Local residents have symbolically ‘opened’ the Pink Line of the Bengaluru Metro and are demanding an early launch

Prototype of the state-of-the-art Driverless Metro (5RS-DM) developed for the upcoming Pink Line Corridors – Phase 2, 2A and 2B in Bengaluru to be unveiled in December 2025. | Photo credit: File photo

In a unique protest, residents along Bannerghatta Road on Monday (September 28) symbolically ‘inaugurated’ the Pink Line of the Bengal Metro by cutting the ribbon and demanded the early opening of the elevated section.

The protest came when the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) fell short of its September-end target for opening the 7.5-km section between Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere. BMRCL is currently awaiting the necessary inspection by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) before opening the section.

“We have been hearing about the opening date for months, but the deadline keeps moving. We symbolically cut the ribbon to highlight the delay and the need to get the line up and running as soon as possible,” said a local resident.

Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda inspected the corridor on September 2 and said that civil and high-rise construction is ready. He had earlier hinted that the stretch could open once the required approvals are received from the Centre.

The opening schedule has changed several times. Mr Gowda had initially announced August 15, 2026 as the target for the elevated section and said the remaining underground section between Tavarekere and Nagawara should be completed by March 2027.

The 21.3 km pink track includes 7.5 km of elevated track and 13.8 km underground. The underground section will connect Dairy Circle, MG Road, Shivajinagar and Tannery Road and provide north-south connectivity through central Bengaluru.

Published – 29 Sep 2026 0:43 IST