The Bengaluru Metro Blue Line project can continue its construction work near Hebbal after the Supreme Court clarified that its earlier status quo order did not prevent Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) from proceeding with metro construction in the area.
A bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kumar and Sanjeev Sachdeva considered BMRCL’s application while hearing a petition concerning land acquisition at Hebbal. The court took into account BMRCL’s submission that a delay in construction could cause financial loss to the government and worsen traffic congestion in the area.
The case relates to land acquired for the proposed interchange on the metro corridor linking the Kempegowda International Airport route with the K R Puram corridor. A portion of land at Hebbal was handed over for the interchange work after ₹20.31 crore was deposited with the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB).
According to the report, the relevant land formed part of 55 acres and 13 guntas acquired for the Lakeview project. Of this parcel, 1 acre and 27 guntas was handed over for construction of the interchange. The land acquisition process was completed on January 23, 2025.
The legal dispute began after Lakeview Tourism Corporation approached the Supreme Court on May 4, 2026. The court issued notice and passed an interim order directing both sides to maintain the status quo on the land until the next hearing. BMRCL subsequently sought clarification on whether that direction prevented it from continuing with metro-related work.
The Supreme Court’s latest clarification came after a Karnataka High Court division bench order dated April 10, 2026, which cancelled the entire land acquisition. BMRCL challenged that order before the Supreme Court. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for the metro corporation during the hearing.
The Hebbal interchange is part of the wider network planned to connect the airport corridor with the eastern parts of Bengaluru, including K R Puram. The location is also a major road traffic point, making the construction schedule relevant to both the project’s land requirements and the movement of traffic around the interchange site.
The immediate effect of the Supreme Court’s order is that BMRCL is not required to halt the metro construction work near Hebbal on the basis of the earlier status quo direction. The underlying dispute over the land acquisition remains before the court, and further proceedings will determine the legal position on the acquisition.
