Bengaluru Metro readies for likely launch of Whitefield-Challaghatta line on October 6

In what could be a major relief for commuters, especially techies traveling to areas like Mahadevapura, International Tech Park Bangalore(ITPB) and Kadugodi, the long-awaited Whitefield-Challaghatta Metro corridor (Purple Line) is likely to be launched on October 6.

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) sources told Moneycontrol that inauguration of 2.2 km Byappanahalli – KR Pura and 2.1 km Kengeri – Challaghatta is likely on October 6, 2023.

"Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) approval was granted for Byappanahalli- KR Pura section on September 25 . We expect the CMRS nod for Kengeri – Challaghatta on October 3. Following this, we will officially announce the inauguration date which is likely to be on October 6, 2023," a senior BMRCL official told Moneycontrol.

However, BMRCL managing director Anjum Parwez told Moneycontrol that the inaugural date is yet to be finalised .

Once operational, Bengaluru Metro’s Purple Line will span 43.49 km, connecting Challaghatta in West Bengaluru to Whitefield (Kadugodi) in East Bengaluru. The entire Bengaluru Metro network will cover 73.81 km, making it the second-largest metro system in India after Delhi Metro's 350.2 km.

BMRCL officials said that they are prepared to commence operations, with all pending work at Challaghatta and Benniganahalli stations now completed.

On train operations, a senior official told Moneycontrol: "During peak hours, there will be a 10-minute frequency between Challagatta and Whitefield (Kadugodi), and a five-minute headway between Pattandur Agrahara and Mysuru Road stations.

"There are plans for short- loop services between Nadaprabhu Kempegowda interchange Metro Station, Majestic and MG Road/Byappanahalli  during peak hours. During non-peak hours, headway will be eight minutes between Challagatta and Whitefield (Kadugodi)." he said.

According to BMRCL officials, journey from Challaghatta in West Bengaluru to Whitefield in East Bengaluru is estimated to take around 82 minutes by Metro, with an end-to-end journey fare fixed at Rs 60. Bengaluru Metro's daily ridership is expected to increase from the existing 6.2 lakh to 7 lakh once the Whitefield-Challaghatta corridor is launched.

On March 25, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Whitefield-KR Pura Metro section, covering a distance of 13.7 km, which has now around 35,000 daily ridership. However, missing link between KR Pura and Byappanahalli has posed significant hardships to passengers, as they have had to rely on feeder buses.

In 2017, BMRCL awarded the civil work contract for the 15 km Byappanahalli-Whitefield stretch with a 27-month deadline. Originally scheduled for completion in 2020, it missed multiple deadlines due to various reasons.

Last-mile connectivity

As part of the #Personal2Public campaign ,
Outer Ring Road Companies Association (ORRCA) has identified five major tech parks with a combined workforce of 3.75 lakh employees to provide feeder services from Metro stations. The plan is to provide direct point-to-point services with 6,000 passengers per hour, using a fleet of 45 feeder buses measuring 9 meters in length. These buses will operate at a frequency of every 2.5 minutes during peak hours (8 am-10 am and 5 pm-7 pm).

Here is a breakdown of the nearest Metro stations for each tech park:

RMZ Ecospace (1 lakh employees) - Nearest station: KR Pura (10 km in 33 minutes by bus).
Embassy Tech Park (70,000 employees): KR Pura (8.9 km in 25 minutes).
Prestige Tech Park (85,000 employees): Seetharampalya (7.6 km in 25 minutes).
Bagmane Tech Park (85,000 employees): KR Pura (2.6 km in 10 minutes).
Cessna Tech Park (35,000 employees): Seetharampalya (8.4 km in 30 minutes).

According to a report submitted by the ORRCA to the traffic police, 6.4 lakh employees now commute daily between Silk Board and KR Puram using 3.3 lakh vehicles, including personal cars and cabs.

Traffic police have urged ORRCA and companies on the Outer Ring Road to provide shuttle bus services between Central Silk Board and KR Puram for employees, as well as to encourage carpooling initiatives to reduce the number of vehicles.

Also, read: Traffic cops propose carpooling, shuttle buses to ease congestion on Bengaluru's Outer Ring Road

BMRCL is also collaborating with corporate firms to facilitate the issuance of bulk passes for employees.  BMRCL officials said Applied Materials in ITPB (International Technology Park Bangalore), Whitefield, has already procured 500 Metro smart cards for its employees.

Also, read: Bengaluru’s seething tech corridor calls for timely advisories, efficient public transport