Bengaluru’s Namma Metro network has crossed the 100-kilometre mark after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 7.5-kilometre elevated section of the Pink Line between S.G. Palya and Kaalena Agrahara, according to a report by Prajavani. The section connects several important locations in south Bengaluru, including Jayadeva Hospital, JP Nagar Phase 4, Bilekahalli, Hulimavu and Kaalena Agrahara.
The inauguration took place at S.G. Palya Metro station, where Modi bought a metro ticket before travelling by train to the IIMB Metro station. Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Governor Sudha Yadav, Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda and Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya were also present during the programme, the report said.
The newly opened section forms part of the Pink Line and includes the stations at S.G. Palya, Jayadeva Hospital, N.S. Palya, JP Nagar Phase 4, Bilekahalli, IIMB, Hulimavu and Kaalena Agrahara. The route is expected to provide a direct metro connection through a dense and rapidly developing part of south Bengaluru, where Bannerghatta Road is a major road corridor.
The Jayadeva Hospital station was highlighted during the inauguration as India’s tallest interchange station, standing 29 metres above ground level. The station will serve both the Yellow Line and the Pink Line, making it a key interchange point within Bengaluru’s expanding metro system.
With the addition of the elevated Pink Line section, the Bengaluru Metro network has increased from 96.10 kilometres to 103.5 kilometres. This takes Namma Metro past the 100-kilometre threshold for the first time and places it second among India’s metro networks, according to the report. Delhi-NCR remains ahead with a network of 416 kilometres, while the Mumbai-Navi Mumbai network was reported to have 101.4 kilometres before Bengaluru’s latest expansion.
The inauguration also featured a road journey along Bannerghatta Road from the Dairy Circle area to S.G. Palya. Although a road show had not been scheduled in advance, Modi stood at the vehicle’s open door and waved to people gathered along both sides of the road and on the median. Political flags belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress and, at some locations, the Janata Dal (Secular), were visible along the route. People waited for several hours to see the Prime Minister, the report said.
Passenger services on the new section are scheduled to begin on November 14. On Mondays, trains will start from Kaalena Agrahara at 4.55 am and from S.G. Palya at 5 am. From Tuesday to Saturday, services will begin from both terminal stations at 6 am, while Sunday services will start at 7 am. The last trains will depart Kaalena Agrahara at 10.50 pm and S.G. Palya at 10.54 pm.
During peak hours, trains will operate every eight minutes, with a 10-minute frequency during other periods. The timetable marks the next operational stage for the Pink Line’s elevated section and places the newly connected stations within Bengaluru’s regular metro service network.
