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Published - August 23, 2026 12:52 am IST - Bengaluru

Ministers Krishna Byre Gowda and Rizwan Arshad inspecting the works at the Pink Line Kamaraja Junction Metro Tunnel, in Bengaluru on Saturday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda on Saturday announced a new deadline of March 2028 for the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited’s (BMRCL) Blue Line (Airport line) to become fully operational. However, commuters can expect to travel on parts of the line by the end of September 2027.

Mr. Gowda said the Blue Line, which is being built in two phases — 2A (Silk Board to K.R. Puram) and 2B (K.R. Puram to Airport) — would be fully completed by March 2028. However, Phase 2A, which earlier had a December 2026 deadline, would likely be opened by mid-2027. Meanwhile, the stretch from Hebbal to the Airport, which is part of Phase 2B, would be opened by September 2027.

“Completing works between Nagawara and Hebbal has several challenges, including building metro stations, as an interchange station will come there,” said Mr. Gowda. Hence, the stretch between Hebbal and Nagawara will be opened in March 2028. Earlier, the entire stretch of the Blue Line was expected to open by December 2027.

Further, he said that trial runs between K.R. Puram and Iblur and between Central Silk Board and Iblur would begin in October and December, respectively.

Mr. Gowda said the Pink Line, which spans about 21 km, has two portions — elevated and underground. The elevated portion, from Kalena Agrahara to Tavarekere, spans about 7.5 km and is ready, awaiting the green signal from the railways, according to Mr. Gowda. After taking charge of Bengaluru Development, Mr. Gowda had announced that this stretch would open by August 15, but there has been a slight delay.

Work on the underground portion, from Tavarekere to Nagawara, is under way and is likely to continue for another six months. It is expected to be ready for operations after March 2027.

“When Union government representatives and our Chief Minister are free next month, we will inaugurate the 7.5-km line,” he said, adding that the Pink Line is an important corridor, as it connects to central Bengaluru and has cost about ₹12,000 crore. He said the project has been delayed by about 1.5 years for various reasons.

Speaking about further expansion of the metro network, he said that wherever feasible, the metro can be expanded. However, to connect Bengaluru with nearby cities and hubs, options such as Suburban Rail and RRTS need to be explored.

Published - August 23, 2026 12:52 am IST

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