Bengaluru Yellow Line Metro Faces Operational Challenges: Delays, Limited Trains, and Commuter Frustration

BMRCL confirmed the delay caused by the commuter blockade, noting it has filed a police complaint.

Bengaluru:

Bengaluru's Yellow Line Metro, which launched with significant anticipation just months ago, is facing criticism from dissatisfied commuters due to delayed starts, extended waiting periods, and insufficient train sets that continue to disrupt daily commutes.

While the Purple and Green Lines begin operations at 5 am, the Yellow Line, which serves the crucial IT corridor connecting RV Road, Central Silk Board, HSR Layout, Electronic City, and Bommasandra, only starts at 6 am. This later start time, combined with infrequent service, has become a persistent challenge for early morning travelers.

Passengers who utilize the Green Line and begin their journeys at 5 am often experience lengthy waits for the Yellow Line to commence operations.

This frustration culminated on Monday when several passengers prevented the first Yellow Line train from departing at RV Road Metro Station by blocking the doors. The train, scheduled for a 6 am departure, finally left at 6:35 am, creating a ripple effect of delays throughout the line.

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) had to implement a short-loop service with one train at Central Silk Board, further disrupting travel for passengers heading to Bommasandra.

The core issue relates to the Yellow Line operating at suboptimal capacity due to trainset shortages, a problem commuters believe should have been addressed prior to inauguration. The complexity is compounded by the Yellow Line's designation as India's first driverless metro corridor. Achieving this requires platform screen doors at all stations and multiple technical integration phases, potentially taking several months or years to complete.

This forward-thinking vision has resulted in slower train delivery schedules.

The inaugural Yellow Line train was produced in China, while subsequent trainsets are being manufactured by Titagarh Rail Systems in Kolkata.

Manufacturing delays, dispatch issues, and delivery setbacks have exacerbated commuter difficulties.

However, improvements may be forthcoming: Train Set 6 has now been dispatched from Titagarh, another trainset is expected to depart by December 10, and a third will be sent by late December.

These additional trains are anticipated to reduce waiting times, improving frequency beyond the current 15-minute peak-time interval.

BMRCL acknowledged the delay caused by the passenger blockade and confirmed filing a police complaint. The authority cautioned that such actions are punishable under the Metro Railway Act, while also emphasizing that all available trains are currently in service with no reserve units.

"Namma Metro remains committed to providing safe, reliable, and efficient services. We request commuters to cooperate to help maintain smooth operations," the statement noted.

For many regular users, however, tolerance is diminishing. While the Yellow Line is operational, Bengaluru's highly anticipated tech corridor metro service remains significantly short of meeting the city's transportation needs in its present state.