Namma Metro Yellow Line: Bengaluru’s long-awaited Yellow Line of Namma Metro, a crucial link aimed at easing traffic on key stretches like Silk Board and Bommasandra is finally set to open. But even before the celebrations begin, commuters may find their relief short-lived. At launch, trains will operate at intervals of 25 minutes, as only three train sets are currently available for service.
The new line will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, August 10, according to the Office of Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, in a statement made on Saturday, August 2.
Namma Metro Yellow Line: Why Long Wait Between Trains?
The initial rollout will be limited, carrying only around 25,000–30,000 passengers per day far less than the 2–3 lakh daily capacity envisioned when the Rs 400-crore-per-kilometre project was first planned. According to a Times of India report, the slow start isn’t due to last-minute mishaps, but rather years of delays triggered by the pandemic, bureaucratic red tape, diplomatic hurdles, and supply chain disruptions.
As of August 2025, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has just three train sets. A fourth is expected soon, which could reduce the wait time to about 20 minutes. The full fleet of 15 trains needed to run trains every five minutes during peak hours is projected to arrive only by March 2026.
Namma Metro Yellow Line: Contract Complications and Delays
The Yellow Line’s troubles can be traced back to December 2019, when BMRCL awarded Chinese company CRRC Nanjing Puzhen the contract to supply 216 coaches. Under the agreement, 12 trains were to be built in China, with the rest manufactured in India under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. CRRC even purchased 50 acres in Andhra Pradesh for the factory.
By 2021, the plan had stalled. CRRC was unable to secure the necessary approvals to start production in India. That December, BMRCL issued a termination notice, and the dispute went to court. In April 2022, the Karnataka High Court allowed the contract to continue, granting CRRC extra time.
The company then partnered with Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd in May 2022 to manufacture 34 trains in India. However, fresh hurdles emerged after the Galwan Valley clash, CRRC engineers were unable to get visas to India for more than a year, stalling critical assembly and testing work.
Namma Metro Yellow Line: Why Borrowing Trains Isn’t an Option?
The Yellow Line uses a modern Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system, which allows closer train intervals and greater energy efficiency. Unfortunately, this system is incompatible with the trains on the Purple and Green Lines, which use different technology. Retrofitting would be both costly and time-consuming.
Additionally, the 57 trains on existing lines are already stretched to meet their own schedules, and procurement for additional trains there has also been delayed.
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Namma Metro Yellow Line Timings
The Namma Metro Yellow Line will operate everyday from 5 am to 11 pm. The train frequency varies based on the time of day:
– During peak hours, trains run every 4-6 minutes.
– During non-peak hours, the wait time will be longer, around 10-15 minutes.
Operating hours are subject to change on weekends and holidays. It is recommended that passengers check the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) official channels for the most up-to-date information. Furthermore, operation hours may be extended as the metro network grows in the future.
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Namma Metro Yellow Line Ticket Price
The Namma Metro Yellow Line will have the below prices:
1. Maximum Fare: Rs 90
2. Minimum Fare: Rs 10