Orange Line halted: When will Metro run in West and South Bengaluru? , Bengaluru-News News

Last updated:07 January, 2026, 14:28 IST

The gap between announcement and implementation is further confusing the situation for the public. The central government approved this project in August 2024.

For commuters in West and South Bengaluru, the Orange Line of Namma Metro was being considered as the next big relief. A new corridor that will eventually connect deprived areas, cutting long travel times and reducing traffic pressure. But even after more than a year after the project got approval from the central government, there is no sign of construction on the ground.

Despite laying the foundation stone for the third phase of the metro project and getting formal approval in August 2024, work on the Orange Line has not even reached the tender stage. The delay has left many wondering why exactly a project that has already been given the green signal is being stopped.

The corridor Bengaluru has been waiting for

The Orange Line is one of the most ambitious stretches of the Phase 3 expansion of the Namma Metro. Spread over approximately 44.65 km, it is planned as two major corridors designed to serve areas that are currently heavily dependent on buses, private vehicles and long, tiring journeys.

One stretch will run from JP Nagar Phase IV to Kempapura for about 32.15 km. The second corridor, about 12.5 km long, will connect Hosahalli to Kadbagere. Together, these routes are expected to connect residential areas, industrial belts and emerging IT hubs that are still waiting for fast, reliable public transport.

For many daily commuters in these parts of the city, the Orange Line is not just another metro route. It’s the difference between spending two hours on the road and getting home on time.

The big decision that changed everything

So why did the work not start even after approval? The main reason for this is a major policy decision taken by the state government. Instead of building a standard elevated metro corridor, the government decided to develop the entire Orange Line as a double-decker corridor, combining a road flyover and the metro line into a single structure.

On paper, this idea sounds smart. Better utilization of limited road space. Less land acquisition. A structure serves two purposes. But in reality, this decision has set off a chain reaction of changes.

The double-decker model meant that the original project design had to be completely reworked. Structural plans, safety measures, alignment details and cost estimates all require revision. What was once a straightforward metro project suddenly became a complex engineering exercise.

Question of Rs 9000 crore

The biggest impact of this redesign has been on cost.

Officials say the change to the double-decker model could increase the total project cost by about Rs 9,000 crore. This is not a small adjustment. This means fresh financial approvals, revised budget calculations and new coordination between departments.

Until these changes are finalised, BMRCL cannot issue tenders for civil works. And no construction can be done without tender. This is the main reason why despite getting central approval, the project is stuck at the planning stage.

In simple words, the project has received approval to proceed, but has not yet been given the final touches that are needed to actually get started.

waiting game for passengers

For people living in West and South Bengaluru, the delay is not just limited to paperwork. It’s about everyday life.

These are areas where traffic congestion has become worse in recent years. There is crowd in buses. Travel times are unpredictable. Many residents were counting on the Orange Line to finally provide a faster, stress-free way to get across the city.

Instead, they now have uncertainty. There is still no clear timeline as to when tenders will be issued or when construction will begin. Each passing month increases the frustration, especially when project costs keep rising while profits remain out of reach.

approval without action

The gap between announcement and implementation is further confusing the situation for the public. The central government approved this project in August 2024. The foundation stone of Phase 3 was laid with much fanfare. Yet, there is nothing to show at the ground level.

This gap has raised questions about planning and coordination. Was the double-decker idea considered before seeking approval, or did it come later. Could the redesign have been done in parallel to avoid wasting precious time? And most importantly, how long will passengers have to wait before the real work starts.

What next?

Currently, the Orange Line is in the phase of redesign and cost recalculation. Once the new double-decker plan is finalized and financial approval is received, BMRCL is expected to move ahead with the tender process.

Till then this project will remain in limbo. Approved, announced and eagerly awaited, but not yet built. For Bengaluru commuters, especially those in the western and southern parts of the city, the Orange Line is still more of a promise than reality.

And every delay makes only one thing clear. In a city desperate for better public transportation, time lost on paper feels like time stolen from daily life.