Bengaluru: Namma Metro’s much-awaited Blue Line, connecting Central Silk Board with Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), is now expected to be fully operational by March 2028, with the 58km corridor set to open in phases, Bengaluru development minister Krishna Byre Gowda said Saturday.The new deadline marks a three-month delay from BMRCL’s earlier target of commissioning the entire line by Dec 2027. Challenges in constructing a four-track Metro viaduct between Hebbal and Kempapura, to facilitate integration with the proposed Orange Line, are among the reasons behind the revised schedule, officials said.The minister, who inspected the underground section of Pink Line between MG Road and Shivajinagar, said BMRCL has drawn up a plan to commission Blue Line in three stages.He said works on the Central Silk Board–KR Pura stretch are at an advanced stage. Trial runs on KR Pura–Iblur section are expected to begin by Oct, while those between Iblur and Central Silk Board are scheduled for Dec 2026. “Commercial operations on Central Silk Board–KR Pura corridor are expected to start by mid-2027,” Gowda said.The Hebbal–KIA section is targeted for opening by Sept 2027. The remaining KR Pura–Hebbal section, including the stretch through Nagawara, is expected to be completed between Dec 2027 and March 2028.According to the minister, Metro construction between Hebbal and Nagawara is facing multiple execution challenges. Building stations and viaducts along the traffic-heavy Outer Ring Road (ORR) corridor has proved to be particularly difficult. Another major challenge is integrating Blue Line with the proposed Orange Line between JP Nagar and Kempapura.“As part of the integration plan, BMRCL is constructing an elevated corridor capable of accommodating four tracks between Hebbal and Kempapura. Instead of returning to carry out major construction works when Orange Line is commissioned several years later, we are building the infrastructure for four tracks now itself,” the minister explained.A senior BMRCL official said a specialised three-pier portal structure is being constructed along the 1km stretch between Hebbal and Kempapura to accommodate four Metro tracks. This will be the first such four-track elevated configuration on Namma Metro’s mainline network.Pink Line elevated stretch likely in SeptBMRCL is preparing to open the first section of the 21km Pink Line by Sept. The 7.5km elevated stretch between Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere was earlier expected to open in Aug. Currently, BMRCL is awaiting certification from railways for its rolling stock.Gowda said the inauguration will depend on the availability of the chief minister and the central govt.However, substantial work remains to be done on the 13km underground section between Dairy Circle and Nagawara. The section was earlier targeted for opening by March 2027. Gowda said he has directed BMRCL officials to speed up system works and begin trial runs from Jayadeva side.Pink Line, connecting Kalena Agrahara and Nagawara through key areas such as MG Road and Shivajinagar, will provide a crucial north-south link through Bengaluru’s central business district. Its interchange with the Blue Line at Nagawara will eventually offer Metro connectivity towards KIA via Hebbal.The minister said Rs 12,000 crore has been provided for Pink Line. “Despite various challenges, including the impact of Covid, the project has now reached an advanced stage,” Gowda said.He refused to comment on Tamil Nadu govt’s proposal for an inter-state Metro link between Hosur and Bommasandra. On demands for Metro connectivity to Bengaluru’s satellite towns and neighbouring districts, he said Metro alone cannot address long-distance regional transport needs. “There is a need to integrate Metro with other modes such as Bengaluru suburban rail and regional rapid transit system. I have instructed officials to explore these possibilities,” the minister added.
