Minister for Revenue Krishna Byre Gowda on Wednesday took strong exception to the slow progress of Namma Metro’s Blue Line (airport section) works, questioning officials of the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) over the delay that has dragged the project for years.
During an on-site inspection in his Byatarayanapura Assembly constituency, the Minister criticised officials for taking two years to erect a single Metro pillar, a task that, he said, should ideally be completed within two months.
Mr. Gowda inspected various stretches of the long-delayed Blue Line corridor, which was initially scheduled for completion in 2025, later revised to 2026, and now pushed to 2027. He questioned officials on the spot about the issues hampering speedy construction, stressing that the project’s sluggish progress was causing severe inconvenience to the public.
He highlighted several problems arising from the delay, including deteriorating road conditions, daily traffic congestion, and public frustration.
Dumped debris
Mr. Gowda said, “Construction debris and unused materials had been dumped carelessly along the alignment, creating additional hurdles for commuters. Flooding during rains has worsened the situation, and there is lack of basic drainage arrangements at the ongoing work sites.”
Calling the state of affairs unacceptable, Mr. Gowda directed the BMRCL to expedite the construction and ensure temporary measures were implemented to facilitate smoother traffic movement.
The long-anticipated Blue Line of Namma Metro, officially known as the ORR–Airport Metro Line, is divided into two key sections, Phase 2A, which runs from Central Silk Board to Krishnarajapura (K.R. Pura), and Phase 2B, which extends from K.R. Pura to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA).
According to the BMRCL, once completed, the Blue Line will form a 58.19-km uninterrupted corridor connecting Silk Board Junction in the south with the airport in the north via K.R. Pura. Of the total stretch, 19.75 km falls under Phase 2A, while the 38.44-km airport link forms Phase 2B.
Published – December 03, 2025 06:31 pm IST
