Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the elevated section of Bengaluru Metro’s Pink Line, flagging off train services between Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere. The launch will take the operational length of Namma Metro to 103.6 km, making Bengaluru’s network the second largest in India after Delhi.
Modi also travelled on the newly inaugurated corridor with Karnataka Governor Sudha Yadav, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya and Minister for Greater Bengaluru Development Krishna Byre Gowda. Modi and Shivakumar were also seen purchasing tickets at the station before boarding the train.
The 7.5-km elevated stretch, developed at a cost of approximately ₹3,470 crore, will open to the public at 6 am on November 14. It is expected to improve connectivity along Bannerghatta Road and provide commuters with access to the Electronic City corridor through an interchange at Jayadeva station.
Shivakumar said the Karnataka government was committed to expanding Bengaluru’s public transport infrastructure, improving Metro connectivity and making the city more efficient, sustainable and commuter-friendly.
In a post on X, the chief minister said he had flagged off the elevated stretch alongside Modi and Governor Sudha Yadav. Gowda and Surya were also present at the inauguration.
The chief minister said: "A New Pink Path to a Better Connected Bengaluru. Glad to flag off the elevated stretch of Namma Metro’s Pink Line, along with Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Hon’ble Governor Dr. Sudha Yadav. Hon’ble Minister for Greater Bengaluru Development Shri Krishna Byre Gowda and Hon’ble Member of Parliament Shri Tejasvi Surya were also present on the occasion."
Pink Line route and stations
The newly inaugurated section runs for 7.5 km from Kalena Agrahara to Tavarekere, passing through the Suddaguntepalya area. It comprises six elevated stations: Kalena Agrahara, Hulimavu, IIMB, JP Nagar 4th Phase, Jayadeva Hospital and Tavarekere.
The key interchange is at Jayadeva Hospital station, where commuters will be able to switch to the Yellow Line, which connects the city with the Electronic City corridor. The interchange is expected to make travel easier for passengers heading towards areas such as HSR Layout, Jayanagar and Whitefield.
The inaugurated stretch is part of the larger 21.25-km Pink Line project, which will have 18 stations. While the elevated section has six stations, the remaining 13.7-km underground portion will have 12 stations and is still under construction. The full corridor is planned to extend from Kalena Agrahara in south Bengaluru to Nagawara in the north.
Train frequency and operating schedule
Metro services on the new section will initially run at intervals of eight minutes. Five trains have been allocated to the corridor, with four operating regularly and one kept on standby.
Gowda said the frequency could be increased after the signalling system stabilises and officials assess passenger demand.
"First, the signalling has to improve. It has to stabilise," he said, adding that a decision on reducing the interval would be taken in the coming days after reviewing both factors.
Passenger services are scheduled to begin at 6 am on November 14. The initial operating schedule is expected to have the last trains departing from both terminal stations at 11 pm, while the first service on Sundays is scheduled for 7 am.
Pink Line fares yet to be announced
Gowda said fares for the newly inaugurated section had not yet been discussed. The fare structure for the corridor is therefore yet to be announced.
The opening of the elevated stretch marks the first phase of the Pink Line’s launch. Once the underground section is completed, the corridor will provide a north-south Metro connection across Bengaluru, linking residential and commercial areas with key parts of the existing network.