7-year wait for 3 km Green Line extension shows Bengaluru Metro's delay pattern

Bengaluru's Namma Metro Green Line extension, which covers the 3-kilometre Nagasandra-Madavara stretch, opens on November 7 after seven years of delays. This mirrors the city's broader struggles with delayed metro projects and missed deadlines.

In Short

• 3-kilometre Green Line metro extension opens November 7 after 7-year long delay
• Delayed metro projects are a pattern in Bengaluru, with costs rising each time
• Other lines like the Yellow and Pink lines also face delayed launches

The much-anticipated 3.14-kilometre extension of the Namma Metro Green Line from Nagasandra to Madavara in Bengaluru will officially be open to the public on Thursday, November 7.

However, this little relief comes after numerous delays. To be precise, a total setback of 7 long years.

A DELAYED PROMISE

Construction of the elevated line began in 2017 with an initial timeline of 27 months and at a cost of Rs 298.65 crore. However, the project encountered multiple setbacks, stretching the completion to seven years and raising the total cost to Rs 1,168 crore, including Rs 152 crore for land acquisition. The contract for station construction was awarded to Simplex Infrastructures Ltd in February 2017, with civil work kicking off in June 2017.

WHY THE DELAY?

Scheduled for completion in 2022, the Nagasandra-Madavara stretch faced a series of setbacks due to multiple factors, including land acquisition issues, labour shortages, and construction disruptions. The COVID-19 pandemic also led to a halt in the work, as did the complexities of securing necessary approvals and resolving logistical challenges. The delays in the construction of this particular metro line underscore a broader trend in Bengaluru’s metro projects, where completion dates have often been extended, frustrating commuters and prompting demands for quicker execution.

DELAYS IN OTHER LINES

Similarly, the Namma Metro Yellow line which was initially scheduled to launch in December 2021 has also been held-up. With the latest revised deadline pushed to December 2024, Namma Metro officials are now considering a phased rollout due to ongoing delays in train deliveries.

This 19-km Yellow Line, connecting RV Road to Bommasandra near Electronics City, is expected to begin partial operations by late 2024 or early 2025. Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is considering launching services with limited trains and opening select stations initially, including Infosys Foundation Konappana Agrahara, Central Silk Board, BTM Layout, and Jayadeva Hospital. This phased rollout aims to ease traffic congestion on Hosur Road while awaiting more train deliveries.

The Pink Line, set to become Bengaluru’s longest underground metro section, is projected to fully open by December 2026. This line too is facing a year-long delay from the initial timeline. This 21.26-km line will connect Kalena Agrahara to Nagavara, with 12 underground and six elevated stations.

The opening will occur in two phases: the 7.5-km elevated stretch from Kalena Agrahara to Tavarekere is scheduled for December 2025, while the 13.76-km underground section from Dairy Circle to Nagavara is expected by December 2026.

CITY'S NEED FOR METRO EXPANSION

The city’s metro system has been a crucial need to tackle Bengaluru’s infamous traffic, but the slow rollout has often frustrated the citizens. Still, the launch of the Green line extension is a sigh of relief.

Despite the delays, the need for more metro connections in Bengaluru is obvious. With the city growing, efficient public transportation like the metro will become essential to make commuting bearable.