Railway Board Approves Signalling System for Bengaluru Metro Pink and Blue Lines

The Railway Board has granted in-principle approval for the Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling and train control system for Bengaluru Metro's Pink Line and Blue Line corridors. The clearance covers the Pink Line's stretch between Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere along Bannerghatta Road, as well as the Blue Line Phase 2A and 2B corridors connecting Central Silk Board to Kempegowda International Airport.

The approval marks a crucial step toward operationalising the two lines. The clearance is especially vital for the Pink Line, where signalling approval was among the final major milestones required before starting passenger operations. Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has been pursuing this clearance with the Railway Board and the Research Designs and Standards Organisation over the past month, and will now proceed with interim speed certification.

Despite the signalling clearance, the opening of the 7.5-km Pink Line section along Bannerghatta Road is likely to be delayed to early September. BMRCL sources indicated that meeting the earlier August 15 deadline appears difficult due to pending inspections, certification, and signalling validation. Most civil works, track laying, and construction activities on the section have already been completed, and six metro trains manufactured by BEML have been supplied.

Once operational, the stretch between Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere will cover six stations, including an interchange with the Yellow Line at Jayadeva Hospital. The opening of this section will expand Bengaluru’s active metro network length to 103.6 km.

In related metro developments, BMRCL also received the 15th and final six-coach train for the Yellow Line at the Hebbagodi depot from Titagarh Rail Systems. Following inspections and a 750-km trial run, 13 of the 15 trains are expected to enter commercial service by the end of August, reducing peak-hour train frequency on the 19.75-km RV Road-Bommasandra corridor from seven minutes to five minutes.