Namma Metro’s Blue Line has moved deeper into Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road technology corridor, with a trial run conducted between the Byappanahalli depot and Doddannekkundi as authorities work towards opening the Silk Board–KR Puram section by May 2027.
The trial run took place on November 10 on the up line, extending the testing conducted earlier between the Byappanahalli depot and Benniganahalli on November 7. The latest operation carried the train through the KR Puram section towards Doddannekkundi, according to the report by Vijay Karnataka.
Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited officials said the trial was conducted to check track alignment, electrical systems, signalling, rolling stock performance and the readiness of supporting infrastructure. The exercise is part of the phased testing required before safety inspections, statutory approvals and passenger operations can begin.
The Blue Line is being developed to connect Silk Board, KR Puram and Kempegowda International Airport. Its first operational phase is planned between Silk Board and KR Puram. The Outer Ring Road section is expected to serve one of the city’s largest concentrations of technology companies, office campuses and business parks, where daily road congestion has become a major commuter challenge.
The section from Central Silk Board to KR Puram is planned with stations serving locations including HSR Layout, Agara, Iblur, Bellandur, Embassy TechVillage, Devarabeesanahalli, Kadubeesanahalli, Marathahalli, ISRO, Doddannekkundi and the KR Puram interchange. KR Puram will provide an interchange with the existing Purple Line, while Central Silk Board is planned as an interchange with the Yellow Line.
The trial run is significant because the ORR corridor’s transport demand is closely tied to the location of large workplaces rather than only residential neighbourhoods. A metro service along this stretch is intended to provide a rail-based alternative for employees and other commuters travelling between eastern, southern and northern parts of Bengaluru. The source, however, does not provide a projected passenger capacity, fare structure or a confirmed opening date for passenger services.
Urban Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda welcomed the extension of trial operations. He said the testing from Byappanahalli through KR Puram to Doddannekkundi represented another step towards completing the main-line trials, and stated that the government was committed to finishing the remaining works and opening the Blue Line for public service as soon as possible.
BMRCL has set May 2027 as the target for opening the Outer Ring Road section and the Pink Line underground corridor between Kalena Agrahara and Nagawara, subject to completion of the remaining works, safety checks, signalling tests and statutory clearances. The Blue Line is subsequently expected to extend the city’s metro network towards Kempegowda International Airport.
