Pink Line elevated corridor likely to be inaugurated on November 15: CM

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar hinted that the elevated corridor of Namma Metro Pink Line is likely be opened in mid-November, saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was likely to visit the city for the Metro inauguration on November 15.

However, Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said the dates had not been definitively confirmed by the Central representatives, who had only indicated a possible visit in mid-November. He said he was seeking an appointment with the representatives next week to confirm the dates.

In a step closer to the inauguration of the line, the 7.5-km elevated corridor between Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere, received clearance from the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) on Wednesday.

V. Venkatasubramanian, Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety, Southern Circle, had completed a three-day statutory safety inspection of the corridor earlier this month.

The inspection covered the corridor’s six stations, which included Kalena Agrahara, Hulimavu, IIM-B, JP Nagar 4th Phase, Jayadeva Hospital and Tavarekere.

After obtaining the CMRS clearance, Mr. Gowda said that after considerable effort, the safety sanction has been obtained for the corridor.

“We are ready to launch public service as soon as the Government of India gives a date for inauguration. We have already written to them requesting the date. We are eagerly looking forward to inaugurating the elevated Pink Line and taking another step towards serving people better by expanding the Namma Metro network,” he wrote on X.

The State government had earlier hoped to open the line in August and it has been pushed multiple times since then. The safety audits and the availability of Union government representatives for the inauguration pushed back the deadline.

The 7.5-km stretch, which is ready for inauguration, is part of the 21.3-km Pink Line. Its opening will extend the operational Namma Metro network from the current 96.10 km to 103.60 km.

The remaining 13.8 km of the Pink Line is an underground corridor. This section will connect Dairy Circle to Tannery Road via M.G. Road and Shivajinagar. Once fully operational, the line will connect the southern part of the city with the central part, facilitating travel for many office-goers.