PM Inaugurates ₹22,800-Cr Metro Projects in Karnataka, Flags Off 3 Vande Bharat Trains

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the Yellow Line of the Bangalore Metro, worth around ₹7,160 crore, and laid the foundation stone of the Bangalore Metro Phase-3 project, worth over ₹15,610 crore, in Bengaluru, Karnataka. He also flagged off three Vande Bharat Express trains at KSR Railway Station, Bengaluru.

The Prime Minister noted that the commencement of Vande Bharat service between Bengaluru and Belagavi will boost trade and tourism in Belagavi. Additionally, Vande Bharat Express trains were launched between Nagpur and Pune, and between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Amritsar. He said these services will benefit lakhs of devotees and promote tourism. He congratulated the people of Bengaluru, Karnataka, and the entire nation for these projects and the new Vande Bharat trains.

Highlighting Bengaluru’s global recognition, the Prime Minister emphasized that India must not only compete globally but also lead. He remarked that progress will come only when our cities are smart, fast, and efficient, underscoring the government’s strong focus on completing modern infrastructure projects. Shri Modi announced the commencement of the Yellow Line of the Bangalore Metro from RV Road to Bommasandra, which will connect several key areas of Bengaluru. He noted that travel time between Basavanagudi and Electronic City will now be significantly reduced, enhancing the ease of living and working for lakhs of people.

Alongside the inauguration of the Yellow Line, the foundation stone for Bangalore Metro’s Phase Three — namely, the Orange Line — has also been laid. Once operational, the Orange Line, in conjunction with the Yellow Line, will facilitate daily travel for 25 lakh passengers, empowering Bengaluru’s transport system and elevating it to new heights. Shri Modi further remarked that the Bangalore Metro has introduced a new model for public infrastructure development in the country, highlighting contributions from companies like Infosys Foundation, Biocon, and Delta Electronics in part-funding several key metro stations. He praised this innovative use of CSR as a source of inspiration and extended congratulations to the corporate sector.

Reflecting on infrastructure growth, the Prime Minister recalled that in 2014, metro services were limited to just five cities. Today, metro networks span over 1,000 kilometers across 24 cities, making India the third-largest metro network globally. Shri Modi also pointed out that prior to 2014, only about 20,000 kilometers of railway routes had been electrified. In the last eleven years alone, more than 40,000 kilometers of railway routes have been electrified, marking a significant leap in sustainable transport development.

Emphasizing that India’s achievements are soaring not just on land but also in the skies, the Prime Minister highlighted that in 2014, India had only 74 airports, whereas today the number has increased to over 160. He also pointed out the remarkable progress in waterway infrastructure, stating that in 2014, only three national waterways were operational; this number has now risen to thirty.