Blue Line to Airport: Phased Opening from 2027, Full Operations by March 2028
Namma Metro's Blue Line, the 58km corridor connecting Central Silk Board with Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), is expected to be fully operational by March 2028, with services set to begin in phases, according to Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda. The new deadline marks a three-month delay from BMRCL's earlier target of commissioning the entire line by December 2027.
Speaking on Saturday, Gowda outlined a three-stage commissioning plan. The Central Silk Board–KR Pura stretch is at an advanced stage, with trial runs on the KR Pura–Iblur section expected to begin by October, and between Iblur and Central Silk Board in December 2026. Commercial operations on the Central Silk Board–KR Pura corridor are targeted to start by mid-2027, The Times of India reported.
The Hebbal–KIA section is targeted for opening by September 2027, while the remaining KR Pura–Hebbal section, including the stretch through Nagawara, is expected to be completed between December 2027 and March 2028, according to the minister. The Hindu reported that the line is being built in two phases: 2A (Silk Board to K.R. Puram) and 2B (K.R. Puram to Airport), with Phase 2A expected to open by mid-2027 and the Hebbal-to-Airport section by September 2027.
Officials attributed the revised schedule to challenges in constructing a four-track Metro viaduct between Hebbal and Kempapura, intended to facilitate integration with the proposed Orange Line. Building stations and viaducts along the traffic-heavy Outer Ring Road (ORR) corridor has proved particularly difficult, and the integration with the Orange Line adds complexity. Gowda specifically highlighted the stretch between Hebbal and Nagawara as challenging, noting that work there will continue into March 2028 due to the need to build stations as an interchange will come up in the area.
Pink Line: Elevated Section Ready, Awaiting Clearances
The much-awaited elevated section of Namma Metro's Pink Line, earlier slated to open on August 15, is now likely to open in the first week of September, subject to statutory clearances. BMRCL Managing Director PC Jaffer said, "With respect to the elevated section of the Pink Line, all that is pending is Railway Board approval for the rolling stock, which will be followed by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) inspection. From BMRCL's end, all work is done." He said the exact date would depend on statutory clearances.
The Hindu reported that the Pink Line spans about 21 km, with a 7.5 km elevated portion from Kalena Agrahara to Tavarekere that is ready, awaiting the green signal from the railways. Gowda, who had earlier announced an August 15 opening for this stretch, acknowledged a slight delay.
Work on the underground portion, from Tavarekere to Nagawara, is under way and likely to continue for another six months, with operations expected after March 2027. Jaffer said Minister Gowda had set mid-2027 as the target for completing the underground section, a deadline BMRCL considers achievable. Civil works are completed, electrification is nearly completed, and signalling work is being taken up. The project has been delayed by about 1.5 years for various reasons, according to Gowda.
Outlook and Integration
Gowda also emphasised the need to integrate Metro with other modes of transport, including Bengaluru suburban rail and regional rapid transit systems, to address long-distance regional transport needs, as reported by The Hindu.