Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has been awarded two track-work contracts worth ₹500.94 crore (US$65.2 million) for Bangalore Metro's 56-km Line-5 (Blue Line). The line is part of Bangalore Metro's Phase 2A (ORR Line) and Phase 2B (Airport Line) and will connect Silkboard – KR Puram – Bengaluru International Airport through 30 stations on the Outer Ring Road and NH-44.

L&T's scope of work includes the supply and installation of approximately 110 km of ballastless tracks for the main-line and ballasted tracks inside the remodeled Baiyappanahalli Depot & Airport Depot at Shettigere.

BMRCL had invited bids for this critical systems contract through 2 packages (T1 & T2) in October 2022 with an unknown estimate and 3-year completion deadline.

Package T1's scope includes the entire ORR Line and a part of Airport Line between KR Puram – Kempapura, while Package T2's scope includes the Airport Line's Kempapura – Airport section.

Package T1 (Silkboard – Kempapura)

Contract Value: ₹268.47 crore (US$35.3 million)
Brief Scope: Design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of ballast less track of standard gauge (approximately 57 Track KM) in elevated viaduct section between Silk Board Metro station (Km. 0.00) to Krishnarajapuram Metro station (Km. 18.236) & between Krishnarajapuram Metro station (Km. 0.00) to Kempapura Metro station (Km. 10.200) and in Baiyappanahalli Depot, along with ballasted track in Baiyappanahalli depot of Bangalore Metro Rail Project, Phase-2A & 2B.

Package T2 (Kempapura – Airport)

Contract Value: ₹232.48 crore (US$30.9 million)
Brief Scope: Design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of ballast less track of standard gauge (approximately 51 Track KM in elevated viaduct section and 2 Track KM in Cut & Cover section) between Kempapura Metro station (Km. 10.200) to Airport Metro Station (Km. 36.530) and in Airport Depot along with ballasted track in Airport depot of Bangalore Metro Rail Project, Phase-2B.

BMRCL is now squaring away all system contracts to assign the Blue Line's team of contractors. Last month, Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) was declared as the lowest bidder to supply 318 coaches from which 222 coaches (37 trains of 6 cars) are planned to be deployed on the Blue Line.

The Blue Line is expected to be completed by 2025. Once operational, it will be the longest line in the Bangalore Metro network.