Bengaluru Metro to add 96 new trains, slash wait times

Bengaluru Metro will double its fleet with 96 new trains across all lines, cutting wait times to 3–4 minutes by 2027 and easing peak‑hour crowding

Bengaluru’s Namma Metro is gearing up for its biggest capacity expansion yet, with the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) announcing plans to induct 96 new trains—comprising 516 coaches—across existing and upcoming corridors. The move will more than double the fleet from 63 to 159 trains, enabling services at 3–4 minute intervals within two years and easing peak‑hour congestion for the city’s growing ridership.

Currently, the Purple and Green lines operate with 57 trains, while the recently opened Yellow Line runs just six, resulting in wait times of 13–15 minutes. Under the new plan, the Purple and Green lines will each receive 21 additional trains, with the first CRRC‑built prototype expected by April 2026. The Yellow Line will add 15 trains—nine new units plus six from BEML—bringing its frequency down to 12–13 minutes in the near term.

Expansion will also cover upcoming corridors. The Pink Line (Kalena Agrahara–Nagawara) is slated to receive 23 trains, with its elevated section targeted for mid‑2026. The ambitious Blue Line (Silk Board–KR Puram–Airport) will add 37 trains, supporting full operations by 2027. Together, these additions are expected to transform Bengaluru’s metro into a high‑frequency, city‑wide network.

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Namma Metro currently spans about 96 km with 83 stations, but BMRCL aims to extend coverage to 175 km by 2027 and 225 km by 2030. Daily ridership has already crossed 1 million in 2025, underscoring the urgency of capacity upgrades. Three new trains are scheduled to arrive by May–June 2026 for the Purple and Green lines, offering immediate relief to overcrowded commuters.

With shorter wait times and expanded reach, the metro’s upgrade promises to reshape urban mobility in Bengaluru, though experts caution that bottlenecks may shift to station access and last‑mile connectivity unless parallel improvements are made.

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