RDSO to begin inspection of Pink Line elevated stretch soon

The Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) is set to commence a series of crucial inspections on the elevated stretch of Bengaluru’s Namma Metro Pink Line, as the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) prepares to open the corridor by May 2026.

According to officials, the inspection process is likely to begin by the end of March and continue until the first week of April. The RDSO team will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the 7.5-km elevated section between Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere. The trials will include train speed and load tests, track and alignment assessments, station infrastructure checks, and verification of power supply systems.

A senior BMRCL official said that the inspection marks a critical milestone in the commissioning process. “The RDSO inspection is a mandatory safety and performance validation step before opening any metro corridor for public operations. We are confident that the elevated stretch is well-prepared, as all civil works have been completed and system integration tests are progressing as planned. The trials will help ensure that the corridor meets the highest safety and operational standards,” the official said.

Rolling stock

After multiple deadline extensions, the Pink Line is now entering its final phase of readiness. As part of the rolling stock supply, BEML has been contracted to deliver 318 standard-gauge metro cars for the Pink and Blue Lines. These trainsets are being designed, engineered, and manufactured at BEML’s Bengaluru facility under a ₹3,000-crore agreement, which also includes maintenance support for up to 15 years.

The trains are equipped with communication-based train control (CBTC) technology, enabling fully driverless operations once the system becomes fully functional.

While the majority of the 21.3-km Pink Line runs underground, only the elevated stretch is expected to be opened in the first phase. The remaining 13-km underground section between Dairy Circle and Nagawara is now targeted for completion by the end of 2026.

Name boards installed

Meanwhile, BMRCL has begun preparatory works along the elevated corridor. Name boards have been installed at stations, and a beautification drive has been launched along Bannerghatta Road. Authorities are clearing garbage accumulated beneath metro pillars and viaducts, installing barricades to prevent further dumping, and planting saplings to enhance the corridor’s aesthetics.

The Pink Line, a key stretch of Phase 2 of Namma Metro, will eventually connect Kalena Agrahara in the south to Nagawara in the north, creating a vital north–south metro corridor in Bengaluru.