Bangalore, Karnataka - On September 22, in a concerted effort to alleviate the city's persistent traffic congestion, the Karnataka government, in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), unveiled an ambitious set of proposals. These initiatives encompass the creation of three novel metro corridors and a substantial augmentation of the suburban rail network, aimed at enhancing the city's transportation landscape.

The central goal of these proposals is to enhance the accessibility of the Namma Metro to residents from all corners of Bangalore, with plans to extend its reach to within one to two kilometers of their homes or workplaces by the year 2032.

Proposed Metro Routes

Old Airport Road: This envisioned route will span from MG Road to Hope Farm via Marathahalli and Whitefield.

Old Madras Road: Another proposed corridor, this one will connect KR Puram to the Narsapura industrial area via Hoskote.

Inner Ring Road Loop: This circular route is designed to interconnect areas such as Yeshwantpur, Cantonment, Ashoka Pillar, Indiranagar, Koramangala, and Mahalakshmi Layout.

Proposed Suburban Rail Network

The Karnataka Rail Infrastructure Development Company (K-RIDE) has also put forth a comprehensive roadmap for the expansion of the Bangalore Suburban Rail Project (BSRP). The proposed extensions encompass the following routes:

Devanahalli to Kolar: Expanding connectivity from Devanahalli to Kolar.

Chikkabanavara to Tumakuru: Enhancing the rail network between Chikkabanavara and Tumakuru.

Kengeri to Mysuru and Beyond: Expanding rail connectivity from Kengeri to Mysuru, with potential extensions to other destinations.

Additionally, K-RIDE has advocated for a novel 'corridor 2A' running from Chikkabanavara to Magadi, which has garnered attention as a potential future addition to the rail network.

Congestion Tax Proposal for Bangalore

In conjunction with the expansion plans for the suburban train and metro networks, the report also broaches the possibility of imposing a congestion tax in select areas of the city. The document highlights that "A congestion charge in the city... could be implemented with the aim of reducing traffic congestion. Fewer cars will lead to less pollution, making city centers more attractive for pedestrians and cyclists. This would help to improve the quality of life."

These comprehensive plans align with the Karnataka government's vision to transform Bangalore into an "intelligent city." This vision includes the implementation of state-of-the-art transportation facilities, the introduction of unified mobile apps for transportation, and the deployment of digital signage systems to streamline transit for residents and visitors alike.

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