The Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) has given approval for the commencement of passenger operations on the 2.1 km KR Pura - Byappanahalli section of the Purple Line.
Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) officials said CMRS's approval is subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions and opening of the section will be announced after compliance with these requirements.
CMRS (Southern Circle) AM Choudhary and his team conducted the statutory inspection of the Byappanahalli-KR Pura section on September 21. CMRS had inspected systems, sub-systems, viaducts, physical structures, and amenities at Benniganahalli station .
Meanwhile, Choudhary and his team will inspect the 2 km Kengeri-Challaghatta section (Purple Line) on September 29.
A senior BMRCL official told Moneycontrol that both sections (KR Pura - Byappanahalli and Kengeri-Challaghatta) will be inaugurated simultaneously. "But Union and state governments will take a final decision on the inauguration date," he said.
With the Byappanahalli-KR Pura link expected to become operational by the first week of October, Outer Ring Road Companies Association (ORRCA) has requested companies and tech parks to provide their requirements for BMTC feeder/dedicated bus services for their employees.
The completion of the missing link between KR Pura and Byappanahalli will significantly improve the commute for many passengers, especially tech professionals heading to areas such as Mahadevapura, ITPB, and Kadugodi.
According to BMRCL officials, the 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 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.
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