Namma Metro Green Line Extension From Nagasandra To Madavara Launches On November 7

The long-awaited 3 km Nagasandra-Madavara line, which connects to the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), is scheduled to begin passenger operations on November 7. This line is an extension of the existing Namma metro Green Line of the Bengaluru Metro.

The Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) approved the line on October 4 following a statutory inspection. However, the opening was postponed for over a month due to delays in formal inauguration. On October 18, the Karnataka Urban Development Department requested permission from the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to open the line, which was pending until recently.

According to moneycontrol report, MoHUA granted permission to the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) on the evening of November 5. A senior BMRCL official announced, "The section will be opened for passengers starting at 5 a.m. on November 7. We have received clearance from MoHUA, but we still need to finalize the timetable, enhance security, and set up other infrastructure for smooth operations."

The delay in opening the line has drawn criticism from citizens who believe it could have mitigated severe traffic congestion on Tumakuru Road following the long weekend on November 4. An online petition titled "Start BLR Metro Green Line Madavara - Nagasandra immediately," initiated by citizen Umesh Biradar on Change.org, has amassed over 1,250 signatures.

The 3 km extension includes three elevated stations: Manjunathanagar, Chikkabidarakallu (Jindal), and Madavara (BIEC). Once operational, the Bengaluru Metro network will expand to a total of 76 km, incorporating the Purple Line (Challaghatta-Whitefield, 42.17 km with 37 stations).

Construction Timeline:
Construction of the 3 km elevated Green Line extension began in 2017, with an initial completion target of 27 months (by mid-2019). The Rs 298 crore contract for building the stations was awarded to Simplex Infrastructures Ltd in February 2017, with civil work starting in June 2017.

The project encountered multiple delays due to various factors, including land acquisition issues with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and BIEC, as well as holdups in obtaining approval for the viaduct crossing over NICE Road from Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises Ltd (NICE). Financial difficulties faced by Simplex and setbacks related to the Covid-19 pandemic further contributed to the delays.

The extension is expected to improve metro connectivity for thousands of residents in Bengaluru's outskirts, ensuring easier access to locations such as the Jindal Naturecure Institute and BIEC. Covering 57 acres, BIEC features 77,200 square meters of indoor exhibition space, five halls, a conference center, food courts, and ample parking. Established by the Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers' Association (IMTMA), BIEC has hosted numerous national and global events since its establishment in 2007.