The furore over the Yellow Line of Bengaluru’s Namma Metro—an elevated, 19-km corridor linking RV Road to Electronics City—has reached fever pitch. Despite being physically complete for over two years, the corridor remains unused due to the absence of complete train sets and critical safety approvals. This has sparked a fierce blame-game between the BJP and the ruling Congress, both pointing fingers over who is responsible for the delay.
A Rs 7,000‑crore investment lies idle — three of the requisite train sets have been delivered, while the fourth is expected only by late July. The inaugural launch, originally slated for 2021, was first deferred to 2022, then rescheduled to coincide with the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, and now provisionally pushed to August 2025. However, this timeline remains contingent on two outstanding authorisations: the Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) of the signalling system, and the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) inspection, expected post mid-July. The BJP has announced a “Citizen March” this Saturday to protest what it terms misleading timelines and administrative apathy by the Congress government and Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). Leading the campaign, a senior party MP from Bangalore South and former state leader have declared their intention to meet the BMRCL managing director personally at 9.30 am, seeking clarity and accountability for the delay.
In a scathing critique, the MP declared the metro was “ready but unused,” lamenting that “commuters remain stuck in traffic while a fully built Metro line sits idle.” The party accuses BMRCL of treating Bengaluru’s citizens with disregard and demands a firm schedule for both safety clearances and coach deployment. Congress counters, citing that the Yellow Line is a joint project between the state and the central government, both of whom share funding and administrative responsibilities. The state transport minister emphasised that during the BJP’s tenure—both in Karnataka and at the Centre—the question of setting up an efficient coach-supply pipeline, or expediting CMRS approvals, was overlooked.
A Congress delegation is scheduled to meet the BMRCL MD at 9 am on Saturday to formally petition the Centre to hasten safety inspections and coach deliveries. Their insistence is that timely adherence to national technical protocols must be ensured, even if this requires acceleration through central agencies. Beyond the polemics, commuter concerns remain paramount. The Yellow Line is expected to alleviate traffic pressure along one of Bengaluru’s most congested stretches. Planners estimate that footfall could reach hundreds of thousands daily once operational. Critics say continued delays exacerbate gridlock and economic losses, undercutting the city’s sustainable mobility goals.
Meanwhile, BMRCL has announced a scheduled service interruption on the Purple Line on Sunday from 7 am to 8 am between Swami Vivekananda and Baiyappanahalli stations for essential maintenance. Other segments, including Challaghatta to Indiranagar and Baiyappanahalli to Kadugodi, will continue operations normally. Urban mobility analysts note this disruption coincides awkwardly with the political theatre, placing additional strain on commuters. While maintenance is essential, analysts argue upcoming closures during Yellow Line delays highlight deeper issues—namely, the fragile resilience of Bengaluru’s public-transport network in the face of political and bureaucratic deadlocks.
City experts emphasise that the Yellow Line’s delay not only hinders congestion relief but also stalls environmental benefits. A fully functional metro can significantly reduce carbon emissions and improve public health by shifting large commuter volumes off the roads. The delay, they warn, risks undermining both environmental and equity goals for sustainable urban development. In the current narrative, both BJP and Congress hold pieces of the responsibility. The BJP oversaw earlier delays in coach procurement and metro safety norms, while the Congress-led state faces delays over technical clearances. Both parties, the experts assert, should prioritise completion over political advantage, as metro expansion remains central to Bengaluru’s road-reduction and climate agenda.
If political rivalry continues to stall metro progress, the larger civic challenge intensifies. Bengaluru’s already clogged roads—home to one of India’s largest vehicle fleets—depend on mass rapid transit for relief. What began as a local assembly debate has now become a symbol of policy paralysis in India’s fourth-largest metropolis. The coming weeks will test that symbolism. Whether safety approvals are fast-tracked, train sets delivered, and commercial operation declared will determine if city commuters can look forward to a sustainable commute — or another political showdown. The moment Bengaluru needs action over rhetoric, all eyes will be on BMRCL, state officials, and the Centre to deliver.
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