Overview
- The Railway Board granted in‑principle approval for the Communications‑Based Train Control system on Saturday, Aug 8, 2026, covering the full 21.25 km Pink Line (Reach‑6) and Blue Line Phases 2A and 2B up to Kempegowda International Airport.
- BMRCL said it will now move to interim speed certification from RDSO, statutory rolling‑stock inspection by the CCRS, trial runs and a final CMRS safety inspection before passenger services can begin.
- Officials are targeting the first 7.5 km elevated Pink stretch between Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere for August 2026, with Blue Line milestones set for trial runs in October 2026 and phased commissioning through mid‑ to late‑2027.
- CBTC is a modern, automated signalling and train‑control system whose formal acceptance is a regulatorily required step before the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety can inspect and clear corridors for operation.
- If the remaining certifications and trials proceed on schedule, commuters should see faster east–west metro links and a direct airport connection that could cut road congestion, but opening dates remain conditional on the pending safety clearances.