Bengaluru Metro's 3 km section, completed in 7 years, is yet to open after 20 days

While the CMRS approved the section on October 4 after a statutory inspection, it is yet to be opened for passengers due to a pending formal inauguration.

It has been over 20 days since the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS), Southern Circle, gave the green light for the commencement of commercial operations on the 3 km Nagasandra-Madavara line (Bangalore International Exhibition Centre).

While the CMRS approved the section on October 4 after a statutory inspection, it is yet to be opened for passengers due to a pending formal inauguration.

This 3 km section is an extension of the existing Green Line, which runs from Nagasandra in the northwest to Silk Institute in the south.

Also, read: 3 km in 7 years: Bengaluru Metro's most delayed section ready for commercial operations, gets CMRS nod

With heavy rains lashing Bengaluru, Tumakuru Road—a major thoroughfare connecting Bengaluru to other parts of Karnataka and Maharashtra—has become congested, causing severe hardship to road users.

Sources told Moneycontrol that after receiving the CMRS approval, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) wrote a letter to the state urban development department. The state government has now communicated to the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to schedule the availability of the Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar for the launch of the line.

A senior state government official said: “The section is ready to open as all work has been completed. Now, the Union government needs to decide whether to hold a formal inauguration or to start operations without it. We will take a decision based on the communication from the Union government.”

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Minister @mlkhattar WE DO NOT NEED ANY INAUGURATION BY ANYBODY. PLEASE GET THIS OPENED URGENTLY.WE ARE FED UP OF THESE DELAYS. WE SUFFER EVERYDAY. WHY ARE OUR MPs @Tejasvi_Surya @PCMohanMP @hd_kumaraswamy @ShobhaBJP not meeting Minister to get this done?this is terrible https://t.co/pgdy94wh29
Mohandas Pai (@TVMohandasPai) October 24, 2024

Former Infosys CFO TV Mohandas Pai expressed his frustration on X, stating, “Minister @mlkhattar, please ask @OfficialBMRCL to open up the BIEC line. Why are you delaying this? Do you enjoy seeing us suffer every day here? This is not good governance. @narendramodi, sir, please help.”

The X handle ‘Bangalore Metro Updates,’ which tracks developments related to the Bengaluru Metro, echoed similar sentiments: “Despite repeated requests and daily reminders, revenue loss for 20 days, and commuters suffering—nothing seems to bother them. This should have been the simplest decision: just extend metro operations immediately after #CMRS approval. But their obsession with inaugurations seems to be their top priority. SHAME!”

DAY 21: > CMRS has approved the start of operations on 4th October, but we're still waiting for the INAUGURATION. Can someone please bless us with their presence? A gentle reminder to @CMofKarnataka @siddaramaiah @DKShivakumar @MBPatil @PriyankKharge @PMOIndia @mlkhattar https://t.co/JdDSvAeK7h Bangalore Metro Updates (@WF_Watcher) October 24, 2024

Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya also urged the state government to prioritise public benefit over ceremonial inaugurations: “It's time to prioritise public benefit over ceremonial VIP inaugurations. I urge DCM Sri @DKShivakumar to expedite the opening of this crucial metro extension for the common good.”

This extension is likely one of the most delayed elevated metro sections in the country. In contrast, Kolkata Metro’s first section—a 3.4 km underground stretch—took nearly 10 years to complete. Currently, the Bengaluru Metro network covers only 73 km, averaging just 7 km added per year since 2011. Notably, Bengaluru was ranked as India’s most congested city in 2023 and sixth globally, according to the TomTom Traffic Index.

The 3 km Green Line extension has three elevated stations: Manjunathanagar, Chikkabidarakallu (Jindal), and Madavara (BIEC). The Green Line spans 30 km and includes 29 stations. Once the 3 km extension begins operations, the Bengaluru Metro network will expand to 76 km, including the Purple Line (Challaghatta–Whitefield, 42.17 km, 37 stations).

Also, read: India's most congested city, Bengaluru, faces train set supply crisis

Construction of the 3 km elevated Green Line extension from Nagasandra began in 2017 and was originally scheduled for completion in 27 months (by mid-2019). The Rs 298 crore contract to build the stations on the extended Green Line under Phase 2 was awarded to Simplex Infrastructures Ltd in February 2017, with civil work commencing in June 2017.

The Green Line extension from Nagasandra to Madavara has been ready for public use for over 15 days, having received all the necessary safety clearances. Yet, the delay in its formal opening is causing inconvenience to daily commuters, who continue to wait unnecessarily.It's pic.twitter.com/eVHeAJwHh4
Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) October 19, 2024

However, delays due to land acquisition issues with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), as well as delays in obtaining approval for the viaduct crossing over NICE Road from Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise Ltd (NICE), financial difficulties faced by Simplex, and the COVID-19 pandemic have delayed the work.

The extension is expected to provide metro connectivity to thousands of residents in Bengaluru’s outskirts, ensuring smoother access to places such as the Jindal Naturecure Institute and BIEC. Covering 57 acres, BIEC features 77,200 square meters of indoor exhibition space, five halls, a conference center, food courts, and ample parking. Established by the Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association (IMTMA), it has hosted many national and global events since 2007.

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