Namaskāra Property Nerds! 👋

This week: Pink Line's first driverless metro prototype arrived at Kothanur depot (May 2026 launch on track), Yeshwantpur gets a ₹380 Cr world-class railway upgrade, Bangalore plans 10.8 km elevated corridor (Old Madras Road to E-City via Silk Board), Marathahalli traffic changes from Dec 22, and BLR Airport's Terminal 2 unveiled a Garden Trail. Also, over 200 families in Yelahanka were left homeless after a demolition drive.

But first, this week's Bangalore reality check:

📊 TLDR (Too Long, Dodging Bulldozers)

• 🚇 Pink Line: First driverless metro prototype at Kothanur (May 2026 elevated launch)

• 🚂 Yeshwantpur: ₹380 Cr world-class railway upgrade nearing completion

• 🛣️ Elevated road: 10.8 km Old Madras Road → E-City via Silk Board planned

• 🚨 Yelahanka: 200-400 homes demolished, 3,000+ people displaced

• 🚦 Marathahalli: Traffic changes from Dec 22 (alternate routes mandatory)

• ✈️ BLR T2: New Garden Trail public gallery opened

• ✅ RERA: Puravankara Silver Sky approved!

• 📅 Feb launches: Puravankara Codename Bliss, Godrej Yelahanka

🚇 Pink Line: Driverless Metro Era Begins

The Milestone: On December 11, BEML rolled out the first prototype driverless metro train for Namma Metro's Pink Line.

Current Status:

• Transported from BEML Rail Complex to Kothanur Depot (nighttime movement)

• 5-month testing program starting now

• Trials for safety, signaling, automation

The Numbers:

• Total coaches: 318 for Pink Line + Blue Line to Airport

• Pink Line trainsets: 20 (6-coach each)

• Route: 21.25 km (13.76 km underground + 7.5 km elevated)

• Launch timeline: Elevated section May 2026, underground Dec 2026

What's Different:

• Fully automated: Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC)

• Grade of Automation 4 (GoA4): No driver required

• First in Bangalore: Current lines need drivers

Maintenance: BEML providing 15-year maintenance support.

Reality Check: May 2026 for elevated section. Bangalore has seen timeline slips. But the train is HERE, in Kothanur. That's progress.

🚂 Yeshwantpur: ₹380 Cr World-Class Makeover

The Upgrade:

• Investment: ₹380 crore

• Status: Eastern side almost complete, western side (metro integration) ongoing

• Completion target: 2025 (finishing touches remaining)

What's New:

• Centrally air-conditioned terminal

• Segregated arrival/departure lounges

• Roof plaza with children's play area

• Retail spaces (airport-style)

• Multi-level parking complex

• Elevated access road

Why It Matters: Yeshwantpur is North Bangalore's major railway hub. Post-upgrade, it becomes Bangalore's second state-of-the-art terminus (after City Railway Station). Real estate within 2 km radius = connectivity premium.

Fun Fact: Part of Amrit Bharat Stations Scheme. When railways commit ₹380 Cr, they're betting on long-term traffic growth.

🛣️ 10.8 km Elevated Road: Silk Board Relief Plan

The Proposal: B-SMILE has proposed a 10.8 km elevated corridor:

• Route: Old Madras Road → Indiranagar → Old Airport Road → Hosur Road → Silk Board Junction → Electronic City Flyover

• DPR: Prepared by Siddhi Shakti Projects

• Goal: Ease eastern & southern corridor congestion

Context: This is one of 5 major elevated corridors (80 km total) for which bids recently opened. Bangalore is going vertical—surface expansion impossible, so build above.

Real Estate Impact: Properties along this 10.8 km corridor = appreciation catalyst over next 3-5 years (once DPR approved, construction starts).

Reality Check: DPR stage = 2-3 years to construction. But once approved, land values adjust FAST.

🚨 Yelahanka Demolition: The Human Cost

What Happened: Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) demolished 200-400 houses in Kogilu Layout, Yelahanka on Saturday morning.

The Numbers:

• Families displaced: 200-400

• People affected: 3,000+

• Time of demolition: Early morning (4 AM bulldozers)

• Residency period: 10-15 years (per residents)

Government's Position:

• Land belongs to GBA (transferred from district admin in 2016)

• Private individuals illegally sold plots on government land

• Unauthorised construction

Residents' Claims:

• Had voter IDs, electricity connections, property tax receipts

• Living there for decades

• No advance notice or rehabilitation plan

Current Status: Families remain displaced, protests ongoing. No rehabilitation announced yet.

