Namma Metro brings together the spirits of Bangaloreans
Curious visitors ranging from school kids to senior citizens made a bee line outside the ticket counter as early as 1 pm. The ticket counter however, opened at 3:15 pm for a first ride on metro scheduled at 4 pm.
On its arrival at 3.55 pm, the crowds went frenzy with many cheering, dancing and whistling at the sight of the metro. The police dispersed across the station sure had a tough time in controlling the frenzy of madness around.
For Krishnappa an excise officer this was his first ride in the Metro. Gleaming with happiness he said that he “Liked the metro".
While many rushed to get a seat, others preferred to stand and enjoy their ride. For Venkateshan, a transport contractor from Chennai, the metro ride was something he did not want to miss.
“Though the train needs some more improvement, I liked it," said a cheerful Venkateshan.
Gauri who turned ten on Oct 20 had no better way to celebrating her birthday. She chose to celebrate her special day by travelling in the metro.
“It was on her insistence that we celebrated her birthday in metro," said Gopakumar, her father, a businessman by profession.
The train reached Byappanahalli station in about 15 minutes. Compared to the station at MG Road which looked a bit congested, Byappanahalli station looked bigger and more spacious. The excitement was no less here too. Though few in numbers as compared to the ones at MG Road, people here too eagerly waited at the ticket counter to buy themselves tickets while others who came from MG Road rushed to the ticket counter to buy return tickets.
“It"s nice," said tenth grade student, Santosh who came for a ride after his school with his friends and studies at the Ramkrishna School, Ulsoor.
Here"s hoping that the spirit of Bangaloreans remain the same and the celebrations never end.