Bangalore Metro Pink Line’s Trial Runs Begin from Kothanur Depot

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) on Friday officially started trial runs (train testing) on Bangalore Metro’s 21.386 km Pink Line which will connect Kalena Agaraha – Nagawara via 18 stations.

BMRCL operated one of their 6-coach BEML train-sets out of Kothnur Depot in south Bengaluru to Kalena Agrahara Station (formerly Gottigere Station) and then north to Tavarekere Station (formerly Swagath Road Cross Station), covering distance of roughly 820m on the depot-line and 7.5 km one-way on the main-line.

This exciting development for 73.92 km Bangalore Metro Phase 2 project comes roughly one month after BEML rolled out their first of 23 train-sets of rolling stock package 5RS-DM from their local Bengaluru facility in CV Raman Nagar.

This section’s viaduct and 5 (of 6) stations were built by GR Infraprojects (GRIL) as part of Reach 6’s elevated section, with the final precast segment for its viaduct getting launched in June 2024. Its original contract was awarded to Simplex Infrastructures in September 2017 with a 27 month deadline, but was terminated and re-awarded in August 2021.

The 1st test run was conducted at a low speed of 5 kmph with a primary goal to check for Schedule of Dimensions (SOD) clearances and observe the train’s interaction with the civil structure to ensure there are no physical obstructions along the way.

A cool video of the train on the main-line shot from a high-rise can be viewed here on X. Another video of the train passing through one of the stations can be viewed here.

BEML has so far supplied BMRCL with 1 out of 60 trains awarded for Phase 2’s Pink Line, and for Phase 2A & Phase 2B‘s Blue Line. Its original contract for 53 trains (318 coaches) was awarded in August 2023. A follow-up order for 7 additional trains (42 coaches) was awarded in March 2025.

The section under testing has six stations located at Kalena Agrahara (formerly Gottigere), Hulimavu, IIM-B, JP Nagar 4th Phase, Jayadeva Interchange and Tavarekere.

In the coming weeks various systems like Alstom’s signaling & train control system and telecommunication will be tested. The train’s response to being operated at different speeds & braking will be monitored along with the behavior of the track system.

BMRCL plans to operationalize the Kalena Agrahara – Tavarekere section by May 2026, but that really depends on how quickly BEML is able to supply trains, system-testing and pending station finishing work is completed. One thing is for certain is that BMRCL won’t shy away from running low frequency operations with excruciating high headways of 20 minutes as witnessed in the Yellow Line’s roll-out last year.

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– TMRG