Our Take: Whether legal or illegal, displacing 3,000 people at 4 AM without rehabilitation is a governance failure. Property rights matter—but so does humane implementation..

🚦 Marathahalli: New Traffic Rules (Dec 22)

What Changed: Starting December 22, 2025 (trial basis):

1. Right turn banned: KLM Service Road → Marathahalli Bridge → Varthur/Whitefield (closed)

2. Tulsi Theatre Junction median: Completely closed

Alternate Route (KR Puram-bound): Doddenekundi Main Road → Karthik Nagar Junction → ORR

Why: Marathahalli Bridge Junction is a notorious bottleneck. Traffic police testing new flow patterns.

Impact: If you commute via Marathahalli, update your GPS routes. Add 10-15 min buffer during adjustment period.

✈️ BLR T2: Garden Trail Opens

The Addition: Kempegowda Airport's Terminal 2 opened a new Garden Trail public gallery (December 2025).

Features:

• Located in international post-customs area

• Lush greenery, natural materials, soft lighting

• Wide walkways, nature-led layouts

• Tranquil escape within busy terminal

Why It's Notable: T2 already won global recognition for eco-friendly design. Garden Trail strengthens Bangalore's "Garden City" identity at the airport.

Traveler Impact: If you're flying international from T2, you now have a serene waiting zone instead of just gate lounges.

✅ RERA Approval: Puravankara Silver Sky

Big News: Puravankara Silver Sky received RERA approval this week!

What We Know:

• Developer: Puravankara Limited

• Likely location: Bangalore (awaiting project page details)

• RERA status: Approved (ready for launch/sales)

Why It Matters: RERA approval = legal green light. Puravankara can now officially launch sales. Expect announcement soon.

📅 Launch Calendar

December 2025:

• Century Marathalli

• Century Seraya

• Godrej Woods

January 2026:

• Godrej Hoskote

• Sobha Scarlet

February 2026:

• Puravankara Codename Bliss

• Godrej Yelahanka (new entry!)

🏗️ RERA WATCH

Preparing (6-12 months)

• Sattva Hamlet

• Godrej Hoskote

• Godrej Yelahanka

Submitted (Processing)

• Prestige Evergreen (Raintree Phase 2)

• Birla Trimaya Phase 4

• Sobha Scarlet

• Puravankara Codename Flow

• Prestige City 2.0 Sarjapur

Newly Approved

Puravankara Silver Sky ✅ (This week!)

💡 OUR TAKE

Key Insights:

1. Pink Line driverless: May 2026 is real (train in Kothanur = tangible progress)

2. Yeshwantpur ₹380 Cr: North Bangalore connectivity getting institutional upgrade

3. 10.8 km elevated road: DPR stage, but signals Bangalore's vertical infrastructure shift

4. Yelahanka displacement: Reminder that "development" has human costs

Smart Money Moves:

Immediate: Puravankara Silver Sky (RERA approved, launch imminent) Short-term: Yeshwantpur 2 km radius (railway upgrade catalyst) Medium-term: Pink Line stations (May 2026 elevated, Dec 2026 underground) Long-term: Old Madras Rd-Silk Board corridor (10.8 km elevated proposal)

Risk Factors:

• Infrastructure timelines (May 2026 Pink Line = watch for slippage)

• Government land disputes (Yelahanka shows enforcement can be sudden)

• Traffic diversions (Marathahalli changes may cause short-term chaos)

• Elevated road projects (DPR to construction = 2-3 year lag minimum)

🚨 WEEK AHEAD WATCH

• Pink Line testing updates (5-month program starting)

• Yeshwantpur western side completion timeline

• Elevated corridor bid results (5 projects totaling 80 km)

• Yelahanka rehabilitation plan (if announced)

• Puravankara Silver Sky official launch details

🚇 BMTC Yellow Line Update

Good News: BMTC reshuffled and added bus stops along Yellow Line to bring them closer to metro stations, improving last-mile connectivity.

Why It Matters: Metro is only useful if you can reach the station. Better bus-metro integration = more people ditching cars.

That's all for this week, property nerds!

Stay strategically savvy, The Property Pulse Team

P.S. - If your government claims "world-class infrastructure" while displacing 3,000 people without rehabilitation, ask them which "world" they're referencing. Definitely not the developed one.

Want More? 📧 getpropertypulse.com | 🤖 proppulse.ai

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