Bengaluru’s ambitious Yellow Line metro corridor has inched closer to becoming operational with the dispatch of new coaches from West Bengal.
On April 29, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) confirmed that three coaches from the third set of driverless metro trains were shipped from Titagarh Rail Systems’ manufacturing facility in Kolkata. These coaches are part of a crucial supply that is expected to enable trial runs and partial commercial operations by mid-2025, according to BMRCL.The Yellow Line, a 19.15-kilometre elevated corridor between R.V. Road and Bommasandra, has been fully constructed for several months. However, the long-anticipated launch has remained stalled primarily due to significant delays in the arrival of rolling stock. In a city already overwhelmed by mounting vehicular congestion and soaring emissions, the timely introduction of new metro services is not just an infrastructure milestone—it is critical to building a greener, more liveable Bengaluru.
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Once operational, the Yellow Line will not only link major tech and industrial hubs like Infosys and Biocon but will also connect with the Green Line at R.V. Road and the upcoming Pink Line at Jayadeva Hospital. These connections are expected to significantly decongest arterial roads, especially in southern and southeastern Bengaluru, while reducing travel time for thousands of commuters. The new line will feature 16 stations, all on elevated tracks, tailored to improve first-mile and last-mile connectivity for daily travellers.BMRCL’s Managing Director Maheshwar Rao had earlier stated that limited services on the Yellow Line could begin by June 2025, provided all rolling stock is delivered on time and regulatory approvals are granted. The full-scale commercial operation is tentatively scheduled between August and September. The first six coaches—manufactured in China—were delivered to the Hebbagodi depot in February this year, marking a turning point after prolonged procurement hurdles.
The setbacks began when the China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC), awarded a ₹1,578 crore contract to supply 216 driverless coaches in 2019, failed to establish a manufacturing base in India—an explicit requirement under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. With only a limited number of coaches arriving and no local production, BMRCL faced major roadblocks in moving the project forward. After repeated warnings and the threat of invoking a ₹372 crore bank guarantee, CRRC was compelled to partner with Titagarh Rail Systems to fulfil its commitment.The recent dispatch from Titagarh indicates that the partnership is finally yielding results, though BMRCL continues to monitor the delivery schedule closely. Another set of three coaches is expected to be shipped by May 2, with additional batches arriving between May 10 and May 15. If these timelines are met, trial runs could begin as early as June, bringing the much-delayed corridor one step closer to easing the city’s mobility crisis.
in the broader context of Bengaluru’s urban development, the operationalisation of the Yellow Line symbolises more than improved transport—it represents a shift toward sustainable urban infrastructure. By enhancing access between residential zones and job hubs, and by reducing reliance on fossil fuel-based transport, the Yellow Line is poised to make a meaningful contribution to reducing the city’s carbon footprint and promoting equitable mobility.While the delays have been frustrating for both authorities and the public, the current momentum suggests that Namma Metro’s Yellow Line may soon begin serving the very citizens who have waited years for a faster, cleaner, and more reliable way to travel across their city.
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