The opening of commercial operations on the 3.7-km extension of Bengaluru's Namma Metro 'Green' Line, spanning from Nagasandra to Madavara in north Bengaluru, is facing delays and is now expected to commence by the end of September.

This elevated route includes three stations: Manjunathnagar, Chikkabidarakallu, and Madavara, providing essential connectivity to the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) on Tumakuru Road.

Upon its launch, residents in areas such as Manjunathanagar, Chikkabidarakallu, Madavara, Tumakuru Road, Anchepalya, and Jindal Nagar will benefit from reduced travel times to the Nagasandra metro station, currently more than five kilometers away.

Officials from the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) attribute the delay to pending final testing of equipment and infrastructure. Construction on this extension began in 2017 with initial plans for completion by mid-2019. However, delays in land acquisition and disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have led to missed deadlines.

"The track work has been completed. The line will undergo testing over the next two months. We expect to commence operations by the end of September. Following trial runs and an inspection by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety, the line will be opened for revenue services," said a BMRCL official, as reported by a source.

BMRCL had previously extended the southern part of the Green Line from Yelachenahalli to Silk Institute on Kanakapura Road in January 2021. Once operational, the Green Line will span a total length of 33 km, including the extended stretch to BIEC.

As of April 2023, BMRCL has completed 92.54% of civil works from Manjunathnagar to BIEC. Delays in land acquisition have posed challenges for the project, prompting BMRCL to set a new deadline for completion and commercial operation by September. (Source: Swarajya & The Hindu)