Bengaluru Metro’s Airport Line Yet to Reach Full Pace, 72% Work Completed.

The much-awaited Bengaluru Metro Blue Line connecting Silk Board to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has achieved only 72 per cent completion of civil works, with the project continuing to face delays despite several revised timelines.

The Union government informed Parliament that 72 per cent of civil construction on the 58-km corridor has been completed. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has set a target to complete the entire corridor by the end of 2027.

The Blue Line, being developed under Namma Metro Phase IIA and IIB at an estimated cost of ₹14,788 crore, will connect Silk Board, KR Puram, Hebbal and KIA. The latest progress report indicates that significant work remains before the corridor becomes fully operational.

Following a recent review meeting, Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said the Silk Board-KR Puram section is expected to open by the end of 2026, followed by the Hebbal-KIA stretch by mid-2027. The remaining KR Puram-Hebbal section, considered the most challenging segment, is targeted for completion by the end of 2027.

Construction of the Silk Board-KR Puram elevated corridor began in August 2021, while work on the KR Puram-Airport section started in early 2022. While progress has been steady on several stretches, the KR Puram-Hebbal section has continued to lag.

The Union government, responding to questions on metro projects across the country, said metro projects are generally planned for completion within five to six years from the date of sanction. However, timelines are affected by issues such as land acquisition, tree-felling permissions, court cases and other local challenges.

The KR Puram-Hebbal stretch has faced multiple setbacks, including a major construction accident in January 2023 when an under-construction pier collapsed, killing a woman and her two-and-a-half-year-old son. Work resumed after BMRCL introduced stricter safety measures.

Other factors contributing to delays include land acquisition hurdles, tree clearance issues, traffic congestion along the Outer Ring Road, approvals from traffic authorities and labour shortages.

BMRCL had recently set October as the target to begin trial runs on the Silk Board-KR Puram section. However, several key works remain pending, including depot connectivity to Baiyappanahalli and civil works at important stations such as Silk Board, Iblur and Marathahalli.

Orange Line Progress at 3.6%

The proposed 45-km Orange Line under Namma Metro Phase III has recorded only 3.6 per cent physical progress, according to the government’s reply in Parliament.

The corridor, connecting Kempapura-JP Nagar along the Outer Ring Road and Hosahalli-Kadabagere, was approved two years ago at an estimated cost of ₹15,611 crore.

Progress on the project has been affected by delays in approval for the Karnataka government’s proposal to construct a 37-km double-decker flyover above parts of the Metro alignment. The additional structure, estimated to cost around ₹9,700 crore, is proposed to be funded by the state government.

Although BMRCL has floated tenders for three construction packages, the pending approval has slowed implementation.

Pink Line Completion Target Set for March 2027

The Union government said Namma Metro Phase II has achieved 95 per cent completion. Of the 72 km sanctioned under the phase, all corridors except the 21-km Pink Line between Kalena Agrahara and Nagawara are operational.

BMRCL plans to commission the entire Pink Line, including its 13-km underground stretch between Dairy Circle and Nagawara, by March 2027.