Bengaluru slips to third seat as Mumbai zooms past in Metro network length

Bengaluru: Namma Metro has slipped to third place in terms of operational network length, losing its position as the country's second-largest system to Mumbai Metro.The shift comes after Mumbai Metro commissioned new corridors, including the Dahisar–Kashigaon stretch and the first section of Line 2B (Mandale to Diamond Garden), extending connectivity to Thane district and linking the eastern suburbs.With the addition of roughly 10 km, Mumbai's operational network has now crossed the 100-km mark, trailing only the Delhi Metro, which remains the largest in the country with 416 km and 303 stations.By comparison, Namma Metro operates a 96-km network with 83 stations, of which about 19 km—part of the Yellow Line—was added in the past year. 15 years, 89kmNamma Metro began operations in 2011 with a 7-km elevated stretch from Byappanahalli to MG Road. Over the past 15 years, it has expanded to about 89km, averaging roughly 6km of additions per year.In contrast, Mumbai Metro, which started operations in 2014, has now overtaken Bengaluru's network in terms of operational length.Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has often faced criticism for missing project deadlines in a city where private vehicle numbers are rising rapidly. The total number of vehicles crossed 1.25 crore in Feb 2026, with nearly 2,100 new vehicles added to the roads daily.BMRCL took at least three years to open the Yellow Line due to construction delays and the non-availability of the required number of coaches. As a result, trains are currently running at a 9-minute frequency during peak hours, with passengers expected to wait a few more months for full-fledged operations.7-km stretch in next phaseIn the next phase, BMRCL plans to open a 7-km stretch of the Pink Line from Kalena Agrahara to Tavarekere on Bannerghatta Road. Unlike the Yellow Line, there is no shortage of coaches for this elevated section. The corporation has already received five train sets and is in the process of obtaining clearance for the rolling stock, aiming for a partial opening by mid-2026.BMRCL is also planning to operationalise the Blue Line stretch from Silk Board to KR Pura by 2026. However, the remaining section from KR Pura to Kempegowda International Airport has been pushed to 2027. Once these lines are operational, Bengaluru's Metro network is expected to reach nearly 175km in length.