Daily ridership on Namma Metro phase-3 in Bengaluru might drop from 8.09 lakh to 7.98 lakh if double-decker roads get built,a recent study says. Ashish Verma at IISc Sustainable Transportation Lab found that more road space could push commuters toward private cars,hurting mass transit aims.
The detailed report, sent to Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, shows travel habits could shift significantly by 2041. Bus usage might fall 6.4%, while metro ridership could dip 1.4%. Meanwhile, car trips may rise 3.8%,two-wheelers 1.28%,and auto,taxi rides by 2.8%. A clear move to personal transport .
Though double-decker roads might seem to ease traffic, study warns they'll likely boost private vehicle use . That means more kilometers traveled, more congestion, more pollution. The report predicts an extra 17,012 kg of CO2 daily,plus other harmful emissions. Fuel use could jump 7,000 liters daily,costing over ₹6.45 lakh more each day.
Financial hit of adding double-decker roads to metro phase-3 is worrying. Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited's capital costs could soar by ₹2,863.53 crore. Bigger structures,deeper foundations,elevated stations all needed. Economic viability questioned: Economic Internal Rate of Return recalculated at 9.07% for BMRCL's investment, overall EIRR for project even lower at 5.43% due to costs, environmental impacts.
Also, double-decker plan doesn't fit Bengaluru's approved Comprehensive Mobility Plan. Study warns against proceeding without new approvals—could face legal,procedural hurdles. Broader analysis stresses grade-separated roads like flyovers often just shift congestion elsewhere.
“The proposed double-decker project fundamentally undermines the objectives of metro expansion and is technically, economically,environmentally, and institutionally unsound,”Verma said, stressing project clashes with sustainable mobility, livability goals in Bengaluru…
