Bengaluru’s 7.5-km elevated Pink Line has completed its statutory safety inspection, bringing the Kalena Agrahara–Tavarekere section closer to opening for public service and expanding the operational Namma Metro network to 103.6 km. The Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS), Southern Circle, completed the three-day inspection on Thursday, according to the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL). The inspection was led by V Venkatasubramanian and his team, who examined the main line and associated infrastructure using a motor trolley on Tuesday. The team then inspected facilities at the Kothanur depot on Wednesday, conducted train trials and testing, and carried out another motor trolley inspection. On Thursday, the operations control centre at Byappanahalli was examined. CMRS approval is a statutory requirement before a metro section can be authorised for passenger operations. BMRCL said the safety authority will issue the authorisation subject to compliance with observations and conditions recorded during the inspection. The completion of the inspection does not, by itself, announce a public opening date for the corridor. The Pink Line’s elevated section runs between Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere and includes six stations: Kalena Agrahara, Hulimavu, the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, JP Nagar 4th Phase, Jayadeva Hospital and Tavarekere. The corridor is expected to improve metro connectivity along Bannerghatta Road and adjoining areas once it begins passenger service. The inspection follows other technical and regulatory milestones for the corridor. BMRCL obtained a speed certificate from the Research Designs and Standards Organisation in August 2026. The Railway Board subsequently granted provisional sanction for the rolling stock, while an independent safety assessor certified the signalling system, according to the corporation’s account reported by The Times of India. The opening of the elevated Pink Line would increase Bengaluru’s operational metro network from 96.1 km to 103.6 km. Its six stations will connect residential areas, a major educational institution and healthcare access along the Bannerghatta Road corridor, while the final authorisation remains dependent on compliance with the CMRS inspection’s observations and conditions. BMRCL’s next formal milestone is the issuance of CMRS authorisation after the stipulated observations and conditions are addressed. The corporation has not announced an opening date in the information available for this report.
