'Bengaluru's Metro Mitra': Manohar Lal Khattar eulogises Tejasvi Surya for championing Yellow Line

Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar called MP Tejasvi Surya as Bengaluru’s ‘Metro Mitra’ for championing the cause of operationalising the city’s metro network.

Also Read: ‘Yellow Line to start soon’: Tejasvi Surya gives reassuring update on Bengaluru Metro

Speaking virtually at the launch of the first domestically manufactured trainset for the Yellow Line at Titagarh, Kolkata, Khattar lauded the Bengaluru South MP’s persistent efforts in following up on the city’s most crucial metro projects. He said: “It is through teamwork that we must proceed. And when that team is composed of persons like our young colleague — Tejasvi Surya — who is moving forward rapidly, our effort will doubtlessly bear fruit. I must say about our Member of Parliament, Tejasvi Surya ji, that when he undertakes any endeavour, he does so with the greatest determination. 

Grateful for your kind words, Shri @MLKhattar Ji.

Your personal presence for the launch of the metro trainset by Titagarh reflects the priority accorded by PM Sri @NarendraModi Ji-led Govt for completion of the Yellow Line and advancing Bengaluru's public infra.

This… pic.twitter.com/iyXKxvPDiE

— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) January 6, 2025

“As I have said before, he has come to me repeatedly enquiring how metro construction in Bengaluru can be accelerated and I have assured him that all metro-related work will be duly sped up. With his unparalleled contribution to bringing speed to the metro works in Bengaluru, Tejasvi Surya alone has emerged as Bengaluru’s Metro-Mitra.”

The Yellow Line of Namma Metro spans 18.8 km from RV Road to Bommasandra with 16 stations, connecting Bengaluru South’s ITBT and industrial corridors. It includes 3 interchange stations (Silk Board, RV Road and Jayadeva), enabling seamless transfers to the Pink, Green and Purple lines of the Metro. Once operational, the line is expected to serve 2.5 lakh passengers daily, significantly easing congestion in critical areas like Electronic City and Silk Board.

Speaking during the launch event, Surya said: “Today marks an important milestone in the operationalisation of Namma Metro's Yellow Line. The Yellow Line connects the heart of the residential area of Bengaluru South with the IT hub of Electronics City. After the roll out of the first trainset manufactured at Titagarh today, Titagarh is set to deliver 1 metro rail every month, and will then increase the pace to 2 trainsets a month.” 

Surya was instrumental in addressing several roadblocks during this period. Through multiple stakeholder meetings and ministerial interventions, Surya enabled the early supply of car bodies for the metro train and also obtained the necessary visa clearances for the Chinese engineers working on the metro rakes. He also coordinated a dedicated line in Titagarh for manufacturing trains for BMRCL. Surya also coordinated between CRRC and software provider Melco to deliver the beta version of TCMS (Train Control Management Software) by January 2024, ahead of its earlier June 2024 timeline.

In a city where 1.2 crore vehicles clog the roads daily, the Yellow Line could serve over 2.5 lakh passengers, easing congestion in critical corridors like Electronic City and Silk Board.

Reiterating the commitment of the Narendra Modi Government to improve India's urban infrastructure & mobility, Khattar added: “If only such young leaders emerge in every city, and every city proceeds with the same vision as Bengaluru has shown to achieve development, we can rest assured of fulfilling all our goals. It is our aim to deliver benefits to every resident, in every corner of Bengaluru. Hoping to ensure meaningful change in the life of each and every citizen.”

Surya also commented that the Union Government is keen on operationalising the line soon.