Bengaluru: Long-awaited Blue Line — a 19-km Metro stretch from KR Pura to Silk Board along Outer Ring Road — is set to enter the testing phase in Oct, Bengaluru development minister Krishna Byre Gowda announced Friday.This stretch coming under Phase 2A project has reached an advanced stage of construction, though work continues to lag at three critical locations.After reviewing the progress of ongoing projects, Gowda said, “Clear instructions have been issued to expedite work at these locations and ensure trial runs begin in Oct. After that, it will take 5-6 months to secure the required statutory clearances for commercial operations,” Gowda said.The full KR Pura-Silk Board stretch may not be ready for testing by Oct. Owing to delays in civil works, particularly at Marathahalli, BMRCL is considering conducting oscillation trials by Research Designs and Standards Organisation on the KR Pura-Marathahalli section first. BMRCL has started receiving trainsets for Blue Line from BEML.BMRCL sources said progress at key locations, including Baiyappanahalli depot connectivity, Marathahalli, Iblur and Silk Board, will determine the corridor’s commissioning schedule. While girder launching at Marathahalli was completed in March, several follow-up works remain underway.Gowda set a fresh deadline for the elevated section of the Pink Line — a 7-km stretch between Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere. “This corridor has witnessed multiple delays. I’ve directed officials to ensure the line is commissioned by Aug 15,” Gowda said.The 13.7-km underground section from Tavarekere to Nagawara is likely to be operational only by March 2027. BMRCL’s target was Dec 2026. While station construction is largely complete, track laying, signalling, testing and other system works are still in progress.Providing updates on other projects, the minister said the 26-km airport Metro corridor from Hebbal to Kempegowda International Airport is expected to be operational by mid-2027, while the KR Pura-Hebbal section is likely to open by Dec 2027.Once the entire 58-km Phase 2A and 2B network from Silk Board to the airport becomes operational, Bengaluru’s Metro network is expected to expand to nearly 175 km by March 2028.On future expansions, Gowda said the 45-km Orange Line under Phase III — a proposed double-decker corridor — is being evaluated by RITES, with the report expected within 20 days. Once submitted, the proposal will go to the Centre for approval. Phase IIIA, which will connect Sarjapur to Hebbal, is awaiting Centre’s clearance.20yrs on, BMRCL should fulfil city’s expectations: MinTimes News NetworkBengaluru: While BMRCL enjoys operational autonomy, it must equally face accountability for repeated delays in completing Metro projects and the inconvenience caused to commuters, said Bengaluru development minister Krishna Byre Gowda.He said Bengalureans have high expectations and BMRCL must adequately respond.Noting that the foundation stone for Namma Metro project was laid in 2006, he said, “The deadlines set by BMRCL have been missed by one, two and even three years. Despite spending nearly two decades on Metro expansion, BMRCL is still unable to indicate when several ongoing projects will be completed and opened for public.”Gowda directed Metro contractors to occupy only the minimum road space required for construction activities. Prolonged occupation of roads, he said, has worsened traffic congestion across the city.“If contractors continue to block portions of roads for 3-5 years, motorists will continue to suffer. We have instructed them to complete works within fixed timelines, clear occupied stretches, and move to the next section,” he said.The minister expressed concern over construction debris and materials being left at work sites for extended periods, saying some Metro construction zones had effectively become dumping grounds. Poor site management, he added, has contributed to waterlogging during heavy rains.Referring to the ORR stretch between Veeranapalya Junction and Hebbal, Gowda said traffic bottlenecks persist despite improvements at locations such as Kodigehalli and Manyata Tech Park.Poll-linked labour shortage hits projectsMetro construction work has been impacted by a shortage of labourers following recent assembly elections, including those held in West Bengal. According to BMRCL officials, nearly half the workers who returned to their home states to vote are yet to resume work.The shortage has particularly affected the Blue Line project connecting the city to KIA, as well as ongoing work on the underground section of the Pink Line. Officials said more than 90% of workers engaged in Metro construction come from states such as Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand.“Unlike many states where a sizable portion of the workforce is local, Bengaluru’s metro projects are heavily dependent on migrant labour,” an official said, adding that contractors have been directed to mobilise adequate manpower and minimise delays. | TNN
