Yellow Line delay: BJP slams Bengaluru Metro, Congress attacks Centre
With just three out of the required train sets delivered, and a fourth expected by late July, the line's opening has been repeatedly pushed — from 2021 to 2022, and now tentatively to Aug 2025.
That too hinges on two pending clearances: the independent safety assessment (ISA) for the line's signalling system, and a statutory inspection by the commissioner of metro rail safety (CMRS), likely only after July 15.
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BJP has called for a "Citizen March" Saturday, accusing the Congress govt and BMRCL of misleading Bengalureans with missed deadlines.
Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya, along with other senior party functionaries, including R Ashoka, are slated to meet BMRCL MD Maheshwar Rao at 9.30am demanding accountability.
Surya said: "This line was supposed to open in 2021. Then in 2022. Then before the 2024 elections. Now they say July. No one knows when it will actually open. People are stuck in traffic while a fully built Metro line sits unused. BMRCL is taking Bengalureans for granted."
But Congress has pushed back sharply — turning the spotlight on the BJP-led Centre, which jointly funds BMRCL and oversees key safety and administrative clearances.
State transport minister Ramalinga Reddy said: "BJP ruled Karnataka for four years and at the Centre for 11. Why haven't they ensured coach supply or fast-tracked CMRS inspections? They should hold their own govt accountable."
A Congress delegation is also scheduled to meet the BMRCL MD at 9am Saturday, demanding that the Centre expedite the remaining approvals and train supply to prevent further delays.
The 19-km elevated Yellow Line, which passes through one of Bengaluru's most congested corridors, is expected to ease traffic for lakhs of commuters.
1-hour disruption on Purple Line
Metro services on the Purple Line will be partially disrupted Sunday, due to scheduled maintenance work between Indiranagar and Baiyappanahalli stations. As per BMRCL, operations between Swami Vivekananda Metro Station and Baiyappanahalli will be halted for one hour from 7am to 8am.
All other stretches of the Purple Line, including Challaghatta to Indiranagar and Baiyappanahalli to Whitefield (Kadugodi), will function as usual.
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