Bengaluru Metro Pink Line Moves Closer to October Opening After Railway Board Nod

Bengaluru’s much-awaited Pink Line has moved another step closer to passenger operations after the Railway Board approved BEML train sets for its 7.5-km elevated section. The approval clears an important requirement ahead of the mandatory safety inspection by the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS). Services on the elevated stretch are now expected to begin in October, subject to the required inspection and authorisation.

The Pink Line, also known as the Kalena Agrahara–Nagawara corridor, spans 21.25 km and will connect south Bengaluru with Nagawara in the north. The full corridor comprises a 13.76-km underground section and a 7.5-km elevated section, with 18 stations planned along the route.

The first stretch to open is the 7.5-km elevated corridor between Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere. It includes six stations: Kalena Agrahara, Hulimavu, JP Nagar 4th Phase, IIM Bangalore, Jayadeva Hospital and Tavarekere. Jayadeva Hospital station will provide an interchange with the existing Yellow Line, improving connectivity for commuters travelling towards Bengaluru’s southern areas and Electronic City.

According to BMRCL, the Railway Board’s approval will form part of the documents submitted to the CMRS for inspection and examination. Passenger services can begin only after the mandatory safety inspection and authorisation are completed. BMRCL officials have indicated that the CMRS process could take place in the first week of October, with services potentially starting during the second or third week, subject to approvals.

The signalling system has also cleared an important milestone, with BMRCL receiving the Independent Safety Assessor certificate. Sufficient trains for the initial elevated operation are reported to be available, while the necessary testing and operational preparations continue.

Once the 7.5-km section becomes operational, Bengaluru’s operational Metro network will cross the 100-km mark. The larger Pink Line will eventually provide a north-south connection through several important parts of the city, including M G Road, Pottery Town, Shivajinagar, IIM Bangalore and other key locations.

The Pink Line is being implemented in phases, with the remaining underground section forming the next major stage of the corridor. For commuters, the opening of the elevated section will provide a new Metro connection along the Bannerghatta Road corridor while adding another interchange to Bengaluru’s expanding rapid-transit network.