The Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC) has approved Phase II-A and Phase II-B of the Bengaluru Metro.

Namma Metro’s Phase II-A (Central Silk Board to KR Puram) and Phase II-B (KR Puram to the Kempegowda International Airport) project cover 58.19 km, have been approved by the Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC).

The approval took place months after the Centre’s approval and almost 2 years after the state government’s approval.

However, it is unclear why the committee agreed to meet on Monday to approve these projects when the MPC’s approval is needed during the conceptualization of a project and not after the approval of two governments.

Sources said that the meeting was organized to review tenders and issues relating to land acquisition. The Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa was told to agree to issue work orders to the lowest bidders for Phase II-A project Shankaranarayana Construction and Afcons Infrastructure Limited. In the meantime, the last tendering date has recently been postponed for the Phase II-B project.

The estimated cost of the two projects is Rs 14,788.10 crore which is anticipated to be concluded in five years. Bengaluru has approximately 172 kilometers of the Metro Rail network when Phases II-A & II-B are completely operational with the Metro Corridor.

By monetising the airport assets the BMRCL expects to increase the number of Rs 850 crore from the station’s name and access rights for companies and Rs 800 crore. It also hopes to increase the Capture Financing (VCF) of Rs 250 crore through the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) mechanism.