Namma Metro Celebrates 13 Years: Purple Line Addition Lifts Ridership To 9 Lakh Per Day In Bengaluru

Namma Metro, once dismissed with jokes and skepticism as a 'toy train' during its inaugural year, has now cemented its place as the backbone of Bengaluru's public transportation system. As the Metro steps into its 13th year, its significance in addressing the city's growing traffic crisis is more evident than ever. Namma Metro recorded its highest-ever daily ridership of 9,17,365 on August 14.

'The launch of the full Purple Line has been a game-changer, adding over 1 lakh new daily riders and expanding the Metro's reach to a total network of 73.81 km.

Journey of Growth

Namma Metro's journey began with a modest start in 2011, covering the short stretch from Baiyappanahalli (BYP) to M.G. Road. Today, it has grown into the second-largest metro network in India, spanning 72.17 km. More growth is on the horizon, with 97.84 km of metro lines currently under construction and an additional 81.64 km of new routes proposed.

Delays and Missed Targets

A X user @WF_Watcher wrote,'Despite its growing network, the Metro project has faced numerous delays. The 18.82 km Yellow Line, which should have been operational long ago, remains incomplete, leading to significant revenue loss. Similarly, a small extension on the Green Line took 7.5 years to complete and is yet to be inaugurated. The Blue and Pink Lines, crucial to the city's future connectivity, have also seen multiple postponements.''

''Despite these setbacks, Namma Metro is projected to reach approximately 94.051 km of operational lines in the coming months,'' user remarked.

Namma Metro, conceptualised nearly two decades before its launch, marked a crucial milestone in Bengaluru's transportation infrastructure when it began operations. Celebrating its 13th anniversary, Namma Metro's first operational stretch, Reach 1, connecting M.G. Road to Baiyappanahalli, was inaugurated in 2011, signifying the city's entry into mass rapid transit systems.

Today, Bengaluru's metro network is India's second-longest, covering 73.81 km, second only to the Delhi Metro. It also made history as South India's first metro to feature an underground station. Recently, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) launched operations for the entire 43.49 km Purple Line, linking Challaghatta to Whitefield.