Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the 19-kilometre Yellow Line of Bengaluru Metro, linking RV Road to Bommasandra via Electronic City. The new stretch, built at a cost of ₹7,160 crore, adds 16 stations and connects major IT hubs, residential areas, hospitals, and industrial zones along Hosur Road.
Modi, accompanied by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, and other leaders, also took a ride on the newly launched corridor. Commercial operations begin August 11, with fares for the full journey set at ₹60. Initially, three trains will run every 25 minutes, offering 72 trips in each direction daily and carrying up to two lakh passengers. The line is expected to ease congestion at key choke points, including Silk Board junction.
Alongside the launch, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for Phase 3 of the metro network. This expansion, costing over ₹15,610 crore, will cover more than 44 km with 31 elevated stations and is slated for completion by the end of 2029. It will focus on improving connectivity in underserved areas such as Magadi Road and the western segment of the Outer Ring Road.
Funding Dispute Surfaces
The event also sparked a political tussle over funding responsibilities. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah claimed the state government has shouldered 87.37% of metro costs, with the Centre contributing only 12.63%, mostly in the form of loans repayable with interest. He urged the Union government to “prioritise Karnataka just like Maharashtra and Gujarat,” stressing Bengaluru’s importance to the national economy.
Siddaramaiah stated that Karnataka has allocated ₹59,139 crore towards metro phases and loan repayments, while the Centre has released ₹7,468.86 crore from its treasury.
Deputy CM Shivakumar echoed the criticism, alleging the Centre failed to meet its commitment to fund half the cost of land acquisition. He argued that Bengaluru, despite being India’s second-largest tax contributor, receives inadequate support in return. He also accused BJP MPs from the state of failing to secure additional funds for the city and pointed to pending MGNREGA dues and disparities in tax devolution compared to other cities.
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