Biocon Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Biocon Group, today announced the findings of a landmark study conducted by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Sustainable Transportation Lab on the potential impact of the Namma Metro Yellow Line corridor connecting RV Road and Bommasandra on public health, wellbeing, and urban liveability.
The study demonstrated strong potential to improve the public health and overall quality of life of Bengaluru residents, while also signalling a scalable model that could deliver similar benefits across other Namma Metro lines.
The study, titled Assessing the Impact of Yellow Line Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) System on Public Health and Quality of Life: A Sustainable Urban Mobility Perspective, was supported and funded by Biocon Foundation, with follow-on support from the Electronics City Industries Association (ELCIA), and enabled by the Bengaluru Science and Technology Cluster (BeST Cluster) anchored at IISc. This collaboration underscores the growing role of cross-sector alignment in advancing evidence-based, sustainable urban mobility solutions.
The study represents the first rigorous, longitudinal evaluation of its kind for any Metro rail corridor in India. Its findings position urban transit not just as an infrastructure investment, but as a high-impact lever for advancing health outcomes, liveability, and sustainable urban growth.
Dr. Anupama Shetty, Mission Director, Biocon Foundation, said, “At Biocon Foundation, we have consistently believed that access to sustainable public transport is fundamental to building healthier, more equitable cities. This study reinforces the broader value of investing in mass transit systems, not merely as mobility solutions, but as powerful enablers of public health, environmental sustainability, and improved quality of life. The findings also highlight the need for an inclusive mobility ecosystem through stronger last-mile connectivity and safer pedestrian infrastructure. Public transport must remain at the centre of Bengaluru’s long-term urban development agenda.”
Prof. Ashish Verma, Principal Investigator, IISc Sustainable Transportation Lab, said, “This study on the Yellow Line Metro Rail Corridor has the potential to serve as a benchmark for understanding how shared, electric, and active mobility modes contribute not only to sustainable transportation but also to broader development goals such as liveability, public health, wellbeing, and environmental sustainability. The findings demonstrate the importance of viewing public transport investments as critical interventions for improving air quality, health outcomes, and overall quality of life.”
Shri Anantharaman, Chief Executive Officer, Foundation for Bengaluru Science and Technology Cluster (BeST Cluster), said, “The BeST Cluster was established to bring science and evidence-based research to address Bengaluru’s most pressing urban challenges. This study exemplifies that mission by integrating transportation engineering with public health research to generate actionable insights for policymakers. We hope these findings will guide Metro authorities, urban planners, and public agencies in building a healthier and more sustainable Bengaluru.”
The study was led by Prof. Ashish Verma, Professor of Transportation Systems Engineering at IISc and Convenor of the IISc Sustainable Transportation Lab. Using a robust longitudinal research design, the team surveyed 600 commuters and residents along the Yellow Line corridor through baseline assessments conducted in September 2025, followed by a post-implementation survey conducted in March 2026, six months after the commencement of metro operations.
The findings also indicate strong public willingness to adopt Metro-based transportation, with 83% of respondents expressing readiness to shift to the Yellow Line. The study further demonstrates that Metro usage can contribute to increased physical activity through additional walking, reduced exposure to air pollution and heat, improved mental wellbeing, stronger social connectivity, enhanced workplace productivity, and lower road accident risk through reduced dependence on two-wheelers.
The study recommends a series of policy interventions to strengthen Metro adoption and maximise public health outcomes. These include strengthening last-mile connectivity through feeder services and shared mobility options, as well as upgrading pedestrian infrastructure for safer station access. It also recommends integrating public health considerations into transport planning and promoting Metro systems as a sustainable mode of transport that reduces pollution exposure while enhancing mental and social wellbeing.
The research was conducted by the IISc Sustainable Transportation Lab, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. The research team comprised Prof. Ashish Verma, Dr. Priyanka Das, and Ms. Ann Das, with advisory support from Prof. Prabhdeep Kaur of the Isaac Centre for Public Health, IISc, and Prof. Aruna Sivakumar of Imperial College London.
About Biocon Foundation:
Biocon Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of Biocon Limited and Syngene International Limited, has been advancing social and economic inclusion since 2005. Its programs focus on healthcare, education, environmental sustainability, and civic infrastructure, with strong partnerships across government and civil society.
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