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The new 3 km Green Line extension features three elevated stations: Manjunathanagar, Chikkabidarakallu (Jindal), and Madavara (BIEC).
This extension is part of the existing Green Line, which runs from Nagasandra in the northwest to Silk Institute in the south. (Image via X/@PTI_News)
It’s been over 20 days since the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) gave the nod for the new 3 km Nagasandra-Madavara line to start operations, but passengers are still waiting to board.
The line connects to the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre and is an extension of the existing Green Line from Nagasandra to the Silk Institute.
Despite getting CMRS approval on October 4 after a thorough inspection, the line is yet to open due to a pending formal inauguration. Meanwhile, heavy rains have worsened traffic on Tumakuru Road, a key route linking Bengaluru to other regions in Karnataka and Maharashtra, leaving road users frustrated.
Sources revealed that after receiving approval, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) contacted the state’s urban development department. The state government has reached out to the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to set a date for the launch with Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
According to Money Control, a senior official stated, “The section is ready, but it’s up to the Union government to decide on a formal inauguration. We’ll proceed based on their response.”
Frustration is mounting among commuters and officials. Former Infosys CFO TV Mohandas Pai voiced his concerns on social media, urging Minister Khattar to expedite the opening: “Why the delay? This is not good governance!”
Bengaluru Metro Updates, a popular account tracking the metro’s progress, also criticized the situation, saying: “Despite daily reminders and losses, nothing is changing. This should have been a simple decision—extend operations right after CMRS approval!”
Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya echoed this sentiment, calling for public needs to take precedence over ceremonial inaugurations: “It’s time to prioritize public benefit and open this essential metro extension.”
The Green Line extension from Nagasandra to Madavara has been ready for public use for over 15 days, having received all the necessary safety clearances. Yet, the delay in its formal opening is causing inconvenience to daily commuters, who continue to wait unnecessarily.It’s… pic.twitter.com/eVHeAJwHh4
— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) October 19, 2024
This extension has become one of the most delayed elevated metro sections in India. For comparison, Kolkata Metro’s first section—a 3.4 km underground route—took nearly a decade to complete. Currently, Bengaluru’s metro spans just 73 km, averaging only 7 km added each year since 2011. The city was named India’s most congested in 2023 and sixth globally according to the TomTom Traffic Index.
The new 3 km Green Line extension features three elevated stations: Manjunathanagar, Chikkabidarakallu (Jindal), and Madavara (BIEC). Once operational, the metro network will grow to 76 km, including the Purple Line connecting Challaghatta to Whitefield.
Construction of the extension began in 2017, with an initial completion target of 27 months (mid-2019). The Rs 298 crore contract was awarded to Simplex Infrastructures Ltd, but the project faced multiple delays due to land acquisition issues, approvals for crossings, financial troubles, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Once open, this extension will enhance metro access for thousands living in Bengaluru’s outskirts, improving connections to key locations like the Jindal Naturecure Institute and BIEC, which boasts extensive exhibition facilities and has hosted numerous events since 2007.
