PM Modi to open Bengaluru metro stretch; CM Shivakumar seeks extra fund, faster approvals

Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a 7.5-km elevated section of Namma Metro's Pink Line on Friday, pushing Bengaluru's operational metro network beyond the 100-km mark for the first time.

The new corridor, connecting Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere (Suddaguntepalya), will open to commuters from 6 am on November 14.

Ahead of the visit, the Karnataka government launched a social media campaign highlighting the Centre's limited financial contribution to the metro expansion and sought faster approvals for pending projects. Chief minister DK Shivakumar said the state was bearing the bulk of metro development costs, including land acquisition, construction and interest payments, while absorbing additional expenses arising from project delays.


Greater Bengaluru development minister Krishna Byre Gowda said Karnataka would formally raise the issue with Modi during his visit. He said the inauguration would take the city's operational metro network to about 103 km. Modi, along with governor Sudha Yadav, Shivakumar and others, will travel on the newly opened stretch.

The new section is expected to improve connectivity along Bannerghatta Road through the Jayadeva interchange station, linking commuters to key destinations including Electronic City, Silk Board, HSR Layout, Jayanagar, Majestic and Whitefield.

"The state is effectively investing nearly five rupees for every rupee contributed by the Centre," Gowda said, adding that the actual funding pattern differed significantly from the commonly cited 50:50 model for metro projects.

He said the Centre's share had steadily declined over successive phases of Bengaluru Metro while Karnataka continued to fund land acquisition costs, project overruns and operational losses. The state has so far borne about ₹1,046 crore in metro operating losses, with another ₹52 crore yet to be reimbursed, he added.