Hosur Metro Plan Stalls Over Technical Hurdles, But BMRCL Pushes Ahead With Massive Expansion Drive

The long-awaited plan to link Bengaluru and Hosur through South India’s first interstate metro line has hit a major roadblock, with the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) declaring the project “technically not feasible.”

According to BMRCL officials, the main obstacle lies in the incompatibility of the power systems used by the two metro networks. While Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) proposed a 25 kV AC overhead traction system for the Hosur–Bommasandra corridor, Bengaluru’s Namma Metro operates on a 750 V DC third rail system. These differing traction technologies make seamless integration impossible.

The Tamil Nadu government had strongly supported the Hosur–Bommasandra line, viewing it as a catalyst for industrial and economic growth in Hosur. However, BMRCL officials clarified that despite its potential benefits, the project cannot move forward due to these fundamental technical challenges. “Building a continuous line from Bommasandra to Hosur is not technically feasible,” a senior official confirmed, adding that the final decision now rests with the state government.

Even as the cross-border metro faces uncertainty, BMRCL is pressing ahead with extensive expansion plans within Karnataka. Under Phase 4, feasibility reports are being prepared for four new extensions — including Bommasandra–Attibele, Madavara–Tumakuru, Silk Institute–Harohalli, and Challaghatta–Bidadi — totaling over 110 km.

Beyond these, studies are underway for three more corridor extensions and a brand-new 68-km line connecting Kalena Agrahara to Kadugodi Tree Park via Bannerghatta, Jigani, Sarjapur, and Varthur Kodi. Together, these projects are part of a comprehensive 470-km metro master plan, aligning Bengaluru’s network with the scale of Delhi Metro and aiming to ease the city’s chronic traffic congestion.