Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off Bengaluru Metro's Pink Line, which runs from Kalena Agrahara to Tavarekere, and rode the train together with Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

Shortly afterwards, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone and inaugurated a series of development projects worth over Rs 15,600 crore.S2

As part of the same programme, Modi was scheduled to inaugurate four redeveloped railway stations in Karnataka: Chamarajanagar, Chikkamagaluru, Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya Road. The stations were modernised under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme with improved passenger amenities, and are expected to act as city centres while promoting local businesses and tourism.S2

Modi was also due to dedicate a 45-km railway doubling section between Bagalkot and Wandal, part of the 284-km Gadag-Hotgi Doubling Project. The stretch is expected to enhance passenger and freight movement, boost local trade and ensure smoother coal transportation to the Kudgi NTPC plant. He was further set to dedicate the electrification of the 55-km Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya Road Ghat railway section, a project across one of India's most challenging railway terrains. With its completion, the entire Bengaluru-Mangaluru railway route has been fully electrified.S2