Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited has set an end-2027 target to make the city’s long-awaited Airport Metro line operational. Once completed, the addition will take Bengaluru’s Metro network to a total length of 175 kilometres, marking the largest single expansion in the system’s history. The update was shared by Abhai Kumar Rai, Adviser (Civil) at BMRCL, during a panel discussion titled Sustainability in Action: Bengaluru’s Urban Challenge. The session was jointly organised by the Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce and The Energy and Resources Institute. Rai outlined BMRCL’s broader expansion roadmap, noting that Phase 3 of the Metro, spanning 44 kilometres, is currently under construction. Detailed Project Reports for Phase 3A, covering 36 kilometres, have been prepared and are awaiting approval. In parallel, feasibility studies are under way for more than 200 kilometres of future corridors to meet Bengaluru’s long-term mobility requirements. He also highlighted the adoption of energy-efficient technologies within Metro operations, including regenerative braking systems, which are delivering energy savings of over 30 per cent. The panel discussion brought together experts from the mobility, water, climate and infrastructure sectors. Key issues debated included fragmented urban mobility, water security challenges and gaps between regulatory frameworks and on-ground implementation. Rajesh Kumar Jha, Chairman of BCIC’s Sustainability Expert Committee, said responsible development combined with environmental stewardship can strengthen Bengaluru’s urban character. The event also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between BCIC and the GRIHA Council to promote sustainable infrastructure and green building practices across the city’s industrial and corporate sectors. In addition, Springer launched the book Best Practices in Sustainable Built Environments – Case Studies from India and Australia, which showcases applied research and frameworks supporting sustainable urban transformation.