Bengaluru: The 7.5-km Kalenga Agrahara-Tavarekere stretch of Bengaluru Metro’s Pink Line on Bannerghatta Road is expected to open for commuters this month, with the state government awaiting a communication on the inauguration date from the Union government.Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda travelled on the stretch during a trial run on Wednesday, accompanied by Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya, Bengaluru South MLA M Krishnappa, Metro MD PC Jaffer and senior officials.The stretch is part of the 21.25-km Pink Line connecting Kalena Agrahara (Gottigere) in south Bengaluru with Nagawara on the Outer Ring Road.“As soon as the date is given by the Government of India, this stretch will be inaugurated and opened for commuters. We are hopeful of getting a date for the inauguration within September,” Gowda said.The announcement drew a positive response on social media, with some users urging the government to start commercial operations without waiting for a formal inauguration.Surya said he had spoken to the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) about safety clearances and timelines. “Rolling stock approval is expected within the next 15 days, followed by clearance for the entire line. I will work closely with officials and the Central Government to ensure these approvals are secured at the earliest,” he said in a post on X.He said Bengaluru needed more public transport projects such as the Pink Line to ease traffic congestion, rather than “stupid ideas like the Tunnel Road”.Several users responding to Gowda’s post also urged him to inspect Bannerghatta Road, citing poor pedestrian infrastructure and the lack of usable footpaths in several stretches. They said pedestrians were often forced to walk on the main carriageway, increasing safety risks.