A staggering 12.29 crore passengers used Phase I of Namma Metro in a year, which completes a full year of commercial operations on Monday. The 42.3 km stretch saw an average ridership of over 3.36 lakh per day, generating revenue of ₹ 89.84 lakh per day.
Overall, in a year, Phase I generated revenue of ₹ 327.93 crore for the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL).
On June 17, 2017, the then President Pranab Mukherjee had inaugurated the Green Line between Sampige Road and Yelachenahalli, a day after which the BMRCL started commercial operations of the entire Phase I.
Mahendra Jain, Managing Director, BMRCL said, “We wish to profusely thank citizens for using the metro as their preferred mode of travelling. Our appreciation also for all the metro family members for their efforts to improve the service.”
The BMRCL had started commercial operations in a phased manner, with the stretch between M G Road and Baiyappanahalli (6.7 km) being the first to be opened to the public on October 20, 2011.
Mysuru Road, Kanakapura Road operations in 2019
The BMRCL is now focussing on Phase II with Mr. Jain expressing confidence that commercial operations of the Mysuru Road and Kanakapura Road stretches will begin by 2019.
However, commuters will have to wait till at least 2020 to travel by the metro to Whitefield and Electronics City.
“All the civil works are likely to be completed by 2018 or beginning of 2019 on both the Mysuru Road and Kanakapura Road extensions. We are confident of opening the line to the public by 2019,” said Mr. Jain.
He added that the Tumakuru Road stretch, where the metro is being extended up to Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) from Nagasandra, is likely to be operational by 2020.
EIB clears Vellara junction to Pottery Town tender
The BMRCL, which recently approached the European Investment Bank (EIB) seeking clearance for floating a tender of Vellara Junction to Pottery Town underground stretch under Phase II, has been given the green signal.
“This time, we are hoping that there will be competitive bidding for the tender unlike last time,” said BMRCL MD Mahendra Jain.
The BMRCL had cancelled the tender for the underground stretch from Dairy Circle to Nagawara a few months ago citing exorbitant prices quoted by the bidders. The BMRCL has now proposed to build elevated corridor on either end of the original alignment to cut down the cost and for early completion of the project.
The completion of this stretch is crucial to extend the metro till Kempegowda International Airport (KIA).
