Bengaluru's ambitious Namma Metro Phase 3 project is under fire after a new study from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) deemed the proposed double-decker road component economically unsound. The study highlights a significant drop in the Economic Internal Rate of Return (EIRR) from an acceptable 14% to just 9.07% when this feature is included. This raises alarms about the project's ability to achieve its core objectives of enhancing public transport and reducing congestion.
The IISc's findings starkly contrast with an earlier report by RITES Ltd, which had projected a more favorable EIRR of 15.9% with the double-decker. The IISc argues that adding an elevated road will likely divert commuters back to private vehicles, undermining the very purpose of the metro system. This shift could see daily ridership drop from 8.09 lakh to 7.98 lakh, while private vehicle usage is expected to rise, exacerbating Bengaluru's notorious traffic woes.
Moreover, the financial implications are troubling. Incorporating the double-decker could inflate the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited's capital expenditure by nearly Rs 2,864 crore. This raises a critical question: is the city investing in a solution that will ultimately worsen its traffic crisis? The additional costs and potential environmental impact from increased fuel consumption—estimated at 7,023 liters per day—could burden taxpayers further.
