7.5-km stretch of Bengaluru Pink Line ready for inauguration, says Gowda

Karnataka Minister Krishna Byre Gowda on Wednesday, September 2, said a 7.5-km stretch of Bengaluru's Pink Line is ready for inauguration and will soon be opened to the public.

Gowda, along with BJP MP Tejaswi Surya, MLA M Krishnappa, Metro Managing Director P C Jafar and other officials, conducted a trial run from Jayadeva Station to Kalena Agrahara and reviewed the progress ahead of the opening.

"The 7.5-km Kalena Agrahara-Tavarekere stretch of Bengaluru's Pink Line is ready for inauguration and will soon be open to the public. We are hopeful of receiving an inauguration date from the Government of India in September," Gowda, the Greater Bengaluru development minister, said in a post on X.

Surya said the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) was targeting the inauguration of the stretch by the end of September and said he and Gowda had urged officials to adhere to the deadline.

"This morning, I spoke to Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety officials on the safety clearances and timelines. Rolling stock approval is expected within the next 15 days, followed by clearance for the entire line. I will work closely with officials and the Central Government to ensure these approvals are secured at the earliest," he said in a post on X.

The BJP MP said the Pink Line would help ease traffic congestion on Bannerghatta Road and strengthen Bengaluru's public transport network.

"Bengaluru needs more public transport projects like this, scientific, sustainable and designed to ease traffic, instead of stupid ideas like the Tunnel Road. Citizens and the Opposition will support such projects in the city's interest," he added.

The remarks came amid a debate over the city's proposed twin tunnel road project.

Chief Minister D K Shivakumar had earlier said the 2.5-km twin tunnel road being constructed by the Bengaluru Development Authority would help ease traffic congestion.

Calling it part of the government's long-term vision to improve Bengaluru's infrastructure and reduce travel time, Shivakumar had said, "It will be toll-free."