Union Cabinet clears Silk Board-Airport metro line, to complete in 54 months

The Union Cabinet on Tuesday cleared Bangalore Metro Rail's ambitious Silk Board to international airport line project, which is estimated to cost about Rs 14,788 crore.

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) is implementing the project in two phases. While phase 2A covers Central Silk Board Junction to K.R. Puram, the phase 2B runs from K.R. Puram to Airport via Hebbal Junction. The two phases cover a length of 58.19 km.

Thirteen stations over a length of 19.75 km come under phase 2A, while 17 stations over a stench of 38.44 km fall under phase 2B. Once completed in the estimated 54 months, this project will play a key role in decongesting the city which contributes 40% to India's It exports & is home to a large number of IT parks, hubs and industries, Union Urban Affairs minister Hardeep Singh Puri tweeted.



Once launched, the project will boost Bengaluru's public transport infrastructure, chief minister BS Yediyurappa said in a tweet, while thanking prime minister Narendra Modi.

The Cabinet, chaired by prime minister Narendra Modi, took note that the City has been under a great stress due to the use of a large number of private vehicles and heavy construction activities. This coupled with industrial activities have increased the need for upgrading the City's transportation infrastructure, a press information bureau release said.

Bengaluru Central MP PC Mohan (BJP) said the new line will help the IT/BT sector, and improve the multimodal integration. Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya tweeted said the project will create lakhs of jobs and boost growth.