Bengaluru Metro Blue Line trial runs on the K.R. Puram-Central Silk Board stretch are scheduled to begin by the end of October, Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said on Thursday.
The announcement came as the minister reviewed construction progress and directed officials to accelerate work on the delayed Blue Line corridors connecting K.R. Puram with Hebbal and Kempegowda International Airport.
The elevated section of the Pink Line between Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere could receive approval for passenger operations within four to five days, Gowda said.
The 7.5-km section has completed trial runs, safety checks and electrical tests over the past seven to eight months. The remaining step is official clearance for passenger services.
The Karnataka government has written to the Union government and the ministers concerned, seeking an early decision on the inauguration date. Gowda said the Chief Minister’s letter had not received a response and indicated he would seek a meeting with the Union minister to expedite approval.
Bengaluru Metro Blue Line faces construction delays
The Blue Line corridors under Metro Phases 2A and 2B are important to Bengaluru’s transport network. However, construction between K.R. Puram, Nagawara and Hebbal has fallen at least a year behind schedule, according to the minister.
Work near K.R. Puram faced a delay of approximately one year because of a court stay on tree-felling. The approval process involved proceedings before the Tree Committee and the High Court.
Relocating Cauvery water supply pipelines and underground drainage infrastructure also affected construction. The Veerannapalya-Hebbal stretch experienced delays of around six to eight months because existing utilities had to be shifted and replacement lines laid.
Heavy traffic along the Outer Ring Road has further constrained construction activity. Workers have consequently carried out much of the work between 7 pm and the early morning hours.
Gowda acknowledged the challenges but said contractors had not worked at the required pace. He directed officials to accelerate construction and prevent further delays.
Blue Line operations targeted for 2027
The 19.75-km K.R. Puram-Central Silk Board corridor is expected to begin seeing train operations progressively across individual station sections from the first week of November.
The immediate priority is to extend operations towards Marathahalli. Commercial services between K.R. Puram and Central Silk Board are targeted for around the middle of 2027.
The 38.44-km K.R. Puram-Kempegowda International Airport corridor is also under construction. The government aims to begin train operations on the Hebbal-airport stretch by October or November 2027.
Gowda said officials had been directed to initiate trial runs in the first week of November and accelerate work towards Marathahalli or Hebbal.
Metro expansion to address Bengaluru traffic
The minister also instructed officials to remove construction barricades from completed sections of the Outer Ring Road to restore road space for traffic.
He said the combined expansion of metro, suburban rail and bus services could address up to 50 per cent of Bengaluru’s traffic problems once the measures become operational over the next one to two years.
The timelines remain targets outlined by the minister, while the Pink Line’s passenger launch depends on the required official clearance.
