Bengaluru’s Electronics City Metro: 3 trains, 7 stations, BMRCL charts August launch plan

Moneycontrol had reported the development first in September 2024, in a report 'Major stations first: Bengaluru Metro scrambles with plan B for Electronics City line due to train crunch'.

The fully elevated 19-km Yellow Line, which connects RV Road to Bommasandra with 16 stations, was originally slated for completion in December 2021 but has faced repeated delays. The Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya, recently staged a protest demanding that the Yellow Line be opened without further delays.  BMRCL’s managing director M Maheshwar Rao, who received the memorandum at the protest site, said they are confident of opening the line before August 15.

However, sources said operations are more likely to begin by August-end, with full-fledged services only possible once additional trains are delivered. “We may get five more CBTC trains by October, and once they arrive, we can open all stations with a headway of 8–9 minutes,” said a source. He added that the fourth train from the train manufacturer Titagarh is expected to arrive by the second week of August.

Speaking to Moneycontrol, BMRCL MD Rao said: “We are evaluating both options — either to open only seven stations with a frequency of 20 minutes or to open the entire line with a frequency of around 30 minutes. We will discuss both options with the state government before taking a final decision.”

He added that the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) will inspect the line once the Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) certificate is received. “Operations could begin by August-end once the CMRS nod is secured.”

Three plans

BMRCL sources said they have prepared three contingency plans: i) Begin end-to-end operations with seven stations using three trains. ii) Operate only between Central Silk Board and Bommasandra with all station stoppages. iii) Run services only between Ragigudda and Bommasandra to avoid crowding at RV Road, as officials fear that low frequency combined with rush from the Purple and Green Lines could lead to overcrowding.

“We will have more clarity after the CMRS inspection, which is expected next week, subject to ISA approval. We haven’t received the ISA certification yet. CMRS inspection will take at least three days,” said an official. “We’re keeping our fingers crossed as this line faced unprecedented challenges due to the India-China conflict and the Make in India clause.”

Officials also said they want to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the inauguration of the Yellow Line. “This is a standalone corridor that connects IT hub Electronics City. We are also hoping he can formally inaugurate the Nagasandra–Madavara Green Line extension and lay the foundation for Phase 3,” said the official.

Phase 3 includes two corridors of the Orange Line: the JP Nagar 4th Phase–Kempapura stretch along ORR West (32.1 km) and the Hosahalli–Kadabagere line along Magadi Road (12.5 km), totalling 44.6 km. BMRCL is also hopeful of receiving early approval for the 37-km Hebbal–Sarjapur corridor under Phase 3A, the official added.

The main cause for the delay in coach delivery is attributed to the India-China border issue of June 2020. The supply was delayed due to challenges faced by CRRC in identifying a local manufacturer to meet the 75 percent local production requirement under the Make in India initiative, as well as factors like Covid, foreign direct investment policies, and trade restrictions with China.

Subsequently, CRRC partnered with Kolkata-based Titagarh Rail to manufacture and supply the coaches. Sources said CRRC engineers from China had also faced visa issues when coming to Bengaluru for testing and commissioning the trains. There were also delays in getting the propulsion systems for the trains, which came from Japan.

Also, read: Major stations first: Bengaluru Metro scrambles with plan B for Electronics City line due to train crunch