Purple Line trains are overcrowded while Namma Metro grapples with delay in delivery of coaches by Chinese company
The Hindu
Nadaprabhu Kempegowda interchange station-Majestic, Indiranagar, Baiyappanahalli, and M.G. Road metro stations on the Purple Line are experiencing a surge in commuters, posing challenges for the crew to manage the crowd. Despite trains operating every three minutes during peak hours, commuters have complained that the BMRCL is overwhelmed by the crowd.
It’s been a week that Namma Metro’s Purple Line commenced operations connecting the eastern and western parts of Bengaluru. While this has brought relief to passengers, six-coach trains are overcrowded now, leading to long queues and inconvenience to passengers.
Metro commuters, who had patiently waited for months, were delighted to finally travel hassle-free between Challaghatta and Whitefield, a distance of 43.49 km with 37 stations in-between, in 76 minutes at an end-to-end fare of ₹60.
“Since the entire stretch is now open, there has been a surge in commuters. Trains are consistently packed,” said Raghu Nair, a commuter from Baiyappanahalli who takes the metro to MG Road daily. “The frequency of trains is low. The waiting time is increasing. Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) should increase frequency of trains or increase the number of coaches.”
Metro train service frequency on the Whitefield (Kadugodi) – Pattandur Agrahara section is 10 minutes, and on the Pattandur Agrahara – Mysuru Road section is 5 minutes. During morning peak hours, the frequency on the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Station-Majestic – M.G. Road section is three minutes, and between Mysuru Road and Challaghatta is 10 minutes.
Nadaprabhu Kempegowda interchange station-Majestic, Indiranagar, Baiyappanahalli, and M.G. Road metro stations on the Purple Line are experiencing a surge in commuters, posing challenges for the crew to manage the crowd. Despite trains operating every three minutes during peak hours, commuters have complained that the BMRCL is overwhelmed by the crowd.
Tulasi Gowda, a regular commuter, said, “We’re happy to witness the metro operating across its full stretch, benefiting many commuters. However, the chaotic situation at Majestic interchange station during peak hours is a matter of concern. BMRCL is unprepared for the magnitude of the crowd, and lacks effective strategies, like increasing train frequency or implementing crowd control measures.”
BMRCL officials said that this problem will persist until they acquire new coaches. Currently, BMRCL operates 57 trains, with 33 designated for the Purple Line and 24 for the Green Line, with the total network stretching 73 km.
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