Synopsis- The Pink Line of Namma Metro is India’s deepest underground line, and this corridor of 21.25 km will cater to Bengaluru’s (Phase II) most ambitious BMRCL project. The pink line is expected to be launched in phases by late 2026 to improve north-south connectivity, decongest roadways, multimodal integration and 3–4 lakh ridership (potentially).
The Namma Metro Phase II project marks a great achievement in Bengaluru’s transport history. There is 21.2 km of underground metro rail in the Pink Line – the deepest stretch of underground metro in India – serving important healthcare, education, and business neighbourhoods. The Pink Line will address transportation in the city and accessibility by connecting the flavours of north and south Bengaluru, giving the lakhs of Bengalureans another opportunity to fantasise about their daily commutes once again and relieve the transportation woes.
Route Details & Station Coverage
- The Pink Line is 21.25 kilometres long, one part consists of a 7.5-kilometre elevated section from Kalena Agrahara to Tavarekere, and one part consists of a 13.8-kilometre underground section from Dairy Circle to Nagawara (making it the longest underground stretch in the Namma Metro system).
- The Pink Line has 18 stations in total, of which 6 are elevated and 12 underground, were deliberately designed and planned to show accessibility and connectivity into densely populated, residential, educational and commercial regions.
- Notable interchange stations:
- Jayadeva Hospital (connection to the Yellow Line)
- MG Road (connection to the Purple Line)
- Nagawara (connection to the new Blue Line)
- Dairy Circle (proposed interchange station for the planned Red Line)
- Key areas:
- Kalena Agrahara, JP Nagar, Dairy Circle, MG Road, Shivajinagar, Bengaluru Cantonment, Tannery Road, and Nagawara; providing additional last-mile connections and multimodal connectivity across the city.
Construction & Technical Highlights
- Underground Section – Engineering Challenge: The alignment of Pink Line’s underground is 13.8 km in length, and it is the longest and the most technical section of the Namma Metro. This section is complicated due to heavy geological formations, such as granite and dolerite, which impact the tunnelling process. At this point, twin-bore tunnelling is finally finished, and based on civil construction work, they are at 90% completion as of mid-2025.
- Elevated Section – Job Completion: The elevated section of the Pink Line that runs from Kalena Agrahara to Tavarekere is complete as a whole, and it is just waiting for system-level testing and integration.
- Electrification – Power Supply System: The Pink Line will be powered by a 750V DC third rail system comparable to global standards for metro systems, and it will also be consistent with the existing electrification power supply system of Namma Metro.
Safety Trials & Regulatory Milestones
- Third Rail Energisation Trials Commence
- In June 2025, BMRCL commenced third rail energisation on the elevated section from Jayadeva to Tavarekere, a major step toward becoming operationally ready.
- Full Scale Testing Underway
- Calibrating the signalling system
- Integrating the telecommunications equipment
- Load of the track and the structures are being tested
- These safety trials will take about four months to complete and ensure that the entire system will operate together before opening to passengers.
- Public Safety Advice
- BMRCL has issued public safety advice to keep the public away from certain areas of the testing sites. The safety of commuters is BMRCL’s priority during this testing phase.
- CRS Inspection – Last Clearance
- On completion of trials, BMRCL will submit the corridor for an inspection by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) – a requirement for clearance before opening the line and can be used by the public.
Timeline and Budget
- Initial Deadline & Delay Approach
- Originally expected to be finished in 2020, the Pink Line has now been pushed back to 2026 due to unforeseen delays in the process.
- The opening will include two phases:
- Phase 1 (Elevated: Kalena Agrahara – Tavarekere): by March 2026
- Phase 2 (Underground: Dairy Circle – Nagawara): between September-December 2026
Reasons for the Delay
- Tunnels are always hard and complex (granite and dolerite).
- COVID-19 Pandemic: labour issues and supply chain issues
- Continuous delay in the contractors work in the early period.
- Delay in delivery of rolling stock.
Budget Inflation
Overall, the cost of Namma Metro Phase II is considerably more now than it was before. The cost was initially quoted at ₹26,405 crore but is now ₹40,614 crore, reflecting the size and complexity of the current work.
| Year | Event / Milestone | Cost (₹ crore) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Govt. of India approved Phase II | ₹26,405.14 crore | Initial Detailed Project Report (DPR) estimate |
| 2017 | Karnataka approved subordinate debt for land acquisition | +₹6,293.16 crore | For the revised land acquisition cost |
| 2018–2022 | Escalation due to construction delays, inflation, etc. | (Cost rising progressively) | No official cap yet; under review |
| Pre-2025 | Updated baseline before Cabinet revision | ₹30,695.12 crore | Recognized as the official Phase II estimate before May 2025 |
| May 2025 | Karnataka Cabinet approved a cost hike | +₹9,729.90 crore | Approved increase to meet construction cost escalation |
| May 2025 | Final Approved Budget (Post-Hike) | ₹40,425 crore | Official revised budget for Namma Metro Phase II |
| Projections | Broader estimated total by agencies & analysts | ~₹40,614 crore | May include overheads, depot upgrades, signalling integration, and contingencies |
Rolling Stock & Train Operations
- BEML as Rolling Stock Supplier
- BEML, as a trusted Indian PSU, is finalising the order for rolling stock for the Pink Line. 138 coaches (23 trains) were ordered for phase II, and there will be 96 coaches for the Pink Line.
- Trains’ advanced features
- Some level of driving automation
- Fire detection and fire suppression
- Tunnel ventilation and pressure control for passenger comfort
- Prototype and Deployment Timeline
- Prototype Delivery: September 2025
- Trial operations: Late in 2025, following systems testing
- Full deployment – scheduled for March 2026
- These trains are meant to provide operational efficiency and safety to the corridor.
Benefits & Urban Impact
- Projected Ridership & Commuter Benefit
- On completion, it is estimated that the Pink Line will provide service to 3-4 lakhs of passengers every day. It is expected to alleviate travel time, while also providing a large volume of people capacity to road transport.
- Route Access to Key Locations
- The line will have direct metro access to the following major institutions and commercial areas in Bangalore:
- IIM Bangalore, Jayadeva Hospital, MG Road, Shivajinagar
- Decongesting Roads and Traffic Within the City
- City roads, such as Bannerghatta Road, Outer Ring Road (ORR) and Central Business District (CBD) of the city will benefit from less road traffic.
- Multi-modal Facilities & Urban Development
- The Pink Line will allow for seamless transitional movement via BMTC, Indian Railway and other metro lines. It should also create goodwill for real estate development, through enhanced access to institutions, real estate and economic growth along the corridor.
Conclusion
The Namma Metro Pink Line is destined to be a landmark urban transit in Bengaluru’s urban transit journey. The line is at the final milestones: safety assessment, vehicle integration and CRS approval; it is well on its way to opening in phases by the end of 2026. Upon opening, the line will be one of the most advanced and significant metro corridors in India, providing safe, sustainable and seamless mobility for lakhs of Bangaloreans every day.
Written by N G Sai Rohith
