Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has announced that 95% of the tunneling work for the Pink Line of Namma Metro is complete, with the 21-km stretch expected to be operational by 2026. The corridor runs from Kalena Agrahara in South Bengaluru to Nagawara in the North, including a 13.8-km underground section from Dairy Circle to Nagawara.

BMRCL Chief Engineer (Underground), Subrahmanya Gudge, highlighted that the Pink Line stations will generally have only two entries, except MG Road Metro station, which will feature four to prevent road crossings. He also emphasized how lessons from Phase 1 streamlined tunneling in Phase 2. “Unlike the earlier phase, which involved international experts from Germany, Japan, and Thailand, the current phase relied entirely on BMRCL’s in-house team and Indian expertise,” he said.

Construction for the Pink Line began in August 2020 at Cantonment underground station with a tunnel boring machine (TBM). Over time, eight additional TBMs were deployed, culminating in the final breakthrough at Nagawara on October 30, 2024.

The next phase of work will focus on systems including traction, signaling, telecommunication, electrical infrastructure, tunnel ventilation, air-conditioning, and signage. For the first time in Bengaluru Metro, underground stations on the Pink Line will feature platform screen doors. Trains on the stretch will operate at a maximum speed of 80 kmph, with stations spanning 200 meters.

In comparison, Phase 1 of Bengaluru Metro involved 10 km of tunnels with seven underground stations, including the Majestic interchange, and took over five years to complete with six TBMs.