The Red Line, Namma Metro's Phase 3A from Hebbal to Sarjapur, is a planned 37.8 km corridor that has Karnataka's approval but, as of 13 October 2026, still awaits the Union government's. A cost-cutting revision reduced the estimate from ₹28,405 crore to ₹25,999 crore, redesigned several central stations, and moved the target opening to April 2033.

Updated 13 October 2026. This page covers the whole route, from Hebbal through the CBD to Sarjapur. For the Sarjapur Road stretch in detail, see Sarjapur Road Metro (Phase 3A, Red Line): What Is Actually Sanctioned in 2026

What is the Red Line and where does it run?

Starting elevated at Hebbal in the north, the line runs along Ballari Road, goes underground near Mekhri Circle, passes under the central business district through KR Circle, Town Hall and Shanthinagar, continues under Dairy Circle to Koramangala, then rises again and runs elevated along the Outer Ring Road and Sarjapur Road to Sarjapura.

Deccan Herald's account of the December 2024 state approval described about 14.45 km underground and 22.14 km elevated, with 28 stations: 17 elevated and 11 underground. The revised plan lengthened the line to 37.8 km, according to Asianet Newsable. Interchanges were planned at Hebbal, Dairy Circle, KR Circle, Agara and Iblur.

Hebbal–Sarjapur metro stations: the published list

From north to south, the stations named in the published revised list are below, with the main interchanges noted. Names and exact locations can still change before construction.

  • North, elevated: Hebbala (interchange with the airport Blue Line), Ganganagar.
  • Central, underground: Mekhri Circle, Palace Guttahalli, Bengaluru Golf Course, Basaveshwara Circle, KR Circle (interchange with the Purple Line), Town Hall, Shanthinagara, NIMHANS, Dairy Circle (interchange with the Pink Line), Koramangala II Block.
  • Koramangala and ORR, elevated: Koramangala III Block, Jakkasandra, Agara and Ibbaluru (both interchanges with the ORR Blue Line), Bellanduru Gate.
  • Sarjapur Road, elevated: Kaikondrahalli, Doddakannelli, Carmelaram (near the railway station), Ambedkar Nagara, Muthanalluru Cross, Dommasandra, Sompura, Kada Agrahara Road, Sarjapura, Sarjapura Terminal.

What changed in the cost-cutting revision?

The Union government's Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs found the original estimate high against its benchmarks, particularly for the underground section, and asked BMRCL to have an independent consultant reassess it (Deccan Herald, June 2025). The revised detailed project report, submitted to the Centre in April 2026, made these changes, as reported by Asianet Newsable and Deccan Chronicle:

  • Cost: from ₹28,405 crore to ₹25,999 crore, about ₹706 crore per km.
  • Length: from 36.58 km to 37.8 km.
  • Dairy Circle: interchange station redesigned, with a planned eight-floor commercial building.
  • KR Circle: station moved slightly, with underground pedestrian connections.
  • Bengaluru Golf Course: alignment adjusted to avoid a government building.
  • Koramangala II Block: shifted 52 metres towards Hebbal.
  • Palace Guttahalli: redesigned with side platforms and added pocket tracks.
  • Town Hall and Mekhri Circle: repositioned.
  • Veterinary College station: dropped.
  • Hebbal: a 141-metre travelator planned to connect the metro to the suburban rail station.
  • Operations: platform screen doors throughout, 35 trains instead of 30, and a train every 4.5 minutes at peak.

Is the Red Line metro approved?

It has state approval only. The timeline so far:

  • 6 December 2024: Karnataka cabinet approves Phase 3A at ₹28,405 crore (Deccan Herald). Because the Centre holds a 50% stake in Namma Metro, Union Cabinet approval is needed before civil construction can begin.
  • June 2025: the Union ministry asks for the cost to be reassessed (Deccan Herald).
  • April 2026: revised DPR at ₹25,999 crore submitted to the Centre (Asianet Newsable).
  • July 2026: the ministry says the project is under appraisal and that it cannot specify when it will be approved (Oneindia, 29 July 2026).
  • 13 October 2026: we found no report of Union Cabinet approval. Approval had been reported as expected around October 2026.

When will the Red Line be completed?

The reported target is April 2033, two years later than the earlier plan, with civil construction targeted to start in May 2027, subject to central approval (Deccan Chronicle; ConstructionWorld). Treat 2033 as a target that depends on approval arriving on time.

Bengaluru's own record suggests caution. The Blue Line along the ORR and the Pink Line both saw dates move more than once; see Blue Line Metro (Silk Board to KR Puram to Airport): Timeline and Property Impact. Underground sections through a dense CBD typically take longest, and this line has about 14 km of them.

Which stretches matter most for homebuyers?

  • Hebbal and Ganganagar: Hebbal will already be an interchange on the airport Blue Line. The Red Line adds a north–south link into the CBD. For home prices, the airport line matters sooner. See Hebbal, Bangalore
  • Central Bengaluru, Mekhri Circle to Koramangala: established, high-value neighbourhoods where supply is scarce. A metro station improves daily life, but these areas are already priced as prime; do not expect the line to reprice them dramatically.
  • Agara, Ibbaluru and Bellandur Gate: the ORR Blue Line, already under construction, reaches here first. The Red Line adds a second line years later.
  • Outer Sarjapur Road, Dommasandra to Sarjapura: the largest relative change, because road congestion is the main constraint and there is no other metro planned. Also the longest wait.

How much of a metro premium should you pay today?

Very little, for a line that has not been sanctioned by the Centre and is targeted for 2033. A sensible approach is to value the home on today's commute and any metro line that is already under construction, then treat the Red Line as a long-dated option you get for free or nearly free.

  • Ask which line and phase a listing means by “metro nearby”. Blue Line stations are under construction; Red Line stations are not yet sanctioned by the Union government.
  • Ask for the station name on the published list and measure the walking distance yourself. Stations moved in the revision, and may move again.
  • Be wary of any completion date earlier than April 2033 in marketing.
  • Watch for three signals: Union Cabinet approval, BMRCL tender notices for civil packages, and land acquisition near stations.

Our view

The Red Line is a serious project with a published alignment and a cheaper revised design, but it is not yet sanctioned and its target is seven years away. Price homes along it on what exists today. For all metro-linked listings, see Metro Stations Bangalore. Another long-dated Bengaluru project buyers ask about is the STRR: STRR Bangalore 2026: Satellite Town Ring Road Status and Map