Modi flags off Yellow Line of Bengaluru’s Namma Metro; 3 more Vande Bharat Express trains flagged off

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi has flagged off Bengaluru's much-delayed Yellow Line of Namma Metro, which will connect RV Road (Ragigudda) to Bommasandra.

The 19-km route, with 16 stations, is expected to ease traffic congestion through key hubs such as Silk Board Junction and Electronic City — a base for many tech and biotech firms.

The Prime Minister's visit to the southern state comes just days after Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, led a "Vote Adhikar Rally" against the alleged "vote theft." The Congress has alleged electoral fraud during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka, based on its study of the Mahadevapura assembly segment.

Metro Fare Structure

One-way fares will range from ₹10 to ₹90, matching the current Namma Metro prices.

For example, a trip from RV Road to Jayadeva will cost ₹10, while the longest journey—from Whitefield on the Purple Line to Bommasandra on the Yellow Line—will be ₹90.

Metro Timings and Operations

Commercial services will begin on Monday, 11 August.

To start with, three driverless trains will run every 25 minutes between 5:00 am and 11:00 pm. The frequency is expected to improve to every 20 minutes as more trains are added later this month.

List of Yellow Line Stations

RV Road (interchange with Green Line)

Ragigudda

Jayadeva Hospital (future interchange with Pink Line, possibly the tallest station)

BTM Layout

Central Silk Board

HSR Layout

Oxford College

Hongasandra

Kudlu Gate

Singasandra

Hosa Road

Electronic City-I

Konappana Agrahara

Huskur Road

Hebbagodi

Bommasandra

Key Facts About Bengaluru’s Yellow Line Metro

Project cost – The line has been built at an estimated cost of ₹5,056.99 crore.

Expected ridership – According to a PTI report, it is expected to carry nearly 8 lakh passengers each day.

Traffic relief – The notoriously congested Silk Board Junction is set to experience a noticeable drop in traffic.

Service start – Regular operations will begin on August 11, with three trains running every 25 minutes between RV Road and Bommasandra at the outset.

Linked expansion – The launch will also mark the laying of the foundation stone for Namma Metro’s Phase 3, a 44.65 km extension costing ₹15,611 crore.

Phase 3 benefits – Once finished, Phase 3 is expected to help around 25 lakh people in south Bengaluru, boosting last-mile connectivity and easing travel in the city.

3 more Vande Bharat Express trains

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off three Vande Bharat Express trains at KSR Railway Station in Bengaluru on Sunday, August 10. These include trains from Bengaluru to Belagavi, Amritsar to Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Nagpur (Ajni) to Pune.

While the much-awaited Bengaluru–Belagavi Vande Bharat Express was flagged off by Modi in person; the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra–Amritsar, and Ajni (Nagpur)–Pune Vande Bharat services, were launched virtually, news agency PTI reported.

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, were among others present at the event.

Know all about the three Vande Bharat trains

Bengaluru–Belagavi Vande Bharat Express

It will be the 11th Vande Bharat service to operate in Karnataka, will run as train number 26751/26752.

“This train connects Bengaluru, India’s Silicon City, with Belagavi, a hub of premier medical and engineering institutions, fostering economic and educational opportunities,” officials told PTI.

According to officials, the Bengaluru–Belagavi Vande Bharat Express is the fastest train between these two cities, covering 611 km in just 8.5 hours. It will save approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes from KSR Bengaluru to Belagavi and 1 hour 40 minutes from Belagavi – KSR Bengaluru compared to existing services.

Route: The Route traverses Karnataka’s rich sugarcane belt, passing through key cities such as Dharwad, renowned for its prestigious educational institutions; Hubballi, a thriving commercial and industrial center; Haveri, an emerging agricultural hub; Davangere, popular for textiles and agriculture; and Tumakuru, a growing industrial and educational center.

Timing: After the inauguration, the special inaugural train (Train No. 06575) will run from KSR Bengaluru to Belagavi, departing at 11:15 AM and reaching Belagavi at 8:00 PM the same day.

Stoppages: Yesvantpur, Tumakuru, Davangere, SMM Haveri, SSS Hubballi, and Dharwad.

Ticket fare: The Bengaluru to Belagavi Vande Bharat Express train has two types of seating arrangements – AC Chair Car and Executive Chair Car. The fare for travelling between Bengaluru to Belagavi on AC Chair Car is ₹1,575 and for Executive AC Chair Car is ₹2,905, the Indian Express reported.

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra–Amritsar

According to Jammu Rail Division, Vande Bharat train No. 26406 (Katra-Amritsar) will run from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Amritsar while train No. 26405 will run from Amritsar to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra six days a week except Tuesday.

Stoppages: The Amritsar-Katra Vande Bharat train will stop at four stations en route. These are: Beas, Jalandhan City, Pathankot Cantt, and Jammu Tawi.

Timings: Train number 26406 Katra-Amritsar Vande Bharat train will leave Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK) at 06:40 hrs to reach Amritsar at 12:20 hrs, Indian Express reported. On its return journey, the train will depart from Amritsar at 16:25 hrs to arrive in Katra at 22:00 hrs.

Ticket price: The Amritsar-Katra Vande Bharat Express train will have two types of seating arrangements – AC Chair Car and Executive Chair Car. The fare for travelling between Amritsar to Katra on an AC Chair Car is ₹1170 and for Executive AC Chair Car is ₹2085,the Indian Express report added.

Nagpur (Ajni) to Pune Vande Bharat Train

Distance, Travel Time: The Ajni-Pune Vande Bharat Express train will cover a distance of 881 km in 12 hours. It will be the fastest train on the route, followed by Pune Humsafar and Azad Hind Express.

Train Number: The Ajni (Nagpur)-Pune Vande Bharat Express will run as train number 26101/26102. The train will operate six days a week except Tuesday (from Pune) and Monday (from Ajni).

Stoppages: This Vande Bharat train will stop at 10 stations. These are: Wardha, Badnera, Akola, Shegaon, Bhusaval, Jalgaon, Manmad, Kopargaon, Ahmednagar and Daund Chord Line.

Timings: Train number 26101 Pune-Ajni Vande Bharat Express will depart from Pune station at 06:25 hrs with effect from 11.08.2025 and arrive Ajni at 18:25 hrs same day.

Train number 26102 Ajni-Pune Vande Bharat Express will depart from Ajni station at 09:50 hrs with effect from 12.08.2025 and arrive Pune at 21:50 hrs same day.

The flagging of these new Vande Bharat trains underlines the central government's efforts to rejuvenate Indian railways to provide a world-class travel experience to the people.