Blue Line to open in phases from mid-2027; full stretch by March 2028: Says KBG

Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda has announced that the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited's (BMRCL) Blue Line, also known as the Airport line, will open in phases from mid-2027, with the full stretch set to become operational by March 2028. Commuters can anticipate using parts of the line by the end of September 2027.

The Blue Line is being constructed in two phases: Phase 2A, stretching from Silk Board to K.R. Puram, and Phase 2B, connecting K.R. Puram to the Airport. Although Phase 2A, which had previously been set for completion by December 2026, is likely to be opened by mid-2027, the segment between Hebbal and the Airport in Phase 2B will be inaugurated by September 2027.

The delay in opening the entire stretch by December 2027 has been attributed to challenges in constructing metro stations and the need for an interchange station at Nagawara. Additionally, Gowda mentioned that trial runs between K.R. Puram and Iblur, as well as between Central Silk Board and Iblur, will begin in October and December, respectively.

The Pink Line, which spans approximately 21 km, also has two portions: an elevated section from Kalena Agrahara to Tavarekere, which measures 7.5 km and is ready for the green signal from the railways, and an underground portion from Tavarekere to Nagawara, expected to be completed after March 2027. Gowda expressed his anticipation of inaugurating the 7.5-km Pink Line when Union government representatives and the Chief Minister are available next month.

The Pink Line, an important corridor connecting central Bengaluru, has a cost of about ₹12,000 crore and has faced a 1.5-year delay due to various factors. Regarding the future expansion of the metro network, Gowda stated that wherever feasible, metro services can be expanded, and to better connect Bengaluru with nearby cities and hubs, options like Suburban Rail and RRTS should be considered.