The much-awaited Metro rail service between KR Puram and Whitefield, which is to be inaugurated on March 25 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will reduce the travel time between the two places to 23 minutes from the current one hour (on average) by road.
The PM is also likely to ride the Metro after inaugurating it. The two localities are 10-12km apart but due to the concentration of several workplaces and IT parks between the two, travelling by road can take up to an hour in peak traffic.
This Metro line is part of the extended Purple Line from Byappanahalli to Whitefield, built under Phase II of Namma Metro project. The total length of the extended Purple Line is 15km whereas the stretch between KR Puram and Whitefield is 13.2km. There is, however, no clarity on when operations on the stretch will begin. BMRCL is also expected to link KR Puram Metro Station to the one at Byappanahalli. But the work for the same is on and this part of the line is likely to be opened in mid-2023.
BMRCL sources said the fare between the two stations (KR Puram and Whitefield) will be around Rs 35. Bharat Earth Movers Limited has built seven trains to be operated on this line, five of which will be run at a frequency of 10-12 minutes. BMRCL is hoping that Metro ridership will jump to 10 lakh after the entire line – from Byappanahalli to Whitefield – is completed. Feeder buses are also in store.