Bengaluru Metro sees limited progress in 2024; Yellow Line opening delayed again

This year, apart from the opening of a small stretch of the Green Line for public use, there was not much development in Bengaluru’s Namma Metro. Dogged by frequent delays in its projects, the much-anticipated opening of the Yellow Line was also postponed owing to delays in the delivery of rolling stock.

This year, apart from the opening of a small stretch of the Green Line for public use, there was not much development in Bengaluru’s Namma Metro. Dogged by frequent delays in its projects, the much-anticipated opening of the Yellow Line was also postponed owing to delays in the delivery of rolling stock.

Only a single prototype train set, manufactured in China, has been shipped to Bengaluru, arriving at the Hebbagodi depot on February 14, 2024. Upon its arrival, the train underwent rigorous static testing within the depot, including tests on the depot’s tracks. While operations for the Yellow Line were initially expected to begin by December 2024, the delay in the delivery of the remaining train sets has pushed the opening further.

The Yellow Line, which connects R.V. Road to Bommasandra, is now slated to be commissioned in January 2025, as confirmed by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) earlier in last month.

Spanning 18.82 kilometres, the Yellow Line is an elevated corridor featuring 16 stations and is expected to enhance connectivity in southern Bengaluru, particularly in areas housing prominent companies such as Infosys and Biocon. This line will intersect with the Green Line at R.V. Road Station and the Pink Line at Jayadeva Hospital Station.

Despite its potential, the Yellow Line has faced numerous setbacks. In 2019, the China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) was awarded a ₹1,578-crore contract to supply 216 metro coaches to BMRCL. However, the company struggled to fulfil its obligations due to its inability to establish a manufacturing plant in India, as mandated by the contract. This prompted BMRCL to issue multiple notices to CRRC and even consider encashing a ₹372-crore bank guarantee.

Recently, CRRC partnered with Kolkata-based Titagarh Wagons to deliver the remaining coaches for the metro. While this partnership has eased some concerns, the project’s timeline continues to suffer significant delays.

Meanwhile, only one stretch of the metro was inaugurated this year. The 3.14-kilometre extension of the Green Line from Nagasandra to Madavara (BIEC) commenced commercial operations on November 7, 2024. Construction of this elevated line began in 2017 and was initially expected to be completed within 27 months. However, multiple setbacks prolonged the project, which was eventually completed seven years later.