Relief for commuters: After many delays, Bengaluru Metro targets 175km network in two years; deputy CM DK Shivakumar reviews work, clarifies timelines

BENGALURU: Amid mounting criticism over the slow pace of Namma Metro work, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) has reiterated plans to operationalise nearly 79km of new corridors over the next two years, expanding the city's Metro network from the existing 96km to about 175km. Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar announced the timelines after reviewing the progress of ongoing work Monday.

The long-delayed expansion will primarily cover the Pink Line (Kalena Agrahara-Nagawara) and Blue Line (connecting Central Silk Board with Kempegowda International Airport). As per BMRCL's updated schedule, the elevated stretch of Pink Line from Kalena Agrahara to Tavarekere (Swagath Cross Road) is now expected to open by mid-2026, followed by the underground section from Dairy Circle to Nagawara by the end of 2026.




The Blue Line, which has also witnessed sluggish execution, will be commissioned in phases. The Central Silk Board-KR Pura stretch along the Outer Ring Road is targeted for completion by 2026. Overall, around 41km of new Metro lines are expected to become operational in 2026, while the remaining 38km from KR Pura to the airport is slated to open in a staggered manner by 2027.

Shivakumar also said tenders for the 45km Orange Line under Phase III of Namma Metro will be floated in Jan 2026, months after the project received central approval in Aug 2024. The tendering process was delayed as the state govt opted for a double-decker design — combining a road flyover at the lower level with a Metro viaduct above — requiring additional feasibility studies and design approvals.

The double-decker Orange Line project is estimated to cost Rs 25,311 crore, for which a loan will be taken from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The road flyover component alone is pegged at Rs 9,700 crore. Officials said the revised design aims to ease road congestion, even as it has added to execution delays.

Shivakumar further said the Magadi Road Metro corridor will be extended from Kadabagere to Tavarekere to serve commuters from the Magadi side and help decongest traffic on the stretch. He added that BMRCL has been directed to acquire adequate land to provide parking facilities at upcoming stations.

Studies are also under way for extending Metro services to Bidadi, Nelamangala, Devanahalli, Hoskote and other peripheral areas of Bengaluru, even as the city continues to wait for faster execution of existing and approved corridors.

Relief for Yellow Line passengers

In a relief to thousands of commuters on the Yellow Line, BMRCL will induct a sixth train for passenger operations on Tuesday. With the additional train, peak-hour services will now operate at an interval of 13 minutes from Monday to Saturday, down from 15 minutes.

However, on Sundays, the peak-hour frequency will remain unchanged at 15 minutes. BMRCL has clarified that there will be no advancement in early-morning services for now, and trains on Yellow Line will continue to commence operations at 6.30am. There will also be no change in the first and last train timings from either terminal — RV Road or Bommasandra.

BMRCL has also received the seventh trainset for Yellow Line, which is expected to be inducted into service in Jan. Once it is inducted, peak-hour frequency on the line will be reduced to 10 minutes, and early-morning services are expected to be advanced to 6am.

Arrival of prototype metro coaches for Pink Line

Ahead of the Pink Line's planned commissioning by mid-2026, BMRCL has begun receiving the first prototype trainset for the corridor. The initial batch of three Metro coaches, manufactured by BEML, arrived at the Kalena Agrahara depot on Bannerghatta Road Monday morning. The remaining three coaches were scheduled to arrive later in the day.

A senior BMRCL official said the rolling stock will undergo an extensive, phased testing and certification process. "After the coaches are assembled, static tests will be conducted at the depot, followed by line testing from the first week of Jan. Integration and testing with the signalling system are expected to begin by Feb. The entire process is elaborate and is likely to take around six months," the official said.

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