BENGALURU (Metro Rail News): Karnataka will press Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a larger central contribution and faster approvals for Namma Metro when he visits Bengaluru on 13 November, Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said on Wednesday, claiming the state is carrying 84% of the network’s cost against the Centre’s 16%.
State’s Share of Metro Costs
Speaking at a press conference, Gowda put the combined cost of Phases 1, 2, 2A and 2B and the estimated cost of Phase 3 at ₹77,891 crore.
| Funding | Amount | Share |
| Karnataka government | ₹65,291 crore | 84% |
| Central government | ₹12,600 crore | 16% |
| Total (Phases 1, 2, 2A, 2B and estimated Phase 3) | ₹77,891 crore | 100% |
“The state is effectively investing nearly five rupees for every rupee contributed by the Centre,” Gowda said, contrasting this with the 50:50 Centre-state arrangement commonly used for metro projects. He said the Centre’s share has fallen with each successive phase, and that Bengaluru deserves more support as a major contributor to GST and income tax revenue.
Delays Add to the Bill
Gowda said that although the Centre arranges loans from international lenders, the state repays them, and it also bears the full cost of land acquisition and any cost escalation. Delays in approvals, he said, push construction costs up further.
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He cited the proposed Sarjapur-Hebbal Red Line, whose proposal was submitted in January 2025 and has been pending for nearly 22 months, warning that further delays could raise its cost beyond the state’s commitments. According to Gowda, the state has also borne around ₹1,046 crore of metro operating losses, with another ₹50 crore yet to be reimbursed.
Pink Line Opens Friday
Modi will inaugurate the 7.5-km elevated Kalena Agrahara-Tavarekere (SG Palya) section of the Pink Line on Friday, with public services from 6 am on Saturday. Trains will run every eight minutes at first, and the stretch connects with the Yellow Line at Jayadeva Hospital for Electronic City, HSR Layout, Jayanagar and Silk Board.
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