As early as in February 2012, the Central government had also requested BMRC to start work on the airport link during Phase 2 itself.

Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah announced in September 2016 that a new 18 km (11 mi) line connecting Central Silk Board with K.R.Puram along ORR would be included in Phase 2 as Phase-2A of the project at an estimated cost of ₹4202 crores.

[9][10] Kempegowda International Airport (opened during May 2008) being very far from city center (about 35 km), commuting time by road in traffic congestion is time-consuming.

Hence, attention for building a fast mass transit was in the minds of planners from the very beginning, especially since air traffic had kept increasing.

Following this, suggestions were invited from public during September 2016 to choose any one of nine possible extension routes from existing and proposed metro lines to the airport.

[14] The shortest (25.9 km, 16.1 mi) extension of the Kalena Agrahara (previously Gottigere) – Nagawara line via Kannur and Bagaluru to the airport emerged as the most popular choice.

An alternate route proceeding north till RK Hegde Nagar and then turning west to Jakkur and then along Airport Road was explored.

Puram) and be aligned along the northern part of ORR (Outer Ring road), passing Kasturinagar, Nagawara, Hebbal, and Jakkur before heading towards the airport.

[19] BMRCL prepared the detailed project report for the proposed Central Silk Board - KR Puram Line and submitted the DPR to the state government on 28 October 2016.

Tenders for the ORR (East) Metro line were called in February 2018 and IL&FS emerged the lowest bidder for all packages.

However, the tenders were quashed due to cash flow problems and bankruptcy proceedings by the selected firm, IL&FS.

The third package was for 15.011 km viaduct, including 718.18 mtrs cut and cover portion in front of Yelahanka Air Force Station.

[29][30] An MoU was signed between BMRC and KIAL for construction of the 4.95 km line and stations entailing an investment of ₹800 crore.

In January 2023, there was an accident when an reinforcement cage of the under-construction metro pier fell on a woman software engineer, Tejaswini Sulakhe and her son Vihan in HBR Layout,[31][32] which led to their eventual death.

[41] On June 10, 2024, Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd. (RVNL) disclosed in a BSE filing that its joint venture with Siemens has secured a contract worth approximately Rs.

This contract encompasses the 750V DC third rail electrification work under package EPC5-CC for the 57 km Blue Line of the Namma Metro.