The proposal for a Mangalore-Udupi-Manipal Metro Rail connectivity corridor has gained traction, with the urban development department taking steps to assess its feasibility. The report outlines the 64km corridor, connecting Mangalore to Manipal via key urban, semi-urban, and industrial zones, ensuring connectivity to existing transport hubs, including airports, railway stations, highways, and ports. The project is crucial considering population growth, urban expansion, and the need for sustainable transport solutions.

Hegde proposed an investment model that includes govt funding, public-private partnerships (PPP), and international funding opportunities. The project is planned to be implemented in two phases. Phase 1, from 2025 to 2027, will focus on preliminary work, land acquisition, and initial construction. Phase 2, scheduled between 2028 and 2030, will involve full-scale construction, testing, commissioning, and obtaining regulatory approvals from the ministry of housing and urban affairs and the ministry of railways.

The project will be implemented in coordination with the ministry of railways, NITI Aayog, and the state govt, requiring clearances from environment, urban development, and railway authorities.