Bengaluru Metro Blue Line Trial Runs To Start In October, But 2 Stations Face Delay | Bengaluru-news News

Last Updated:August 19, 2026, 13:27 IST

Namma Metro’s Blue Line is set for trial runs in October, but two key stations are not ready yet. A crucial link between the Blue and Yellow lines may take until May 2027

Bengaluru Metro Blue Line trials will begin in October, but work at Silk Board and Marathahalli stations is still incomplete. (Representative Image)

BENGALURU NEWS: Trial runs on Namma Metro’s Phase 2A are on track to begin in October, but trains will not enter two key stations, Marathahalli and Silk Board, anytime soon as construction work remains incomplete, sources familiar with the project told Deccan Herald.

As announced by Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda in June, trial runs on the 19.75-km Silk Board Junction-KR Puram line will begin in October in two stretches: from KR Puram to Marathahalli and from Marathahalli to HSR Layout.

However, trial runs through Marathahalli and Silk Board stations are expected to take longer because construction at both locations is still underway, as reported by Deccan Herald.

“Most of the viaduct and track work on this line has been completed, except at Marathahalli and Silk Board. At Marathahalli, all four composite girders have been installed and additional work is ongoing. At Silk Board, work on the dead end beyond the station is underway. But we’re confident of starting trial runs on KR Puram-Marathahalli and Marathahalli-HSR Layout stretches in October,” sources told DH.

The remaining work at the two stations means trains cannot immediately operate through the entire corridor despite most of the viaduct and track work being complete.

413.8-Metre Section Beyond Silk Board Under Construction

Beyond the Silk Board station, the Metro line extends 413.8 metres above the BDA flyover towards BTM Layout. This section is being built to facilitate turnback operations, allowing Metro trains to reverse direction. “Work is underway,” sources said.

The Blue Line’s Silk Board station will also be connected to the existing Yellow Line station through an elevated travelator or walkway. The facility is intended to allow passengers to interchange between the two Metro lines.

According to BLR Metro Tracker, composite girders were launched over the Silk Board flyover on August 10, while walkway-level girders are expected to be launched later. Only four spans remain pending at the location.

While the structural work is progressing, the passenger interchange infrastructure between the Blue and Yellow lines is on a separate timeline.

Rs 55.48-Crore Travelator Contract Awarded

The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) awarded the contract for the travelator and walkway on August 14 to Milan Road Buildtech LLP. The contract is worth Rs 55.48 crore, around 8% below BMRCL’s own estimated cost of Rs 58.99 crore.

However, the contract has a nine-month completion period, meaning the travelator is not expected to be ready before May 2027.

Passengers May Have To Exit Stations To Change Lines

The delay could affect passengers even if Phase 2A opens by March 2027, as announced by Gowda. If the Blue Line and the travelator are operational on different timelines, passengers changing between the Blue Line and existing Yellow Line at Silk Board may have to exit one station and enter the other to switch lines.

This means the much-awaited direct interchange between the two lines may not be available when the Phase 2A corridor opens.

The 19.75-km Phase 2A corridor is a key part of Bengaluru’s planned Blue Line network, connecting Silk Board Junction with KR Puram and passing through major traffic-heavy areas including HSR Layout and Marathahalli.

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