After missing the deadline, 7.5 km section of Bengal Namma Metro Pink Line is ready, inauguration expected in September

Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya along with Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda and BMRCL officials during the trial run of the Namma Metro Pink Line.

After missing several deadlines, the 7.5 km Kalena Agrahara–Tavarekere Pink Line is ready for inauguration, with Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda expressing hope that the Center will approve the inauguration date during September.

Talking about the new addition to the city metro network, Mr. Gowda said that the section is ready to open to the public and will be inaugurated as soon as the Government of India sets a date. “We are ready. As soon as the Government of India fixes the date, this section will be inaugurated and open to people for commuting,” he said on Wednesday.

Mr. Gowda had earlier said that the inauguration would take place in August 2026. This was announced after his first high-level review meeting with senior officials of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), after taking charge of the portfolio.

The minister noted that the elevated section of the Pink Line from Kalena Agrahara to Tavarekere is expected to be operational by August 15, 2026 and the underground section from Tavarekere to Nagawara is expected to be completed by March 2027.

The 7.5 km long Kalena Agrahara–Tavarekere Pink Line Bengaluru section is ready for inauguration and will soon be open to the public. We hope to receive a date from the Government of India in September.

Along with MP Tejaswi Surya, MLA M Krishnappa, Metro MD PC Jafar. pic.twitter.com/9BwxeZK0Ks

— Krishna Byre Gowda (@krishnabgowda) September 2, 2026

The Pink Line, a 21.3 km long corridor connecting Kalena Agrahara in the south to Nagawara in the north, is a key part of the metro expansion. Of the total length, 13.8 km runs underground connecting key central areas such as Dairy Circle, MG Road, Shivajinagar and Tannery Road, while 7.5 km is elevated.

The project has faced repeated delays, missed several deadlines and drawn criticism from commuters. Once operational, the corridor is expected to significantly improve the metro’s north-south connectivity.

“At present, sufficient number of trains are available to commission the elevated section. The trains are currently undergoing prescribed trials and testing and have to complete the mandatory 750 km run before being deployed for passenger service. The train operators have been identified and their mandatory training should be completed this week,” Gowda said.

BMRCL expects approval of the new rolling stock from the Railway Board soon. This will be followed by an inspection and permission from the Metro Rail Safety Commissioner to open the elevated section of the Pink Line for public service.

Published – 02 Sep 2026 17:06 IST