Partial Pink Line opening may increase congestion at RV Road interchange, commuters fear
The proposed opening of the elevated section of Namma Metro’s Pink Line is expected to improve connectivity for residents of south Bengaluru. However, commuters have raised concerns that the partial opening could increase passenger congestion at the RV Road interchange station, p
With the 13.8-km underground stretch yet to be completed, commuters fear multiple interchanges could add to passenger pressure at existing metro stations
Updated - November 04, 2026 10:58 am IST - Bengaluru
Until the entire Pink Line becomes operational, commuters may have to use a combination of the Pink, Yellow, Green and Purple lines, depending on their destinations. | Photo Credit: File Photo
The proposed opening of the elevated section of Namma Metro’s Pink Line is expected to improve connectivity for residents of south Bengaluru. However, commuters have raised concerns that the partial opening could increase passenger congestion at the RV Road interchange station, potentially creating a situation similar to the crowding currently being witnessed at Majestic metro station.
With the 13.8-km underground section of the Pink Line still under construction, passengers travelling from south Bengaluru towards the central and eastern parts of the city may have to make multiple interchanges. This could add to the pressure on existing interchange stations, particularly RV Road, where commuters would have to switch between metro corridors to reach their destinations.
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Pink, Yellow, Green and Purple lines
The concern is particularly significant for passengers travelling towards Whitefield, M.G. Road and other parts of the city. Until the entire Pink Line becomes operational, commuters may have to use a combination of the Pink, Yellow, Green and Purple lines, depending on their destinations.
“RV Road Metro Station is already short on platform space. It could become even more crowded than Majestic, and we may have to deal with this situation for several months, especially during peak hours,” said Sunitha K., a commuter from Bilekahalli.
She said she had been hoping for the entire Pink Line corridor to open, rather than just the elevated section, which was, according to her, of no use. “I was expecting the entire stretch to become operational. This partial opening is of little use to me. To reach M.G. Road, I will have to take the Pink Line up to Jayadeva Hospital, change to the Yellow Line and travel to RV Road, switch to the Green Line to reach Majestic and then change to the Purple Line. It would be easier to take an auto or a cab instead,” she said.
Advaith Raj, a resident of Hulimavu, said that the opening of the underground section would make a substantial difference to commuters travelling between south Bengaluru and the central business district. He said passengers travelling from Hulimavu towards Whitefield would have to make multiple changes under the partial-operation arrangement. They would have to switch from the Pink Line to the Yellow Line at Jayadeva Hospital, change to the Green Line at RV Road and then take the Purple Line from Majestic to reach Whitefield.
Once the entire Pink Line becomes operational, commuters from south Bengaluru would be able to travel directly towards central Bengaluru on the Pink Line before changing to the Purple Line on M.G. Road to reach Whitefield, reducing the number of interchanges.
Will it move commuters away?
Residents fear that the additional changes could make metro journeys less convenient and increase passenger movement through already busy stations. However, not everyone believes the partial opening will necessarily result in a significant shift of commuters towards the metro.
Manoj Kumar, a resident of BTM Layout, said, “The additional interchanges and longer travel time could discourage some passengers from using the service and prompt them to opt for buses, autos or cabs instead. Nevertheless, I feel the new stretch will attract commuters travelling towards Majestic and other destinations, making the effective management of interchange stations important.”
A Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) official said passenger movement and crowd levels at RV Road would be monitored after the elevated section becomes operational. “The corporation will assess passenger volumes, interchange movement and peak-hour congestion and take the necessary measures, including regulating passenger movement and deploying additional staff wherever required,” the official said.
