India : Bengaluru Metro Rail Project

Project Name

Bengaluru Metro Rail Project

Project Number

53326-001

Country / Economy

• India

Project Status

Active

Project Type / Modality of Assistance

• Loan
• Technical Assistance

Source of Funding / Amount

Loan 4036-IND: Bengaluru Metro Rail Project

Source	Amount
Ordinary capital resources	US$ 500.00 million

Loan: Bengaluru Metro Rail Project

Source	Amount
Japan International Cooperation Agency	US$ 330.42 million

TA 6659-IND: Support for Integrated and Sustainable Urban Development along Mass Rapid Transit Corridors in Bengaluru

Source	Amount
Technical Assistance Special Fund	US$ 2.00 million

Operational Priorities

• OP1: Addressing remaining poverty and reducing inequalities
• OP2: Accelerating progress in gender equality
• OP3: Tackling climate change, building climate and disaster resilience, and enhancing environmental sustainability
• OP4: Making cities more livable

Sector / Subsector

• Transport / Urban public transport

Gender

Effective gender mainstreaming

Description

The project will support the Government of India in expanding the metro railway network in Bengaluru City by financing two new metro corridors totaling 56 kilometers (km) in length. The project will also support the preparation of urban development plans and implementation frameworks based on the principles of transit-oriented development (TOD) and multimodal integration (MMI). In addition, the project will improve the institutional capacity of relevant state government agencies and stakeholders at all levels for the delivery of sustainable and comprehensive urban mobility solutions and planning, designing, and managing TOD-based urban development schemes and programs. The project will improve mobility, livability, and the urban environment in Bengaluru by supporting provision of an efficient, safe, and inclusive transport system for all commuters that caters to the needs of elderly, women, children, and differently abled persons.

Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

The population of Bengaluru grew by 49% from 2000 to 2018. Migration from other areas in Karnataka and elsewhere, driven by work opportunities, has accounted for about 30% of that growth. It is expected that the population of Bengaluru city will reach 16.2 million by 2030, from about 11.4 million in 2018. The rapid pace of urbanization has not been without problems, which include urban sprawl, unplanned and/or sporadic development, and inadequate infrastructure. This has resulted in congestion, declining mobility for people and goods, high land prices, deteriorating infrastructure, and environmental degradation. These impacts reduce productivity, inhibit economic efficiency, and negatively affect quality of life. Although the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has slowed economic activity in the city, the trend of population growth and urbanization is expected to continue.

Rapid population growth and urbanization, a lack of integrated urban planning, and lagging transport network development have contributed to Bengaluru being one of the most congested cities in the world. Peak hour traffic congestion in the city is worse than in other major cities in India, including Delhi and Mumbai, and the cost of congestion in the city is estimated at $6 billion per year. Vast urban sprawl is lengthening the average travel distance and time for commuters, especially for those travelling by private vehicle, while average travel speeds have been steadily declining.

Metro rail is the newest form of public transport in the city. Established in 2005 as a special purpose vehicle jointly held by the Government of India and the State Government of Karnataka, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) constructed and operates the Bengaluru Metro. Phase 1 of Bengaluru Metro, which is 42.3 km long, was completed and became fully operational in 2017. It comprises the East-West (Purple Line) and North-South (Green Line) lines. Phase 2 will extend the Purple and Green lines and construct two new corridors (Pink and Yellow lines) with a total length of 72.1 km. Phase 2 is being commissioned progressively, beginning in 2020, and will become fully operational by 2024. Phases 2A and 2B are new phases planned as another two new corridors (expressed in blue and light blue respectively in project map). Developing metro rail connectivity along the ORR and NH-44 toward KIA will significantly improve the public transport situation and reduce the number of private vehicles on the road.

