The Yellow Line, which is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 10, with passenger services likely commencing the following day, marks a significant expansion of Bengaluru’s metro network. This line is particularly crucial as it provides a direct metro link to the bustling Electronic City tech hub, a long-standing demand from the city’s tech workforce.
Commuters eagerly awaiting the launch of Bengaluru’s Namma Metro Yellow Line will soon be able to utilize its services from 5 am to 11 pm daily. However, for its initial phase, the 19.15 km RV Road-Bommasandra corridor will operate with a train frequency of 25 minutes, a detail that commuters should note while planning their journeys.
Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) officials have confirmed the operating hours, aligning them with the existing Purple and Green Lines. The decision to run trains every 25 minutes initially is attributed to the limited availability of driverless train sets. At present, only three trains are ready for passenger operations.
“With a 25-minute frequency, we don’t expect many passengers to use the Yellow Line initially,” a senior BMRCL official was quoted as saying. “However, ridership should rise significantly to 1.5-2 lakh per day once all 15 trains are in operation, which is expected by early next year.”
Despite the initial lower frequency, BMRCL has opted to open all 16 stations on the Yellow Line from the start, rather than a phased approach with fewer stations. This decision aims to maximize connectivity and utility for commuters right from day one. The one-way travel time across the entire Yellow Line is estimated to be around 38 minutes.
The Yellow Line, built at a cost of ₹5056.99 crore, has faced considerable delays due to various factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and a shortage of train deliveries from the Chinese manufacturer CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co Ltd. While a fourth train is expected to arrive by August 10, it will require an additional three weeks of testing before it can be inducted into regular service.
The BMRCL anticipates an initial daily ridership of approximately 25,000 passengers, generating an estimated revenue of ₹10-15 lakh per day. These figures are projected to surge to at least ₹60 lakh daily with full-scale operations and an increased fleet of trains.
While the 25-minute frequency might require some patience from commuters, the opening of the Yellow Line is a long-awaited development expected to bring substantial relief to traffic congestion, especially at the notoriously busy Silk Board Junction and surrounding areas, ultimately enhancing urban mobility in Bengaluru.
The 19.15 km Yellow Line, built at a cost of ₹5056.99 crore, features 16 strategically located stations. These stations are:
- RV Road
- Ragigudda
- Jayadeva Hospital
- BTM Layout
- Central Silkboard
- Bommanahalli
- Hongasandra
- Kudlu Gate
- Singasandra
- Hosa Road
- Electronic City
- Infosys Foundation Konappana Agrahara
- Biocon
- Hebbagodi
- Bommasandra
