Bengaluru’s face set to change with 3 new metro routes

Next year is expected to be a game-changer for Bengaluru in terms of urban connectivity and mobility, as three more key metro stretches are expected to be completed and open to the public, possibly changing the face 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-km 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 5.6 km stretch of the project has been delayed for long due to land acquisition hurdles, but now things seem to be on track. The opening of the Electronics City corridor is scheduled on June 2023. With more than 95% of the work completed, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) hopes to make it ready for operation before the deadline. This 19.1-km section is part of the Yellow Line. However, the 37-km-long airport-link section of the Blue Line from the city to Kempegowda International Airport (KIAL) in Devanahalli will only be operational by 2025. See also: BHEL-Titagarh, Alstom among 5 bidders for Vande BharatMMRC achieves new breakthrough on Metro 3