IISc study warns Bengaluru double-decker metro may boost private vehicle use
A study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has raised concerns that Bengaluru's proposed double-decker metro corridors could inadvertently increase private vehicle usage and reduce public transport ridership.
The assessment, titled 'Implications of Metro Double-Decker & Elevated Corridors on Bengaluru's Mobility & Environment', was led by Ashish Verma of the IISc Sustainable Transportation Lab (IST Lab). It examined the integration of elevated roadways with Metro Phase-3 corridors.
According to the study, the design could lead to lower metro ridership, higher traffic emissions, increased fuel consumption, and elevated project costs. The findings were presented to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in a detailed technical report.
The researchers argue that the double-decker configuration, which places a road atop the metro line, may encourage more commuters to use private vehicles instead of the metro, undermining the city's long-term sustainable mobility goals.
