Bengaluru: The long-awaited elevated section of Namma Metro’s Pink Line, from Kalena Agrahara to Tavarekere on Bannerghatta Road, is likely to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Nov 13, with commercial operations expected to begin the following day.Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya announced the date on ‘X’, but Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) is yet to formally confirm the inauguration.Sources said Modi is scheduled to visit the state on Nov 13 for a couple of events in Mysuru before travelling to Bengaluru. After flagging off the new Metro services, he is likely to take a ride on Namma Metro.In March 2023, Modi inaugurated the KR Pura-Whitefield stretch ahead of the assembly elections. In Oct 2023, he virtually inaugurated two sections of Purple Line — Benniganahalli – KR Pura and Kengeri-Challaghatta. In Aug 2025, he launched Yellow Line between RV Road and Bommasandra.Like earlier corridors, Pink Line has also faced multiple deadline extensions. BMRCL began construction of its elevated section in 2017, but work was delayed due to various factors. The 21.3-km corridor runs between Kalena Agrahara and Nagawara. While the 7.5-km elevated stretch between Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere is set to open shortly, the remaining 13-km underground section between Dairy Circle and Nagawara is expected to be operational next year.BMRCL plans to deploy four trains initially on the elevated section, with a frequency of six minutes during peak hours and 10 minutes during non-peak hours.Jayadeva to become Bengaluru’s third Metro interchange stationBengaluru will get its third Metro interchange station with the opening of the elevated section of Pink Line. After Majestic and RV Road, the six-level interchange at Jayadeva will connect Pink Line with operational Yellow Line, providing commuters with another crucial transfer point in the Metro network.BMRCL expects the new connectivity to complement ridership of Yellow Line, which connects Electronics City, one of Bengaluru’s major IT corridors, with the wider Metro network.“The elevated section of Pink Line is likely to complement ridership on Yellow Line. People travelling from Bannerghatta Road towards Electronics City are expected to use Pink Line and interchange with the Yellow Line to reach Electronics City and other areas along Hosur Road,” an official said.Spread across a built-up area of 19,826 sqm, Jayadeva is the tallest Metro station in the city. Designed as a multi-level transport hub, it integrates Metro corridors with a double-decker flyover, an underpass and at-grade roads. The station is expected to handle around 25,000 passengers during peak hours.However, despite its scale and connectivity potential, last-mile access remains a concern. Poorly lit roads beneath the double-decker flyover and the absence of proper footpaths on either side of Bannerghatta Road have raised questions about pedestrian safety.“Every day, hundreds of commuters use the road beneath the double-decker flyover to cross the junction, and many of them are Metro passengers. The stretch is poorly lit, and even during the day, it is difficult to assess the movement of traffic. Persons with disabilities face particular risks while crossing the road,” Varsha R, a commuter, said.Srihari, a regular commuter, said Jayadeva’s platforms were wider than those at Majestic and RV Road, but changing platforms remained a challenge. “Compared to the other two interchange stations, the platforms at Jayadeva are wider. However, changing platforms is quite a task. BMRCL should introduce a proper signage system to help commuters locate the different Metro platforms,” he said.
