BENGALURU: The extended Green Line of Namma Metro on Tumakuru Road from Nagasandra to Madavara (BIEC) is expected to commence commercial operations by Oct.
Maheshwar Rao, MD of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), told TOI trial runs will shortly start on the 3-km stretch.
The extended line, which is part of phase II of Namma Metro has three new stations at Manjunathnagar, Chikkabidarakallu and Madavara. The line will be opened after obtaining safety clearance from the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS), which officials hope will happen by Sept. This will increase Metro’s network to 76km in the city.
“On the Green Line, at present, trains terminate at Nagasandra on Tumakuru Road. Once the extended line becomes operational, trains services will be operated till Madavara. However, depending on the patronage, a decision will be taken on frequency of services,” a BMRCL official said. BMRCL anticipates the extended service will help them gain an additional ridership of 25,000 to 30,000.
Regarding the status of construction works at Madavara, an official said, “Work is nearing completion at Madavara. Traction power supply is done in other two stations and will be done shortly at Madavara. We are getting ready for trial tests on the line; it will happen in the next couple of weeks.”
How it will benefit
Extending the Metro line to Madavara will benefit Bengalureans in several ways. It will provide seamless access to Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, which is a prominent venue hosting consumer and industrial expos.
People coming from Nelamangala and nearby villages in KSRTC buses and others will be able to travel by Metro to reach various points within the city, avoiding traffic congestion. Providing parking space for long-distance buses at Madavara station will help passengers use the Metro with ease.
Under Phase II, BMRCL has extended its two operational lines in four directions. Three of these extensions, from Mysuru Road to Challaghatta (on Mysuru Road), Yelachenahalli to Silk Institute (on Kanakpura Road), and Byappanahalli to Whitefield, have already been opened for commercial operations in a phased manner.
BMRCL had previously set multiple deadlines to open this line, but factors such as delays in construction, land acquisition issues with NICE authorities and the pandemic affected the project’s completion.
The other three Metro lines being constructed under phases II, II A and II B are new lines from Kalena Agrahara to Nagawara, RV Road to Bommsandra, and Silk Board to Kempegowda International Airport.
A decade ago, the transport department and traffic police considered shifting private bus operations to points such as Kengeri, Madavara and KR Puram, but the plan was eventually dropped. Once BMRCL opens Yellow Line from RV Road to Electronics City, people will be able to travel from Madavara to Electronics City. BMRCL will provide an interchange facility at RV Road station that links Green and Yellow lines.
