Pink Line (Namma Metro)
The Pink Line of Namma Metro is under construction and will form part of the metro rail network for the city of Bangalore, Karnataka, India. The line connects Kalena Agrahara station on Bannerghatta Road in the south with Nagawara station on Outer Ring Road in the north. The Pink Line is mostly underground but also has a elevated section and a at-grade section. There are 18 stations on the line, including 12 underground and 6 elevated ones. Pink Line will have an interchange with the Purple Line at MG Road station. It will also have interchanges with the Yellow line at [Jayadeva Hospital Rapid transit|metro station|Jayadeva Hospital] station and with the Blue Line at Nagawara. The Blue Line is under construction.
The entire line is planned to open in two phases where the first phase, covering a total distance of 7.5 km stretch, is expected to be operational around May 2026 whereas the second phase, covering the remaining distance of 13.8 km stretch is expected to be operational around December 2026.
History
In 2007, as follow up to the Metro Phase that was about to begin construction then, RITES had recommended several mono-rail routes totaling. These recommendations were made as Government of Karnataka requested a survey of feeder routes for Phase l of metro that was to begin construction. One of the routes was entirely on Bannerghatta Road from Bannerghatta National Park up to its northern end at Hosur Road. At that stage, Bannerghatta Road was not expected to have high growth and dense population, hence the recommendation for Monorail. However, by 2010 itself, it became apparent that Bannerghatta Road would need a higher capacity system than a monorail. Also, Karnataka government did not favor a monorail system and preferred expansion of the Metro system. Accordingly, for its Phase ll, BMRC had requested DMRC for a DPR for the route between Bannerghatta to Yelahanka via:- Jayadeva Underpass, Hosur Road, Brigade Road, MG Road,
- Kamaraj Road, Tannery Road, Nagavara Junction, Sahakara Nagar, Vidyaranyapura to Yelahanka.
- Jayamahal Extension, RT Nagar, Nagavara Junction, Sahakara Nagar to Yelahanka.
Planning
Since there were plans for a line along Outer Ring Road and also the possibility that a link to Airport may have to be routed along Airport Road, BMRC opted to terminate the Pink Line in Phase ll at Nagawara.Land requirement was estimated at and Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board was tasked with acquiring land on behalf of BMRC. A total of 690 trees were to be cut to build the line.
On 14 July 2017, BMRC unveiled the alignment of the underground section of the line. The alignment included a modification from the original plan - Cantonment metro station had been proposed to be constructed on Indian Railways land next to Cantonment railway station. Due to technicalities, BMRC opted to shift Cantonment Metro Station. Cantonment Metro Station would instead be built under a playground belonging to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, near Bamboo Bazaar.
This was resented by sections of the public as the new location would be further away from the entrance of Cantonment station. SWR is however planning new suburban platforms on railways land that is towards the Metro station. A skywalk or pedestrian subway is being planned to connect the Metro station to Cantonment Railway Station.
The MG Road station on the Pink Line is to be located under Kamaraj Road and will serve as an interchange station with the Purple Line.
Tendering
Due to long underground section with tunneling in difficult geology, the cost of the Pink Line was expected to be high. Total cost estimates for the line were in March 2017.BMRCL initially floated tenders for the construction of the underground section in four packages during June 2017. However, all bids received were too high. Since bids were too high, all tenders for the underground section had been canceled by BMRCL on 26 March 2018. There was speculation of collusion as bids were similar and each bidder had quoted lowest for one package, thus all four might get to be awarded one package each. The second round of tendering resulted in bids that were closer to estimates by BMRCL and were awarded to three firms during February–November period, 2019. One of the firms won two bids. The total awarded tunneling tenders for the underground sections was ₹5,925.95 crores.
BMRCL initially awarded the Reach 6 Elevated section to Simplex Infrastructures on 8 September 2017 for a cost of. However, following the poor progress by the company BMRCL terminated the contract and called for a fresh tender to finish the remaining works on February 2021. GR Infraprojects, ITD-Cem, and Afcons made bids for the section with GR Infraprojects emerging as the lowest bidder and thus winning the tender.
Construction
Elevated SectionIn March 2017, BMRC had floated tender for construction of the elevated section between Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere stations for construction of the elevated section of Pink Line with viaduct, five stations and depot entry line to Kothanur depot. The tender was awarded to Simplex Constructions for 578.70 crores on 8 September 2017.
Due to very slow progress by Simplex, their tender was canceled and a fresh tender was called for the remaining works in February 2021. GR Infra was the lowest bidder and the tender was awarded to them in July, 2021.
Underground Section
Pre-tunneling construction work and piling for stations began in May 2019 by L&T. Tunnel boring using TBMs began in August–September 2020 by L&T with two TBMs. L&T uses four TBMs named Urja, ''Avni, Vindhya and Lavi.'' Two TBMs are used for tunnel boring southwards from Shivajinagar towards Rashtriya Military School. The other two TBMs are used for boring southwards from Cantonment to Shivajinagar after which they will be shifted back to Cantonment to bore tunnels northwards towards Tannery road.
Tunnel boring work by Afcons with three TBMs on the section between Rashtriya Military School and Dairy Circle began during March–June 2021 period.
ITD-Cem began tunnel works during June–August 2021 period on the Venkateshpura-Nagawara section.
The underground part of the Pink Line in Namma Metro is almost finished, with 95% completion between Tannery Road and Nagawara that stretches 13.76kms between two underground points. As per latest updates from the BMRCL officials, the elevated section is expected to be operational by March 2026, whereas the underground section is expected to be operational by December 2026.
On the last week of November, Namma Metro started introducing the Platform Screen Doors on this line's underground stations and has installed a mock-up at Mahatma Gandhi Road. These will be installed in all underground metro stations, which will prevent passengers from falling or jumping into the metro tracks. This will be the first metro line to have installed the PSDs for Namma Metro.
On January 11th 2026, Namma Metro began rolling stock type tests on the elevated corridor between Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere. These tests are meant to rigorously assess new trains and components for safety, performance, and regulatory compliance through lab and on-track trials, ensuring that they meet standards before public service. Crashworthiness, braking performance, and dynamic performance are among the parameters generally assessed during such tests to prevent issues and ensure passenger safety. The BMRCL is conducting tests with a six-coach train delivered by Bharat Earth Movers Limited in December of last year. According to BMRCL, these tests are expected to be completed by mid-April, after which the appropriate authorities will approve the train for commercial operations. “During the above-mentioned period, traction and brake type tests, oscillation trials at various speeds, integration tests with signalling, and power and telecommunication systems, among others, will be conducted,” the BMRCL said in a statement.