After months of delays, the largest industrial area in the city, and perhaps even South India, gets a spot on the Metro Map.
The services on the Reach 3B extension of Namma Metro between Nagasandra (Close to Bangalore International Exhibition Centre) and Peenya Industrial Area Phase I was launched here on May 1. The new stations added are: Peenya Industry, Jalahalli Cross, Darasarahalli and Nagasandra.
The addition of four stations along the 3.4 km extension will now see commuters able to travel 10.5 kms between Mantri Square on Sampige Road station and Nagasandra within 25 minutes.
After flagging off the services, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the entire 42.5km metro network will be thrown open by March 2016. “Moreover, tender bidding for works on 72-km under Phase II will be finalised within a few days,” he said.
Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu said the Union was placing emphasis on developing metro networks in cities across the country. “The eligibility for approval has been lowered to a city of population more than 10 lakh, instead of 20 lakh,” he said.
Protests
The formal programme at Peenya depot of the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) saw a couple of protests interrupting speeches. Many held placards and shouted slogans against the project for having failed to provide “basic facilities” of toilets and drinking water at the stations.
“May Day” on November 1
Perhaps it was the incessant evening drizzle and cool nights that confused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. During the inauguration of Reach 3B of Namma Metro on Friday, the Chief Minister repeatedly referred to ‘May Day’ as being on November 1. “On November 1 today, we celebrate May Day, and we need to remember our pledge to labourers,” he said to suppressed laughter from the audience. Immediately there was another reference to November instead of May.
