In his first review meeting of the Namma Metro project, Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda sharply criticised the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) for repeated delays and poor worksite management, blaming Metro construction sites for worsening traffic congestion and causing what he termed the city’s “visual disfigurement”.
The nearly three-hour review meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Tushar Girinath, BMRCL Managing Director J Ravishankar and other senior officials.
Gowda said BMRCL had consistently failed to meet project deadlines since the city’s first Metro line was conceived over two decades ago and stressed that the culture of delays must change.
Minister blames worksite mismanagement
Taking a strong stand on ongoing construction practices, Gowda said Metro contractors were occupying excessive road space for prolonged periods, causing avoidable inconvenience to commuters.
He noted that debris, construction materials and poorly managed worksites had contributed to traffic bottlenecks, garbage accumulation and flooding in several parts of Bengaluru.
The minister directed BMRCL to improve worksite management and explore alternative arrangements that minimise disruption to public movement.
Fresh timelines for Metro expansion
Gowda announced revised timelines for several key Metro corridors.
The 7.5-km elevated section of the Pink Line between Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere is now expected to open by August 15. The remaining 13.75-km underground stretch from Dairy Circle to Nagavara is targeted for commissioning by March 2027.
For the much-awaited Outer Ring Road Metro corridor under Phase 2A, the minister directed BMRCL to commence trial runs on the KR Puram–Marathahalli and Marathahalli–HSR Layout stretches by October 2026. However, he acknowledged that stations at Marathahalli and Silk Board could face delays due to pending works.
Airport Metro targeted for 2027
The Hebbal–Kempegowda International Airport Metro line is now targeted for completion by June 2027, while the KR Puram–Hebbal section is expected to open by December 2027 under Phase 2B.
The minister also expressed confidence that Central approval for the 44.65-km Phase 3 project would be secured within the coming weeks, enabling BMRCL to move forward with the tendering process.
Officials said labour shortages continue to pose challenges, with workforce availability reportedly down by nearly 50 per cent across several project sites.