnestly planning a feasible Metro project for the state capital. He said the previous BJD government did not seek central assistance as it had planned a fully state-funded Rs 5,000-crore project connecting Biju Patnaik International Airport with Trisulia Square. The minister said the BJP government wanted to execute the project in a joint venture with the Centre's help. 'We will have the Metro rail project differently from the past government's plan, which was not feasible. A new DRP will be prepared and sent to the Centre for approval,' the minister said.
