Bengaluru’s long-awaited Metro rail connectivity to Kempegowda International Airport is expected to be operational by the end of 2027, Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has confirmed.
The
city’s Metro network will expand to 175 kilometres once the project is completed. This move makes for the largest single addition in the history of Bengaluru’s mass rapid transit system.
The update was shared during a forum titled ‘Sustainability in Action: Bengaluru’s Urban Challenge’, jointly organised by the Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC) and Delhi-based think tank The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
From Central Silk Board Junction To Kempegowda International Airport:
Addressing the gathering, Abhai Kumar Rai, Adviser (Civil) at BMRCL, outlined the progress and long-term vision for Bengaluru’s Metro expansion:
- The Airport Metro corridor, spanning 58.19 km from Central Silk Board Junction to Kempegowda International Airport, is being developed in two phases.
- Phase 2A covers a stretch of 19.75 km, while Phase 2B accounts for the remaining 38.44 km.
According to BMRCL, the completion of these two phases will significantly ease airport-bound travel and strengthen connectivity between key commercial and residential hubs of the city.
Beyond the Airport Metro, Rai detailed BMRCL’s broader expansion roadmap. Phase-3 of the Metro project, covering 44 km, is currently under construction. Meanwhile, Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for Phase-3A, which proposes an additional 36 km of new lines, have been prepared and are awaiting approval.
Looking further ahead, BMRCL is conducting feasibility studies for more than 200 km of future corridors to meet Bengaluru’s growing mobility demands over the coming decades. Sustainability remains a key focus area for the Metro’s expansion. The adviser highlighted the adoption of advanced efficiency technologies, including regenerative braking systems.
These systems allow trains to recover and reuse energy generated during braking, resulting in energy savings of over 30 per cent in Metro operations. Such initiatives, he noted, are crucial in reducing operational costs while minimising the environmental footprint of large-scale urban transport projects.
The panel discussion featured experts from the water, climate, mobility, and infrastructure sectors, who examined Bengaluru’s pressing urban challenges. Issues such as fragmented transport systems, increasing water insecurity, and the disconnect between regulatory policies and effective implementation were discussed at length.
Speakers stressed that coordinated planning and sustainable execution are essential for a rapidly expanding metropolis like Bengaluru.
Rajesh Kumar Jha, Chairman of BCIC’s Sustainability Expert Committee, emphasised that development must go hand in hand with environmental responsibility. He observed that when growth is guided by sustainability principles, it can enhance Bengaluru’s identity as a progressive and liveable global city.
A key outcome of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between BCIC and the GRIHA Council, a non-profit organisation established by TERI. The partnership aims to promote sustainable infrastructure development and green building practices across Bengaluru’s industrial and corporate sectors.
The event also witnessed the launch of Springer’s book ‘Best Practices in Sustainable Built Environments, Case Studies from India and Australia’, which showcases applied research and real-world frameworks for sustainable urban transformation.
These developments highlight Bengaluru’s renewed focus on building resilient, efficient, and future-ready urban infrastructure.
