Bengaluru Purple and Green Line Overcrowding: Three New Trains to Arrive by May–June to Ease Peak Hours

Metro passengers travelling on the Purple and Green Lines of the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited are facing heavy overcrowding during peak hours. Many commuters say trains are so packed that they have to wait for several services before finding space to board. Although some relief is expected, it may

only come by May or June when three new trains are likely to be added.

Total Number of Trains to be Delivered

After several months of delay, Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL), the Indian partner of CRRC Nanjing Puzhen, dispatched its first DTG (Distance-to-Go) train on February 18. The train is expected to reach the Peenya depot by the end of February. Back in 2019, CRRC had won a Rs 1,578-crore contract to supply 36 trains,15 for the Yellow Line and 21 for the Purple and Green Lines. Two prototype trains were delivered from China earlier, while the remaining 34 are being manufactured in India by TRSL. So far, only eight Yellow Line trains have been supplied.

Purple & Green Line Bangalore Metro

The newly dispatched train is the first of 20 DTG trains meant for the Purple and Green Lines. Once it reaches Peenya, its six coaches will be joined together and tested. This will include electrical checks and about 7,500 km of night trial runs. Unlike the Yellow Line, which uses CBTC signalling that supports driverless operations, the Purple and Green Lines run on the DTG system and require train operators. Even though a Purple Line prototype arrived in January 2025, it is still waiting for final safety approvals. Most tests are complete, except the anti-collision test.

Officials hope that adding three new trains by mid-year will slightly reduce crowding. Currently, daily ridership has crossed one million, making peak-hour travel extremely stressful for passengers.