14 years on, Namma Metro’s promise still stuck in transit as Bengaluru crawls forward

Fourteen years after its first ride, Bengaluru’s Namma Metro stands as both a symbol of progress and a reminder of delay, a lifeline that hasn’t quite reached every corner of India’s tech capital.

Fourteen years ago, on October 20, 2011, Namma Metro made its debut with a modest 6.7km stretch between MG Road and Baiyappanahalli, marking the dawn of South India’s first metro system. For a city already suffocating under traffic chaos, it symbolised hope, a promise of smoother, faster commutes.

Fast-forward to 2025: Bengaluru’s Metro has expanded to 97km, with 83 stations and a daily ridership of over 10 lakh, yet the dream of a truly connected city remains elusive. For lakhs of commuters, the Metro is progress, but painfully slow progress.

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According to the Transport Department, Bengaluru adds 5.5 lakh new vehicles every year, while Namma Metro grows at just 6.5km annually. The mismatch is glaring. As cars choke every arterial road, the Metro’s pace of expansion has failed to keep up with the city’s explosive growth.

Phase I took nearly six years to become fully operational. Phase II, a 75km expansion that includes the Yellow and Pink Lines, has fared worse, with only 54km functional so far. The Pink Line, connecting Kalena Agrahara to Nagawara, has been delayed for over eight years, with completion now pushed to late 2026. The Airport Line too, spanning 58km, is unlikely to open before 2026.

Urban mobility experts contrast this with Delhi Metro, which expanded at an average of 20km per year, transforming city travel within a decade. In comparison, Bengaluru’s Metro feels perpetually stuck in construction mode.

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Adding to commuter discontent, Namma Metro has become the costliest metro network in India. The February 2025 fare hike, initially proposed at over 110% and later capped at 71%,  drew widespread criticism. The Fare Fixation Committee’s lack of transparency and approval for annual 5% hikes further angered daily users, who now pay more for a service still marred by crowding and delays.

Operational strain is worsening as well. The Purple and Green lines run 57 trainsets, while the newly opened Yellow Line operates with just four. Though one more train is expected soon, full-scale deployment won’t happen until 2026, the same year Phase II is expected to finally wrap up.