The inaugural ride of Namma Metro Reach 2 on Monday gave an indication of the ease of commuting awaiting commuters between Mysuru Road and Magadi Road from Wednesday.
The inaugural run was delayed by the late arrival of dignitaries. The train left Magadi Road station at 4.44 p.m. and breezed into Mysuru Road Station in 13 minutes without making a halt at the four stations in between. Including halts, the distance will be covered in 20 minutes.
The service promises to be a lifesaver for those who want to escape the perennial traffic on Mysuru Road. With the East-West corridor expected to be operational in the next three months, Metro will be the favoured option for several commuters who use their own vehicles to travel from Nayandahalli to Majestic.
On Monday, hundreds of officials and workers boarded the inaugural trains shuttling between the two stations. The curves were negotiated with ease and the services were operated without a hitch.
“It was a smooth ride and it should be, as we have worked hard for this. It is great to see this stretch being commissioned,” said Deepak N., an official who worked on the stretch.
Phase I by June 2016
“Operations of Phase I of Namma Metro will not commence in April, but in June,” Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Monday after inaugurating the Mysuru Road-Magadi Road stretch.
“The project should have been completed by now, but there were some problems. By June, 42.3 km of Phase 1 will be completed,” Mr. Siddaramaiah said.
BMRCL Managing Director Pradeep Singh Kharola said all construction work, except for a 2-kilometer underground stretch, will be completed by April 2016.
Also, the Chief Minister said that the government is open to the idea of implementing a circular rail across the city to reduce traffic on the roads if the Centre agrees to share half the cost.
Name game begins
With Namma Metro Phase 1 nearing completion, there seems to be a race to name stations, and the Metro service itself.
While Vijayanagar MLA M. Krishnappa asked that the name of Namma Metro be changed to Kempegowda Metro to honour the city’s founding father, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah cryptically said that the government is open to the suggestion.
Union Fertiliser Minister H.N. Ananthkumar proposed naming Hosahalli metro station on the newly inaugurated Reach 2 after late Balagangadharanatha swami of Adichunchangiri Mutt. The suggestion was readily accepted by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu.
On the occasion, Mr. Siddaramaiah made it clear that renaming Kempegowda International Airport is not under consideration.
