Bengaluru: Blue Line Depot Girder Work Begins at Benniganahalli After SWR Nod

Quick Summary:

• Bangalore Metro rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has resumed erecting composite girders for the Blue Line depot entry at Benniganahalli, following a delay of nearly 1.5 months.
• The work commenced after receiving mandatory approvals from South Western Railway (SWR), under provisions like the Indian Railway Schedule of Dimensions and AC Traction Manual.
• The project faced delays due to SWR’s pending approvals for night track block, power block, and speed restriction needed for girder launching over the Salem railway line.
• Earlier in February, BMRCL successfully launched four composite steel girders across the Salem Bridge between ISRO and Doddanekundi metro stations-a critical milestone in Phase 2A’s progress despite its complex engineering challenges.
• the ORR-Airport Metro Blue Line is planned to span 58.19 km from Central Silk Board Junction to Kempegowda International Airport and is expected to be completed by December 2027.
• It is divided into two sections: Phase 2A (19.75 km from Silk board to K.R Puram) and Phase 2B (38.44 km from K.R Puram to the airport).

Indian Opinion Analysis:
The resumption of work on Bengaluru’s ambitious ORR-Airport Metro project marks a significant step forward in addressing mobility issues in one of India’s largest metropolitan areas prone to traffic congestion. While delays stemming from procedural hurdles are not uncommon in large-scale infrastructure projects, they underscore the importance of inter-agency coordination-especially when projects involve active railway zones like South Western Railway’s jurisdiction.

The project’s completion timeline is set for December 2027; its success could greatly impact urban planning by establishing an uninterrupted metro link between central parts of Bengaluru and the airport via Outer ring Road-a core transit route with heavy reliance on road transport today.

With careful supervision during phases involving rail alignment crossings, Bengaluru might establish new benchmarks in construction safety and efficiency while advancing public transportation goals crucial for mitigating future traffic burdens as urban populations grow.

Read more: Published – September 13, 2025