The long awaited Pink Line of Namma Metro has reached a key milestone as Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) starts third rail electrification tests on the elevated section between Jayadeva and Tavarekere stations. This power supply check is the first in a series of technical validations required before the 21.3 km corridor can open.

According to officials, the current trials cover the elevated stretch of the Kalena Agrahara–Nagawara route. Once the third rail passes safety checks, teams will move on to signal validation, telecommunications testing and loading trials to verify structural stability.

Originally slated for a 2020 launch, the Pink Line has faced repeated delays; BMRCL now plans a phased start up in 2026. The 7.5 km elevated segment from Kalena Agrahara to Tavarekere is due by March 2026, while the 13.8 km underground portion from Dairy Circle to Nagawara is expected by September 2026.

The underground works were especially demanding. Crews completed 21 km of twin bore tunnelling in October 2024, overcoming dense granite and even tougher dolerite boulders beneath the city. When finished, the line will link southern and northern Bengaluru, easing cross city travel and bolstering Phase 2 of the metro network.