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Residents and employees of Bangalore’s two tech hubs, Whitefield and Electronics City, who have been grappling with traffic woes, may soon get relief. After missing an earlier deadline, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is all set to start Namma Metro operations in these areas next year.
Under Phase II, the network was extended by 15 km from Baiyappanahalli to Whitefield with 13 stations. In October, BMRCL started a trial run between Whitefield and KR Puram.
BMRCL had earlier announced several deadlines for two important corridors: the extended Purple Line from Baiappanahalli to Whitefield and the new line from RV Road to Bommasandra connecting Electronics City.
Although the construction work started in 2017-18, the deadlines were missed due to various reasons, including those beyond the control of BMRCL. However, the recent trial run between Whitefield and KR Puram on the extended Purple Line has given commuters a glimmer of hope.
Extended purple line
BMRCL Managing Director Anjum Parvez said The Hindu The Purple Line extending from Baiyappanahalli to Whitefield will be opened in two phases. In the first phase, the KR Puram to Whitefield line will be operational by mid-March 2023.
The route from KR Puram to Baiyappanahalli will be made available in the next phase. Feeder service buses ply on this route.
“The trial run and related works on the stretch between KR Puram and Whitefield are going on as planned. Five sets of trains will be arranged there. By June or July 2023, the entire Baiappanahalli to Whitefield line will be operational.
There are 12 metro stations between KRpuram and Whitefield and one station between KRpuram and Baiyappanahalli.
Steel girder on railway line
The construction of a 65-metre open-web steel girder on the railway track at Benniganahalli remains a major obstacle to the opening of the line between Baiappanahalli and KR Puram. Mr. Parvez said that BMRCL is in talks with South Western Railway (SWR).
“We have already started the preliminary work. Line block is required so SWR informs us about possible time and work is carried out accordingly. He said that once the entire structure is ready, the deck slabs for the tracks will be laid.
Travelers are optimistic
Citizens are taking root. Pawan Kumar, who commutes daily between Ulsoor and ITPB, said, “Years ago, when the construction of the Metro started, everyone expected that the travel issues would finally be resolved, but it never happened. For years, motorists spent hours to reach their offices. After the pandemic, when our company asked us to go back to the office, I was worried about the traffic snarls in the tin factory area and beyond. I recently read in the news that BMRCL has started a trial run. I hope they stick to the deadline and open the line for public use.
Darshan Yadav, another commuter, said, “Normally, I go to work at 8 am and since I am diabetic, I feel like I am losing energy by the time I reach office. Traffic jams on Old Madras Road, then KR Puram Bridge and Whitefield Road test one’s endurance every day. Opening of metro line will make life easier for people.
Metro work underway near Jayadeva Hospital Junction, Bengaluru Photo Credit: BHAGYA PRAKASH K.
Metro to Electronics City
A key corridor is the 19 km new metro line under Phase II. This yellow line starts from the operational RV Road station and reaches Bommasandra via Jayadeva, Central Silk Board and Electronics City. In the DPR prepared in 2011, it has been stated that this line will benefit those living in areas like Jayanagar, BTM Layout, HSR Layout and those working in Electronics City and Bommasandra Industrial Area.
As per the revised deadline, BMRCL expects to open the line by mid-2023. However, there are many challenges. Construction of multi-level interchange metro station at Jayadev, construction of metro station with loops at Central Silk Board are some of the major works of BMRCL.
Jayadeva Interchange Metro Station is a complex project as two metro lines meet at this point: RV Road to Bommasandra, and Kalena Agrahara to Nagawara. BMRCL demolished the Jayadeva flyover to construct the new station.
Mr. Parvez said, “We are planning to open the entire RV Road up to Bommasandra (18 km) as a single lane. If we open in phases, connectivity will be an issue, which will benefit commuters and be financially feasible for BMRCL. The starting point of this new line is RV Road; This interchange station is connected from Majestic side and Silk Institute side.
The flyover between Raggudda-Central Silk Board will be operational after the metro starts, the official said.
Metro works near Silk Board Junction in Bangalore. | Photo Credit: BHAGYA PRAKASH K.
Lakhs should be profited
“In the Whitefield corridor, 2.5 lakh to 3 lakh people are expected to take the metro in the initial years and more than 2.5 lakh people will travel on the new line connecting Bommasandra. These two corridors will help the metro to cross over 10 lakh daily ridership,” the official said.
Lt Col Electronics City Industrial Township Authority (ELCITA) CEO Ravindra Singh said, “The opening of the Metro line is a game changer for Electronics City. This will help reduce traffic at the Central Silk Board. We are also looking forward to commercial activities of Namma Metro as ELCITA has many plans to provide various last mile connectivity for the benefit of people working here. Our primary objective is to make the transport system greener. We are working on Metro Neo, shuttle buses, e-scooters and bicycles to provide last mile connectivity. Around two lakh people work in Electronics City.
Bommasandra to Hosur
On the other hand, Tamil Nadu government has sanctioned funds for feasibility study on metro extension from Bommasandra to Hosur.
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