Had BMRCL met deadlines, 1.7 million could have benefited daily
The Hindu
In its annual report in 2013-14, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) claimed that by 2017, around 1.7 million people in the city would rely on Namma Metro. The report stated that the
In its annual report in 2013-14, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) claimed that by 2017, around 1.7 million people in the city would rely on Namma Metro. The report stated that the completion of Phase II alone – with four extensions and two new lines – would benefit 14.8 lakh people. Cut to a decade later: Phase II is nowhere near completion. Multiple deadlines have been missed and the robust transport system that citizens were promised has yet to become a reality.
On October 21, 2011, BMRCL introduced metro services in the city for the first time between M.G. Road and Baiyappanahalli for a distance of 6.7 km. Bengaluru was the first city in South India to get a metro. However, BMRCL could not open the rest of the lines on schedule. Phase 1, covering a distance of 42 km including the Purple line (Baiyyappanahalli – Mysore Road) and the Green Line (Nagasandra – Yelachenahalli), became completely operational only mid-2017. Delays in land acquisition and change in plans to tunnel boring machines breaking down resulted in missed deadlines.
Everyone talks about the Airport Metro, but one look at the pillars and completion seems nowhere in sight. Meanwhile, a faster, cheaper, roomier alternative called the Suburban Rail Airport Corridor is finally getting off the drawing board. This dedicated corridor with its specialised coaches will link the airport to vast stretches of Bengaluru, where the metro connection is still years away.