The long-delayed Yellow Line of Namma Metro is set to begin commercial operations by late January 2025, with three trains running initially. One train set will join the line next month, followed by another in January, according to officials. Although civil, electrical, and signalling works for the line have been completed, the delay in commercial services is due to a shortage of train sets.
Titagarh Wagons, the supplier, has been delayed in delivering the required trains. The company has assured that one set of six coaches will be handed over to BMRCL (Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited) in December and another set in January, totalling 18 coaches.
A BMRCL official said, “Currently, trial runs are being conducted on the line using a single six-coach train. After the arrival of two additional trains from Titagarh, a safety inspection by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) is expected to take place by late December or early January. Initially, the line will operate with three trains running at intervals of 30 minutes.
BMRCL plans to increase the number of trips once all train sets are delivered. By August 2025, Titagarh is expected to supply a total of 15 six-coach trains. These additional trains will enable higher service frequency on the Yellow Line.
The 18.82 km Yellow Line, running between RV Road and Bommasandra, comprises 16 stations. It features driverless trains and has received technical approvals for signalling, traction, and braking systems from the Railway Safety Board.”
An official added, “Titagarh Wagons is contracted to supply a total of 36 trains to Namma Metro. So far, only one train set (six coaches) has been delivered. Of the remaining 35 trains, one is being imported from China, while the remaining 34 will be manufactured at the company’s facility in West Bengal.
Out of the 216 coaches to be delivered, 126 are allocated to the Purple and Green Lines, while 90 are designated for the Yellow Line.”
Sources said that among all stations on the Yellow Line, Bommasandra station lacks a pedestrian pathway, despite being a critical endpoint. The station serves thousands of workers travelling to Jigani and Bommasandra industrial areas, as well as passengers commuting to Chandapura and Attibele.
Public demand for a pedestrian pathway at Bommasandra station has been growing, citing the need for better access and as the station is expected to witness increased footfall. BMRCL has been urged to address this issue on a need basis.
