Public transport planning for Bengaluru continues to evolve as the state government reviews proposals aimed at improving connectivity to the city’s expanding outskirts. One such proposal, concerning an extension
of the Metro network towards Doddaballapur, was discussed in the state Assembly as part of broader conversations on future mobility needs.
The Karnataka government has informed the state Assembly that a proposal to extend the Bengaluru Metro network up to Doddaballapur is currently under consideration. While no final decision has been taken yet, the government said the demand would be examined as part of a broader review of the city’s long-term mobility plans.
The issue was raised during Question Hour, highlighting growing calls for improved public transport connectivity in the rapidly developing northern parts of the Bengaluru metropolitan region.
Proposal Linked to Mobility Plan Revision
Responding in the Assembly on behalf of Bengaluru Development Minister D K Shivakumar, Revenue Minister Krishna Byregowda said the proposal could be evaluated during the revision of Bengaluru’s Comprehensive Mobility Plan.
“The proposal to extend Metro services up to Doddaballapur can be considered while revising the Comprehensive Mobility Plan. The plan prepared in 2020 does not include this extension, but the city’s transport needs have evolved since then,” Krishna Byregowda said.
He added that the government has already initiated the process of revising the mobility plan and that all new proposals would be examined by an expert committee once the revised document is ready.
“After the revision, the proposal will be placed before the Comprehensive Mobility Plan expert committee for detailed examination,” the minister said.
Earlier Proposal Did Not Make Final Cut
The demand for Metro connectivity to Doddaballapur is not new. Legislators from the region have been pressing for the extension for several years, citing increasing population and industrial activity.
In fact, an earlier draft of the Comprehensive Mobility Plan had proposed a Metro corridor from Yelahanka to Doddaballapur via Rajanukunte, covering a distance of around 26 km. However, that proposal was dropped and did not figure in the final approved plan.
During the Assembly discussion, Doddaballapur MLA Dheeraj Muniraju reiterated the need for reviving the proposal, pointing out the scale of development taking place in and around the town.
According to the MLA, Doddaballapur has seen significant industrial and residential growth in recent years. The announcement of the KWIN City project, spread over about 5,400 acres, along with the presence of large companies such as Foxconn, has led to a sharp rise in employment and population in the region.
It is estimated that nearly 45,000 workers are currently employed in and around the area. This has triggered a surge in housing demand, with builders developing new residential layouts, further increasing the need for reliable mass transit connectivity.
Metro Expansion Elsewhere Continues
In his reply, Krishna Byregowda also outlined the status of ongoing and upcoming Metro projects. Metro Lines 2A and 2B, which will connect the city to Kempegowda International Airport, are currently under construction and are expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
He noted that Metro Phase 3 and Phase 3A have already received approval and include several new corridors and extensions. However, the proposed Doddaballapur extension does not currently form part of these phases.
The government’s response makes it clear that any decision on extending the Metro to Doddaballapur will depend on the outcome of the Comprehensive Mobility Plan revision and the recommendations of the expert committee.
For residents and commuters in north Bengaluru and surrounding towns, the revision process will be closely watched, as it will determine whether Doddaballapur finally finds a place on Bengaluru’s expanding Metro map.
