A Game-Changer for Bengaluru’s Transit: the 72 km Metro Corridor

Bengaluru is poised to take a significant leap in urban mobility. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is planning what would become the city’s longest metro corridor under the Namma Metro system — a sprawling ~72 kilometre route with over 50 stations, connecting key growth zones and even linking directly to a major upcoming sports complex.

Route Highlights & Key Hubs

Here are some of the major points about the corridor:

1. The main alignment stretches from Kalena Agrahara (on Bannerghatta Road) in the south to Kadugodi Tree Park (near Whitefield) in the east.
2. A spur line of approx 3.5-4 km branches off near Jigani towards the proposed international sports complex in the Jagannaikere/Surya City Phase 4 region of Anekal taluk.
3. The alignment will pass through burgeoning tech & residential hubs including Bannerghatta, Jigani, Attibele, Sarjapur, Dommasandra Circle and Varthur Kodi.
4. The corridor mix will include elevated stretches and underground sections, given the diverse terrain and built-up zones along the route.
5. Because many parts along the proposed route are still developing, station spacing is likely to be wider than in densely built-up central areas — yet the total station count is expected to exceed 50.

What the Sports Complex Link Means

One of the standout features of this project is the direct connectivity to a large‐scale sports complex planned in the southeast of Bengaluru:

1. The proposed complex in Surya City Phase 4 (Anekal) is envisioned to include an 80,000-seat cricket stadium, an auditorium for 30,000 and 24 facilities for indoor/outdoor sports.
2. The spur line into this complex will enable direct metro access for people coming from both the Bannerghatta/Jigani axis and from Anekal, thereby integrating “event destination” transit into the city’s network.
3. This move signals that the corridor isn’t just about moving commuters, but is also thinking big in terms of how major venues and future urban development get integrated with public transport.

Timeline & Strategic Fit

1. BMRCL is likely to submit its feasibility report for this corridor by end-October 2025.
2. Once approved by the state government, a detailed project report (DPR) will follow. If everything proceeds smoothly, construction might begin by around 2029, with completion envisaged between 2034-2039.
3. This corridor forms a crucial part of a broader metro expansion master-plan: BMRCL aims to create a network of ~467.69 km in Bengaluru (comparable to Delhi-NCR’s network) through a mix of extensions and new lines.

Why This Matters for Bengaluru

1. The route targets some of Bengaluru’s fastest-growing corridors — particularly the southeast, which houses major IT parks, booming residential layouts and new townships. Better connectivity here can reduce traffic woes, make commuting smoother, and promote transit‐oriented growth.
2. By offering direct access to major venues (like the sports complex), this line elevates the role of metro infrastructure beyond daily commuting — positioning it as central to how cities host large-scale events and integrate major public destinations.
3. Longer station spacing in less dense zones suggests a design conscious of future growth — the metro is “pre-paring” corridors that are developing, rather than only responding to current demand.
4. From a city‐branding and investment standpoint, a 72 km corridor with 50+ stations plus high-profile linkages sends the message that Bengaluru is readying itself for the next phase of urban-mobility and infrastructure.

Final Thoughts

This proposed 72 km corridor by BMRCL stands out as more than just another metro line. It is strategic: connecting growth zones, technology hubs, residential areas and even major sports infrastructure — thereby weaving transit into the fabric of the future Bengaluru. For residents, commuters, developers and urban planners alike, the implications are vast: reduced traffic, improved connectivity, enhanced real-estate value, and a step into a more mature “metro-centric” city.

If all goes well, we could be looking at one of India’s more comprehensive metro investments outside the major metros. For Bengaluru, the key will be execution—keeping timelines, budgets, alignment, stations and integration on track.