The upcoming metro stretch between Whitefield to KR Puram is perceived as a game-changer in the IT city. This 13-km first-phase stretch, which is part of the Whitefield-Baiyappanahalli corridor (Reach-1 extension), is set for launch in March this year. Once operational, the Metro trains on this route with 12 stations, will cover the distance between Whitefield and KR Puram in 23-24 minutes, BMRCL managing director Anjum Parwez told.
The trial run on this route will start in February which will be followed by a safety inspection by the commissioner of Metro rail safety before the stretch is thrown open for commercial operations. In October last year, the trial run between Whitefield and KR Puram was conducted with one train and now, the trials with two trains on the parallel track will be held.
The stations on the phase 1 stretch include Whitefield, Channasandra, Kadugodi, Pattandur Agrahara, Sadarmangala, Nallurhalli, Kundalahalli, Sitharama Palya, Hoodi Junction, Garudacharpalya, Saraswati Nagar and KR Puram.
Since the short 2.5-km leg from KR Puram to Baiyappanahalli is likely to take a few more months to complete, the BMRCL will be running feeder buses on this route.
As this stretch seamlessly connects the IT corridor Whitefield to other parts of the city, it is likely to increase the ridership dramatically by 3.5 lakhs.
Works of other metro stretches in the city are also progressing fast. Construction of the Green Line extension of Nagasandra to the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) is also likely to be completed soon. The 5.6 km stretch will have stations at Manjunath Nagar, Chikkabidarakallu and Madavara in addition to BIEC.
The opening of the Electronics City corridor was also scheduled for June 2023 and more than 95 percent work has been completed. This 19.1-kilometre-long Bommasandra -Central Silk Board section is part of the Yellow Line.
The 37-km-long airport-link section of the Blue Line from the city to Kempegowda International Airport (KIAL) in Devanahalli will be operational by 2026.