The new trains support DTG (Distance to Exit) and are similar in design to the CBTC-equipped trains planned for the Yellow Line (Electronics City corridor). | Photo credit: K. MURALI KUMAR
Some relief is in sight for Bengaluru’s Namma Metro commuters, with Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) planning to deploy an entire fleet of 21 new six-car trains supplied by China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) on the green line.
The move is expected to significantly ease congestion on the Purple Line, the busiest corridor in the city’s metro network, as existing Green Line train sets will be shifted to the Purple Line.
Namma Metro officials said the plan involves shifting the existing Phase 1 trainsets currently operating on the Green Line to the 43km Purple Line corridor between Whitefield and Challaghatta. “As ridership on the Purple Line continues to grow, the realignment is expected to improve flow and reduce overcrowding, especially during peak hours,” the official said.
The CRRC prototype train, made in China, arrived in Bengaluru in January 2025, after several years of delay. Although it was originally intended to be included on the Purple Line, BMRCL is now planning to include it on the Green Line. An official said, “All 21 CRRC trainsets, including the prototype and the remaining 20 rakes, which are scheduled to arrive gradually by the middle of this year, will be deployed exclusively on the Green Line.
“As all 21 new trainsets will be located at Peenya depot, which is part of the Green Line infrastructure. Once these trains are commissioned, 17 existing Phase 1 trainsets will be shifted to the Purple Line. In net terms, the Purple Line will get 17 more trains, while the Green Line will see a net increase of four trains,” the official added.
DTG trains
CRRC’s new trains support DTG (distance to exit) and are similar in design to the CBTC-equipped trains planned for the Yellow Line (Electronic City corridor). They are expected to offer better passenger amenities.
The prototype and subsequent trainsets will undergo extensive testing and safety checks upon arrival. Approval from statutory agencies such as the Research Designs and Standards Organization and the Metro Rail Safety Commissioner will be required before passenger transport begins.
“Subject to all mandatory clearances, we have planned to put the CRRC prototype train into service on the Green Line by March 2026,” the official said.
Delay
The introduction of the new trains comes after a long delay. In 2019, CRRC won a ₹1,578 crore contract to supply 216 metro buses to BMRCL. However, the project hit a snag after CRRC failed to set up a manufacturing facility in India, a key contractual requirement. This led BMRCL to issue several notices to the company and consider encashing the bank guarantee of ₹372 crore.
To address these issues, CRRC later tied up with Titagarh Rail Systems, a Kolkata-based firm, to manufacture and supply the remaining buses in India.
Published – 01 Jan 2026 20:37 IST
