Bengaluru: Next year is expected to become a game-changer for the IT city in terms of urban connectivity and mobility. Three more key Metro stretches are expected to complete construction and open to the public in 2023, possibly changing the phase of many areas of the city.
The Namma Metro stretch from Whitefield to Baiyappanahalli is likely to see commercial operations by February-end or early March 2023. Trial runs on the 15.2-kilometre stretch have been completed. This key corridor that connects the IT hub to the eastern parts of the city is expected to receive an additional ridership of 2.5 lakh to 3 lakh once the Purple Line with 13 stations opens for the public.
The work of the Green Line extension of Nagasandra to the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) is also likely to be completed next year. The construction is going at a higher pace and the majority of the work has already been completed. The 5.6 km stretch will have stations at Manjunath Nagar, Chikkabidarakallu and Madavara in addition to BIEC. The project has been delayed for long due to land acquisition hurdles, but now, things seem to be back on track.
The opening of the Electronics City corridor has been scheduled for June 2023. With more than 95 percent work completed, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) officials hope to make it ready for operation before the deadline. This 19.1-kilometre-long Bommasandra -Central Silk Board section is part of the Yellow Line. Statios are at RV Road, Ragigudda, Jayadeva Hospital, BTM Layout, Central Silkboard, Bommanahalli, Hongasandra, Kudlu Gate, Singasandra, Hosa Road, Beratana Agrahara, Electronic City, Konappana Agrahara, Huskur Road, Hebbagodi, and Bommasandra.
However, the 37-km-long airport-link section of the Blue Line from the city to Kempegowda International Airport (KIAL) in Devanahalli will be operational by 2025 only. There will be 19 stations in the stretch under the Phase 2B project.
Recently, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai gave his approval to the phase-3 project being built at a cost of Rs 16328 crores and it now awaits the central government's nod.
According to BMRC authorities, the BMRC is expected to make 175 km of Metro stretch operation in the city by June 2025 and the city will have 314 km of metro rail connectivity by 2041.
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