PM Modi Bengaluru Metro Yellow Line & Vande Bharat Trains

PM Modi Inaugurates Bengaluru Metro Yellow Line & Vande Bharat Trains

In a significant boost to urban and regional connectivity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, August 10, 2025, inaugurated the much-anticipated Bengaluru Metro Yellow Line and flagged off three new Vande Bharat Express trains. The day's events marked a major milestone in the city's infrastructure development, aimed at alleviating traffic congestion and providing modern, high-speed travel options for millions of commuters.

A New Lifeline for Bengaluru: The Yellow Line Metro

The Bengaluru Metro's Yellow Line is a 19-kilometer-long elevated corridor connecting RV Road to Bommasandra. Built at a cost of approximately ₹7,160 crore, this line is a critical part of the Namma Metro Phase-2 project. For a city known for its crippling traffic, the Yellow Line is more than just a new transport route; it's a new lifeline, especially for the city's tech and industrial workforce.

The line, with its 16 new stations, traverses through some of the most bustling and congested parts of South Bengaluru. Its route covers key hubs like BTM Layout, Central Silk Board, and the sprawling Electronic City, a major technology and industrial township home to hundreds of companies including Infosys and Wipro. The inauguration of this line is expected to dramatically cut down travel times for the hundreds of thousands of commuters who traverse the notoriously jammed Hosur Road and Outer Ring Road daily. Initial estimates suggest a reduction in commute time by as much as 60%, offering a much-needed respite from hours spent in traffic.

The opening of the Yellow Line also propels Bengaluru’s Namma Metro network to a total operational length of over 96 kilometers, solidifying its position as India’s second-largest metro system. Initially, services will run in a semi-automated mode with a frequency of around 25 minutes, with plans to increase this to a much more frequent schedule as more trainsets are inducted over the coming months. This expansion is seen as a strategic move to address the city’s rapid population growth and the ever-increasing demand for a reliable, efficient, and eco-friendly public transport system. Furthermore, the Yellow Line will provide crucial interchange points with the existing Green Line at RV Road and the upcoming Pink Line at Jayadeva Hospital, creating a more integrated and seamless network for inter-city travel.

Vande Bharat Express: High-Speed Regional Connectivity

Complementing the urban metro expansion, Prime Minister Modi also flagged off three new Vande Bharat Express trains from Bengaluru's KSR Railway Station. These semi-high-speed trains represent a significant leap in regional rail connectivity, promising a world-class travel experience with reduced journey times. The three new routes are:

• Bengaluru to Belagavi: This route is particularly significant for Karnataka, as it strengthens the link between the state capital and its northern regions. Covering a distance of 611 km, the Vande Bharat will complete the journey in approximately 8 hours and 20 minutes, a considerable improvement over existing train services. The train will make commercial stops at Yesvantpur, Tumakuru, Davangere, Haveri, Hubballi, and Dharwad, benefiting passengers traveling to these key cities.
• Amritsar to Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra: This service connects two major spiritual and pilgrimage centers, providing a faster and more comfortable travel option for devotees.
• Nagpur (Ajni) to Pune: This route addresses the high demand for connectivity between these two major cities in Maharashtra, offering a premium travel experience on a busy corridor.

These new Vande Bharat services, with their modern amenities, air-conditioned chair cars, and executive class coaches, are expected to become a preferred choice for inter-city travelers. The trains are part of the Indian Railways' broader initiative to upgrade its fleet and provide a faster, safer, and more comfortable journey for passengers across the country.

Broader Vision for Bengaluru's Urban Future

Beyond the inauguration of the Yellow Line and the Vande Bharat trains, PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for the Bangalore Metro Phase-3 project. This ambitious expansion, estimated to cost over ₹15,610 crore, will add more than 44 kilometers of new metro lines and 31 elevated stations. The Phase-3 project is designed to further expand the metro's reach to new neighborhoods, catering to the city's rapidly growing population and its evolving transportation needs. Together, these projects reflect a concerted effort to build a robust, multi-modal transport network that can support Bengaluru's status as a global technology and business hub.

The new metro line's impact is already being felt in the real estate sector. Areas along the Yellow Line, particularly in and around Electronic City, are witnessing a surge in residential and commercial demand. Analysts predict a significant appreciation in property values and rental rates as commuting becomes more convenient and predictable. The Yellow Line's opening is poised to spur economic growth and urban development in these previously underserved areas.

For the average commuter, the launch of these new services means more than just a shorter journey. It signifies a shift towards a more sustainable and less stressful way of life. The reduction in private vehicle usage will contribute to lower carbon emissions and a cleaner environment. By prioritizing public transport infrastructure, the government is not only tackling immediate traffic problems but also laying the groundwork for a more livable and future-ready city. The simultaneous focus on urban transit (Metro) and regional rail (Vande Bharat) demonstrates a comprehensive approach to addressing India's diverse transportation challenges, from the daily commute in a bustling city to long-distance travel between major economic centers. This day will be remembered as a landmark event in Bengaluru's ongoing journey towards becoming a truly world-class metropolis.