Population growth in Bengaluru city creates challenges related to urbanization, especially traffic congestion, decreased mobility, and poor quality of life. To become a livable and inclusive city that balances economic growth with environmental and social equality considerations, Bengaluru needs to adopt a multidimensional approach covering urban planning, urban development, and public transport development. To meet the development objectives of the city, the state government plans to (i) expand and improve public mass transit systems for the city, including metro rail, suburban rail, and bus transport; and (ii) pursue TOD, an urban development model to realign growth and densities along sustainably developed mass transit corridors to create higher density, compact, mixed use, mixed income, safe, and resource efficient neighborhoods. TOD aims to raise land values along these corridors, generating capital revenues for the state government to meet the city's long-term investment needs.

Impact

The project will be aligned with the following impact: Urban mobility in Bengaluru city improved.

Project Outcome

Description of Outcome

Efficiency, safety, gender and social inclusiveness of urban rail mobility in Bengaluru increased

Progress Toward Outcome

Works are on track and targeted physical completion date of the project remains unchanged at December 2025.

Implementation Progress

Description of Project Outputs

New metro lines completed

Urban development plans and implementation frameworks based on transit-oriented development principles and multimodal integration plan developed for Bengaluru.

Capacity of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited and relevant state line agencies improved in transit-oriented development and multimodal integration

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)

Ongoing. Contracts for five civil works were awarded on 5 July 2021 (Phase 2A) and 15 December 2021 (Phase 2B). The last 2 packages, construction of depots, were awarded to contractors. To be conducted in a later phase.

Geographical Location

Bengaluru

Safeguard Categories

Environment

A

Involuntary Resettlement

A

Indigenous Peoples

C

Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects

Environmental Aspects

Phase 2A passes through more developed parts of the city, but proposed designs for this line have adopted a site-specific design approach that will greatly reduce environmental and social impacts. The immediate corridor is mostly lined with commercial establishments, with some portions of Phase 2B passing through open government lands and large residential areas occupying several segments of the 300-meter assessment corridor for both lines. Stations of Phase 2B mostly fall within open grounds. BMRCL prepared environmental impact assessments and contract package-specific environmental management plans (EMP), in accordance with ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement, which were disclosed on ADB website on 15 June 2020. The EMPs include measures for communicable disease prevention with particular attention to COVID-19 and the safety, health, and environment guidelines for metro projects in India.

Involuntary Resettlement

Land acquisition and resettlement for lines 2A and 2B will affect private assets, mainly land and structures that are being acquired under the project. BMRCL prepared resettlement plans, including due diligence for land that had already been acquired. The resettlement plans outline entitlements consistent with national and ADB safeguard requirements, summarize public consultations and information disclosure, describe the grievance redress mechanism, and stipulate institutional arrangements to ensure that the plans are implemented accordingly.

Indigenous Peoples

The project will not affect indigenous communities, as defined under ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement.

Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation

During Project Design

Consultations with affected communities and key stakeholders were held during project design preparation to gather inputs for the EMPs.

During Project Implementation

Regular consultation meetings will be held between the project management and the community during project implementation. A grievance redress mechanism has been established and has been available online.

Business Opportunities

Consulting Services

Advance contracting and retroactive financing will be undertaken for consulting services in conformity with ADB's Procurement Policy (2017, as amended from time to time) and Procurement Regulations for ADB Borrowers (2017, as amended from time to time). Bidding documents for civil works and consultants will be prepared by BMRCL and approved by ADB.

Procurement

Advance contracting and retroactive financing will be undertaken for civil works in conformity with ADB's Procurement Policy (2017, as amended from time to time) and Procurement Regulations for ADB Borrowers (2017, as amended from time to time). Bidding documents for civil works and consultants will be prepared by BMRCL and approved by ADB.

Contact

Responsible ADB Officer

Sahu, Kaushal Kumar

Responsible ADB Department

Sectors Group

Responsible ADB Division

Transport Sector Office (SG-TRA)

Executing Agencies

Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs

Timetable

Concept Clearance

06 Dec 2019

Fact Finding

26 May 2020 to 15 Jun 2020

MRM

14 Sep 2020

Approval

08 Dec 2020

Last Review Mission

-

Last PDS Update

20 Mar 2024

Funding

Loan 4036-IND

TA 6659-IND