Commuters along Bengaluru's Bannerghatta Road finally have a metro to catch. Trains on the first part of Namma Metro's Pink Line started carrying passengers on Saturday, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally opened the section.
Before declaring the line open on Friday, the prime minister took a ride on it, travelling from Tavarekere to IIMB. What has opened is a 7.5-km stretch built on an elevated track. Its addition pushes the length of Bengaluru's working metro network past the 100-km mark, a first for the city.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Minister Gowda called it "a long-awaited moment for Bengaluru residents", saying the line was now ready for partial service.
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Six Stations On The Route
Passengers can use six stations on the new section, which stretches between Kalena Agrahara at one end and Tavarekere at the other. Travelling from the Kalena Agrahara end, trains stop at Hulimavu, IIMB, JP Nagar 4th Phase and Jayadeva Hospital before reaching Tavarekere.
When Trains Run
The Karnataka government has said the first trains of the day leave both terminals at 6 am, while the final departures are at 11 pm. Sunday services are an exception, with the day's first train setting off at 7 am instead.
For now, passengers should not have to wait more than eight minutes for a train. Gowda said the line has been given five trains in all. Four of them will be in daily service, and one will be held in reserve.
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Fares Still Awaited
Gowda said the ticket prices for the section are still being worked out. According to a report by Oneindia, a single journey could cost anywhere from Rs 10 to Rs 30, with the price rising with distance. Officials have not confirmed these numbers.
The Rest Of The Line
The section now running is only a part of the Pink Line. The finished line will stretch 21.25 km in all, with a total of 18 stations.
The bigger portion still to come is a 13.76-km underground stretch from Dairy Circle to Nagawara with 12 stations. Systems on this section are now being tested. It is expected to open sometime next year, and reports point to a window of March to May 2027.
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When both parts are running, commuters will be able to travel between the city's southern and northern neighbourhoods on a single line. An interchange at MG Road will also let them switch to the Purple Line.
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