Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project Delayed to 2030; PM Modi Demands Accountability

• Bengaluru's suburban rail project, initially due by October 2026, is now pushed to March 2030, a delay of over three years.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed strong displeasure over the 41-month delay during a PRAGATI meeting, demanding accountability and a CAG inquiry into losses.
• K-RIDE, the implementing agency, provided revised timelines: Mallige Line by December 2028, Kanaka Line by June 2029, and Sampige & Parijata Lines by March 2030.
• The Sampige Line's revised alignment was approved by South Western Railway just before the PRAGATI meeting, after a two-year pending period.
• Land acquisition remains a challenge for some corridors, though the Kanaka Line's land acquisition is complete and Mallige Line's is expected by January end.

Why It Matters: Bengaluru's suburban rail project faces significant delays, prompting PM Modi to demand accountability and faster execution.