4 days ago
How innovative funding powered Bengaluru Metro's Yellow Line stations
Bengaluru: The Yellow Line of Namma Metro, linking RV Road to Bommasandra, is emerging not only as a key transport link through the city's IT corridor but also as a showcase of corporate-backed infrastructure.
Through an innovative financing scheme by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL), major companies have directly funded the construction of stations, giving the city's public transport a financial and infrastructural lift.
Under the model, companies fund station construction in return for benefits such as naming rights, advertising space, dedicated walkways to campuses, and commercial areas. The terms vary depending on the agreement.
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Infosys Foundation signed an agreement in 2017 to fund the Rs 200-crore Konappana Agrahara station, which features a dedicated walkway connecting directly to the Infosys campus. Biocon Foundation reached an agreement in 2020 to contribute Rs 65 crore for the Hebbagodi station, while Delta Electronics reached an agreement in Dec 2024 to invest Rs 65 crore in the Bommasandra terminal.
All three stations bear the names of their corporate sponsors alongside the locations.
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BMRCL is mobilising funds/revenue through innovative financing techniques — a tool being used to identify avenues for value creation to augment non-farebox revenue. This method, BMRCL said, is enabling it to execute projects by reducing dependence on borrowed funds and will help achieve the objectives of funding with participation by private entities/corporates.
A BMRCL source said: "Namma Metro is the first Metro in India to introduce innovative financing schemes.
Under this model, philanthropic arms of companies can fund construction of Metro stations using their CSR (corporate social responsibility) funds or other resources. If a company contributes Rs 100 crore, Rs 65 crore is collected for naming rights (30 years), Rs 10 crore as fee for providing a dedicated walkway to their campus (99 years), and Rs 25 crore for commercial use of dedicated space at stations, along with advertising displays for 30 years.
"
The Infosys Foundation also paid Rs 15 crore for the installation of platform screen doors. Konappana Agrahara will be the first station in Bengaluru to have such doors. Sources said the foundation also made a huge investment in the aesthetics of the station.
As per the official, BMRCL is also in talks with companies for naming rights to the Electronics City and Hoskur stations. On the Outer Ring Road (ORR) stretch, the Metro authority has already reached agreements with two companies to fund stations.
City's first double-decker flyover
The Yellow Line incorporates the city's first Metro-cum-road corridor from Ragi Gudda to Silk Board. Proposed in 2017, the change to the original plan was aimed at easing congestion at Ragi Gudda, Jayadeva, BTM Layout, and Silk Board while providing seamless access to ORR and Hosur Road. The state govt agreed to fund the road component of the double-decker flyover.
After years of delay, BMRCL last year opened a 5km stretch of the road flyover from Ragi Gudda to Silk Board, including the ramp over the Silk Board overpass.
The elevated road from HSR Layout to Ragi Gudda is expected to open by the end of 2025.
Jayadeva interchange tallest in city
Another major change on the Yellow Line was the demolition of the Jayadeva flyover in 2019 to make way for a massive interchange station between the Yellow and Pink Lines. The flyover, built in 2005, was pulled down in phases, causing prolonged traffic bottlenecks on Bannerghatta Road and towards Silk Board.
The new Jayadeva station, with six levels and a built-up area of about 20,000sqm, will be the tallest in the city and can handle up to 25,000 passengers during peak hours. The road flyover from Ragi Gudda to Silk Board passes through the station. Partial commissioning for Yellow Line commuters is scheduled for Monday.
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