Bengaluru's Namma Metro is on the cusp of its most transformative expansion yet, with a series of new corridors slated to become operational between 2026 and 2027. This ambitious rollout promises to nearly double the existing network's length, fundamentally altering the daily commute for millions and offering a robust solution to the city's chronic traffic woes.
Roadmap for a Connected Bengaluru
On December 24, 2025, Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister, D K Shivakumar, laid out a comprehensive progress update for the metro's expansion. Following a review meeting with Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) officials, Shivakumar emphasized the government's commitment to enhancing urban mobility.
"Namma Metro is steadily expanding to make Bengaluru more connected, efficient, and future ready," he stated on social media. He highlighted that the current operational network spans 96 kilometres, with the recently launched Yellow Line already carrying a lakh passengers daily and reducing adjacent road traffic by approximately 30%, according to police estimates.
The minister outlined a clear timeline: 41 kilometres of new metro network will be operationalised in 2026, followed by an additional 38 kilometres, including the crucial airport link, by December 2027. This will bring the total operational length to an impressive 175 kilometres. Plans are also afoot to extend the metro to Tavarekere, Hosakote, Bidadi, and Nelamangala, for which a Detailed Project Report (DPR) is being prepared.
Shivakumar revealed that the projected cost for Phase 3 is ₹25,311 crore, with ₹15,600 crore being financed through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Tenders for works worth ₹9,700 crore are scheduled to be called in January 2026. He also confirmed that the entire Phase 3, including the Magadi Road stretch, will be developed in a double-decker format to accommodate high vehicular traffic from Hassan.
Phased Launch of Pink and Blue Lines
The expansion will be executed through the phased opening of two major lines: the Pink Line and the Blue Line.
The Pink Line's Reach 6 will be commissioned in two stages. The 7.5 km elevated section from Kalena Agrahara to Tavarekere is targeted for May 2026. This will be followed by the 13.76 km underground segment connecting Dairy Circle and Nagawara, expected to open by December 2026. Once complete, this line will provide vital north-south connectivity, linking residential zones with key business districts and transit points.
The Blue Line, which holds the key to Bengaluru's long-awaited direct metro connectivity to Kempegowda International Airport, will also roll out in phases. Phase 2A, linking Central Silk Board to Krishnarajapura over 19.75 km, aims for a December 2026 launch. The airport corridor, Phase 2B, will see the 27 km stretch from Hebbal to the airport opening by June 2027, with the remaining 11 km section from Hebbal to Krishnarajapura completed by December 2027.
Transforming Urban Mobility
The impact of this massive expansion will be profound. According to the update from Shivakumar, the operational network will first grow to 137.11 km by the end of 2026 before reaching its full 175.55 km potential by the end of 2027.
Urban transport planners and experts anticipate that this expansion will deliver significant benefits, including:
- Drastic reduction in travel times across major city corridors.
- Substantial lowering of road congestion and vehicular pollution.
- Enhanced integration of public transport, making multi-modal commuting seamless.
This strategic expansion of Namma Metro is not merely an infrastructure project; it is a critical intervention aimed at reshaping Bengaluru's urban fabric, making the city more livable and its economy more efficient by reclaiming time lost in traffic for its citizens.
