Modi opens Bengaluru Metro Yellow Line, boosting connectivity for 600,000 commuters
Three Vande Bharat Express trains from KSR Railway Station launched
Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the Yellow Line Metro services in Bengaluru, embarking on a 19.15-kilometre journey from R.V. Road (Ragigudda) Metro Station to Bommanahalli Metro Station.
The new metro line seamlessly connects Bengaluru’s Central District with the bustling tech hub, Electronics City, promising a major boost to daily commuters.
Before boarding, the Prime Minister was seen purchasing a ticket using the QR code-enabled vending machine, highlighting the ease of digital transactions in public transport.
During the ride, Modi engaged warmly with 16 girl students from government schools, eight children, and eight metro workers who were part of the Yellow Line Metro project.
A game-changer
The new line will boost connectivity to major hubs such as Silk Board Junction, BTM Layout, Electronic City, and Bommasandra Industrial Area, areas that house major employers like Infosys, Biocon, and TCS.
By directly linking residential neighbourhoods with tech parks and manufacturing zones, the corridor is expected to significantly decongest notorious traffic choke points, especially the Silk Board junction, and save commuters considerable travel time.
Authorities call the Yellow Line a “game-changer” for Bengaluru’s southern transport network.
Commercial services will begin on Monday, August 11.
Initially, three driverless trains will operate every 25 minutes between 5:00am and 11:00pm, with frequency expected to improve to 20 minutes as more trains are added later this month.
One-way fares will range from Rs10 to Rs90, consistent with the existing Namma Metro pricing.
For example, travel from RV Road to Jayadeva will cost Rs10, while the longest stretch, Whitefield (Purple Line) to Bommasandra (Yellow Line), will be Rs90.
Travel time saved
The Yellow Line will cut peak-hour travel to Electronic City by about half, from 1.5-2 hours by road to roughly 45 minutes.
The journey also featured close interaction with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who sat beside him and shared moments of hearty laughter, reflecting a spirit of camaraderie and shared vision for Bengaluru’s growth.
Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar, and officials from Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) briefed the Prime Minister at the Ragigudda station on the extensive Phase-2 Metro project, valued at around Rs 7,160 crore.
19 kilometres
The Yellow Line stretches over 19 kilometres and includes 16 stations, increasing Bengaluru’s metro network to more than 96 kilometres and catering to over six lakh daily commuters.
Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Labour and Employment, Shobha Karandlaje, underlined the significance of this expansion. “This route used to face heavy traffic congestion, making even ambulance access difficult. Now, thousands will benefit daily from a faster, safer commute,” she said.
The inauguration event was attended by a distinguished gathering including Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Union Ministers Manohar Lal Khattar and Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje, Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya, former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Union Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and Bengaluru Rural BJP MP C.N. Manjunath.
Despite intermittent rain, thousands of enthusiastic citizens gathered at the Ragigudda Metro Station, cheering the Prime Minister and showering flowers on his vehicle as he arrived. PM Modi acknowledged the crowd with waves and smiles, reflecting his connection with the people.
Adding to the day’s excitement, Modi also flagged off three Vande Bharat Express trains from Bengaluru’s KSR Railway Station. The trains run routes from Bengaluru to Belagavi, Amritsar to Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, and Nagpur (Ajni) to Pune, underscoring the government’s commitment to modernise India’s railways and elevate the travel experience nationwide.
Phase-3 project
Modi was also scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the ambitious Bengaluru Metro Phase-3 project, estimated at over Rs15,610 crore.
This expansion will add more than 44 kilometres and 31 elevated stations, targeting the city’s growing residential, commercial, industrial, and educational transit demands.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar hailed the Yellow Line as a “new dawn” for Bengaluru’s metro system. He shared on social media that the inaugural metro ride was driven by a woman pilot — a powerful symbol of women’s empowerment and progress in India. “This line will make travel faster, smoother, and more comfortable, bringing Bengaluru closer than ever,” Shivakumar said.
With these sweeping infrastructure upgrades, Bengaluru is poised to transform urban mobility, reduce congestion, and fuel economic growth, serving millions of commuters for years to come.
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