Bengaluru (Metro Rail & Steel) : Bengaluru, India’s tech hub, experiences a significant upgrade in its transportation infrastructure. On 20th October 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated two crucial stretches of Namma Metro’s Purple Line to the nation. These metro sections, Baiyappanahalli to Krishnarajapuram and Kengeri to Challaghatta, have been serving the public since 9th October 2023 and are now officially a part of Bengaluru’s expanding metro network.
The addition of these two sections expands the operational network of the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) from 69.66 kilometers to 73.81 kilometers, with a total of 66 metro stations.
Starting October 20th, metro rail services on both sections will commence at 05:00 hrs, ensuring an early start for the city’s commuters. The last train will depart from Whitefield (Kadugodi) at 22:45 hrs and from other terminal stations at 23:05 hrs, making it easier for passengers to plan their journeys and connect seamlessly. The BMRCL received the approval of the Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) for the two new Purple Line extensions last month.
On weekdays, the Namma Metro recorded an impressive count of approximately 6.50 lakh passengers traveling between K R Puram to Baiyappanahalli and Kengeri to Challaghatta. With the opening of these two extensions, it is anticipated that this number may rise to around 7.50 lakh passengers daily. This growth reflects the city’s increasing reliance on the metro system for daily transportation needs. The extension from Baiyappanahalli to KR Puram is of particular importance, as it offers uninterrupted access to Whitefield, a major IT-BT hub that has become a vital part of the city’s economic landscape.
The journey of Namma Metro, which was conceptualized nearly two decades ago, has faced numerous challenges. The project, South India’s first metro rail, faced several delays and missed deadlines. These setbacks inconvenienced the public for many years, particularly given the city’s existing congestion issues that were exacerbated by ongoing metro construction.
Officials from the BMRCL have attributed these delays to challenges related to land acquisitions and public interest litigations (PILs). Difficulties in acquiring land from private individuals, the Forest Department, and other authorities led to delays in the metro’s construction.
