Bengaluru, Nov. 13 -- Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, in a memorandum submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, said Bengaluru Metro is a crucial lifeline, and with the inauguration of 7.5 km of Pink Line, Namma Metro will cross 103 km, making it the second-largest metro in the country.

In his memorandum dated November 13, from Vidhana Soudha, the Chief Minister said Bengaluru is the fastest-growing metropolis and needs a metro of at least 500 km. The government has set a goal of reaching 500 km in the next 10 years.

Stating that Metro projects are implemented through an SPV that is a 50:50 partnership between Centre and State, he said the actual financial burden on States is much higher. Since the state bears the ent...