Bengaluru-Hosur Metro Update: A proposal to link the Bengaluru Metro with Hosur, an industrial town in Tamil Nadu, has sparked significant debate in Karnataka. Several Kannada groups are opposing the plan, fearing it will lead to increased migration from Tamil Nadu to Bengaluru, thus complicating life for the local population in the IT capital.

Chennai Metro Rail Limited is currently working on a feasibility report for the project, which would create the first interstate metro connection in southern India. The proposed line would stretch 23 kilometres, with about 11 kilometres in Tamil Nadu and 12 kilometres in Karnataka, featuring 12 metro stations and a depot along the route.

ALSO READ:Bengaluru Family Forgets To Take Off Rs 4 Lakh Gold Chain From Ganesha Idol During Immersion, Here's What Happened Next

Narayan Gowda, president of the pro-Kannada group Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, expressed concerns about the potential for more people from Tamil Nadu to settle in Bengaluru. “We already have lakhs of people from Tamil Nadu here,” he said. “If we connect the metro to Tamil Nadu, it will only make it easier for more to migrate, which will make life tough for Kannadigas.” He added that he and others raised their objections with Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who stated that no final decision has been made.

The Karnataka government has maintained a neutral stance on the project after approving a pre-feasibility study by Tamil Nadu. Officials are hesitant about sharing project costs, especially as Karnataka is already losing investment opportunities to Hosur, notably in the manufacturing sector. For instance, Ola has opened a manufacturing facility in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, while other companies are also favouring the Hosur-Krishnagiri area over Bengaluru.

ALSO READ:'Shorts Not Allowed In Bengaluru?': Elderly Woman Shames Influencer For Wearing Shorts On Road, Video Goes Viral

Pro-Kannada activists argue that the focus should be on securing investment and jobs for Karnataka rather than facilitating the connectivity between Bengaluru and Hosur, which they believe would benefit Tamil Nadu more. “We need to protect the interests of Kannadigas,” said Sajith, another activist. “Why extend the metro to Hosur instead of developing areas like Ramanagara or Bidadi in Karnataka?”

The Congress party has assured citizens that it will prioritise the interests of Karnataka. “We will do everything necessary to safeguard the interests of Kannadigas and Bengaluru,” said Congress MLA Rizwan Arshad.