From next year, you can take Namma Metro to Whitefield and Electronics City

The ridership of Namma Metro likely to cross over 10 lakh with the operations of metro in these two corridors

Residents and employees working in the two tech hubs of Bengaluru — Whitefield and Electronics City — who have been battling traffic woes, may soon be able to heave a sigh of relief. After having missed earlier deadlines, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is all set to start Namma Metro operations in these areas next year.

Under phase II, the network has been extended 15 km from Baiyappanahalli to Whitefield with 13 stations. In October, BMRCL started trial run between Whitefield and K.R. Puram.

The BMRCL had earlier announced several deadlines for the two important corridors: the extended Purple Line from Baiyappanahalli to Whitefield, and a new line from R.V. Road to Bommasandra which connects Electronics City.

Owing to various factors, including those beyond the control of the BMRCL, the deadlines were missed despite construction work having started in 2017-18. However, the recent trial run between Whitefield and K.R. Puram of the extended Purple Line, has provided a ray of hope for commuters.

Anjum Parwez, Managing Director, BMRCL, told The Hindu that the extended Purple Line from Baiyappanahalli to Whitefield will be opened in two phases. In the first phase, K.R. Puram to Whitefield line will be functional by mid-March of 2023.

K.R. Puram to Baiyappanahalli stretch will be operational at a later stage. Feeder service buses will be operated on this stretch.

“The trial runs and related work in the stretch between K.R. Puram and Whitefield are going on as planned. We will deploy five sets of trains there. By June or July of 2023, the entire Baiyappanahalli to Whitefield line will be operational.”