The Bengaluru Blue Line Metro is expected to begin trial runs by the end of October, with trains planned to start operating between KR Puram and Marathahalli from the first week of November, Bengaluru Urban Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said after inspecting the project on Thursday.
The minister said the government has directed officials to begin opening stations in phases and to prepare for commercial operations between KR Puram and Central Silk Board within the next eight to 10 months. The announcement covers the Blue Line section being developed through the city’s eastern and northern corridors.
According to the minister, the wider Blue Line network will connect KR Puram with Hebbal and then extend towards Kempegowda International Airport. The KR Puram–airport section is planned to cover 38.44 km, while the KR Puram–Central Silk Board section covers 19.75 km. Together, the corridors will form a network of roughly 58-60 km, subject to the completion of the planned sections.
Byre Gowda said the government is targeting commercial train operations between KR Puram, Hebbal and the airport by October-November next year. He said trial operations would initially be pushed towards Marathahalli or Hebbal after the first phase begins in November.
The minister attributed delays on the Blue Line to several construction and approval-related constraints. Work around KR Puram was held up for about a year because of a court stay concerning tree felling for the second phase of the project. He said tree removal in Bengaluru requires clearances involving the tree committee and the High Court, including approval for individual trees in some cases.
Utility shifting has also slowed construction between Veerannapalya and Hebbal, where Cauvery water supply pipelines and sewerage lines have obstructed the metro works. The minister said relocating these utilities and installing new lines caused an additional delay of around six to eight months.
Traffic restrictions have further limited construction hours. Because the affected roads carry heavy traffic, work in some locations can be undertaken only between 7 pm and early morning. Byre Gowda also said some contractors had not responded at the expected speed, adding that the government was continuing to press them to accelerate the work.
The minister said the elevated 7.5-km section between Kalen Agrahara and Tavarekere had already completed its trial runs. Safety and electrical tests for that section have been conducted over the past seven to eight months.
He also directed officials to remove unnecessary barricades along the Outer Ring Road where metro construction has been completed. The move is intended to reopen road space and reduce traffic disruption at locations where the completed works no longer require barricading.
The Blue Line is part of the state government’s broader plan to address Bengaluru’s congestion through metro expansion, suburban rail and stronger public transport systems. The next stated milestones are the October-end trial run, phased station operations from the first week of November and preparation for commercial services on the KR Puram–Central Silk Board section within eight to 10 months.
