Bengaluru, India’s bustling tech hub, welcomed a significant milestone on October 9th as the long-awaited metro rail services on two segments of the Purple Line finally commenced operations. This development brings much-needed relief to the city’s residents and promises to transform the way people travel within the city. The inauguration of these sections, running from Baiyapanahalli to KR Puram and Kengri to Challaghatta, marks a momentous leap forward in Bengaluru’s public transportation infrastructure.
Source: Swarajya
The Purple Line expansion, spanning from Baiyapanahalli to KR Puram and Kengri to Challaghatta, opened its doors to the public without the fanfare of a formal inauguration ceremony. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) issued an official statement announcing the commencement of passenger services on these two vital segments.
The first segment covers a distance of 2.10 kilometers, connecting Krishnarajapura and Baiyappanahalli, with a crucial intermediate station at Benniganahalli. The second segment, spanning 2.05 kilometers, links Kengeri to Challaghatta. These additions now complete the East-West corridor, a vital artery of Bengaluru’s metro network, stretching from Whitefield (Kadugodi) to Challaghatta, encompassing an impressive 43.49 kilometers and boasting 37 metro stations.
With these new additions, BMRCL’s operational network expands from 69.66 kilometers to an extensive 73.81 kilometers, serving commuters with a total of 66 metro stations.
Source: X
BMRCL has also released operational details, as reported by some sources outlining the headway on the East-West Corridor. During morning peak hours, commuters can expect a 10-minute headway from Whitefield (Kadugodi) to Patandur Agrahara, 5 minutes from Patandur Agrahara to Mysore Road, and a swift 3-minute wait from Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Station – Majestic to MG Road. The headway from Mysore Road to Challaghatta remains at 10 minutes.
The extension of the Purple Line directly addresses a long-standing issue faced by many passengers, particularly tech professionals commuting to areas like Mahadevapura, ITPB, and Kadugodi. Now, officegoers have the option to reside in more affordable areas near Challaghatta while enjoying a convenient commute to their workplaces in Whitefield and its surroundings.
The opening of the entire east-west corridor is poised to significantly reduce travel time for passengers, effectively revolutionizing the city’s mobility landscape. According to BMRCL’s Managing Director, Anjum Parwez, the journey between Challaghatta and Whitefield (Kadugodi) will now take approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes via the metro, compared to the more than two hours typically required by bus or cab during peak hours.
Source: Wikipedia
Parwez is optimistic about the future of Bengaluru’s metro system, stating, “At least 70,000 passengers per day will shift to Namma Metro when the Purple Line becomes fully operational. We believe that more people will choose Namma Metro as it provides a comfortable travel experience in the city.”
The completion of the Byappanahalli-Whitefield Metro section, an extension of the Purple Line, was originally scheduled for December 2020 but experienced unforeseen delays. These delays were primarily attributed to the challenges of erecting an open web girder over the railway track near Benniganahalli Lake, a task requiring close coordination with railway authorities. This work necessitated temporary suspension of train movement during a power block.
