Baiyappanahalli-Krishnarajapuram Metro Line To Be Operational In September

The eagerly awaited Baiyappanahalli-Krishnarajapuram metro segment on Bengaluru's vibrant purple line is now set to be operational in September, as announced by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The line was originally scheduled to be launched in August, but the delay was attributed to the need for additional testing and safety checks.

During the auspicious Independence Day celebrations at the esteemed Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw Parade Ground, the chief minister proudly said that Bengaluru's metro network stands as the nation's second-largest.

BENGALURU METRO: NETWORK EXPANSION

The 2-km stretch of the purple line will connect the Whitefield neighborhood to Kengeri, Mysore Road, Majestic, and other areas of central and south Bengaluru. It is expected to benefit over 6 lakh daily commuters.

The eagerly awaited extensions of the Kengeri-Challaghatta and Baiyappanahalli-Krishnarajapuram lines are now slated to enrich the city's infrastructure by September. Further enhancing connectivity, the ongoing Nagasandra-Madavara expansion is making steady progress and is anticipated to reach completion by December of this year.

The Baiyappanahalli-Krishnarajapuram metro line in Bengaluru initiated its trial run in late July, under the vigilant supervision of the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). Preceding the inauguration, meticulous test runs are conducted to evaluate track alignment, speed, civil interfaces, and other technical aspects. The load test, executed on the Open Web Grinder (OWG) atop the Indian Railways track in Bennaganahalli, was followed by scrutiny from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS), whose approval will pave the way for the inauguration.

This two-kilometer stretch of the purple line will connect the Whitefield neighborhood to Kengeri, Mysore Road, Majestic, and various central and southern areas of Bengaluru.

The Whitefield-KR Puram line was initiated by the previous BJP-led administration, which faced criticism for not completing this pivotal stretch. BMRCL justified the delay, explaining that authorization from Indian Railways was indispensable for installing an open web grinder above the Bennganahalli railway station. Jyotipuram will be the solitary metro station between KR Puram and Baiyappanahalli.

Despite the mounting demand to bridge the gap in the purple line, the deadlines have been extending each month. The inauguration of this missing link was initially planned for June but was deferred to August.

Additionally, the chief minister revealed that the new line between RV Road and Bommanahalli and the Nagasandra-Madavara extension on Namma Metro's green line are also expected to be operational by the end of December 2023.