After numerous delays and missed deadlines, Bengaluru’s long-awaited purple line of the Namma Metro is set to become fully operational on October 9. The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) confirmed that the two pending stretches, Krishnarajapuram – Baiyappanahalli and Kengeri – Challaghatta, are ready for service, with the Whitefield – Challaghatta section also set to commence operations. Interestingly, there will be no formal or informal inaugural event on the opening day.
Bengaluru Central MP PC Mohan revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed special concern for the timely launch of the purple line. In a social media post, he stated, “PM Shri @narendramodi Ji has directed BMRCL to commence services on the new stretches of the #PurpleLine (Challaghatta to Kengeri and Baiyappanahalli to Whitefield), without postponing operations for a formal inauguration ceremony with VIP presence.”
The Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) had previously inspected and approved the newly constructed KR Puram – Baiyappanahalli and Kengeri – Challaghatta lines, granting them the necessary safety clearances.
Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya criticized the Congress-led state government for persistent delays in launching the KR Puram-Baiyappanahalli metro line. He emphasized that this new line would benefit a significant portion of Bengaluru’s daily metro commuters and expressed frustration over the government’s apparent reluctance to open the line to the public.
Surya noted, “However, the state government is not opening the operations to the public only because it is waiting for either Rahul Gandhi or some other leader of the Congress to come and inaugurate this project.”
The full operation of the purple line is expected to substantially enhance public transportation in Bengaluru, particularly benefiting commuters traveling to Whitefield, which is home to numerous tech parks employing individuals from various parts of the city.
Sources By Agencies
