BMRCL's purple line to be fully operational from today

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The Purple Line of the BMRCL is set to be fully operational with the opening of the Krishnarajapuram – Baiyappanahalli and Kengeri– Challaghatta segments, bringing relief to commuters.

According to reports, it is expected to be fully operational from today, October 6, although the official inauguration date is yet to be announced.

The recent receipt of security clearance for the Kengeri-Challaghatta section indicates that the opening is imminent.

The entire Purple Line, after the inauguration, will span a total distance of 42.85 km, connecting Challaghatta in West Bengaluru to Whitefield (Kadugodi) in East Bengaluru.

This completion is anticipated to alleviate traffic congestion in the city, particularly during peak hours, with a 10-minute frequency between Challagatta and Whitefield (Kadugodi) and a five-minute headway between Pattandur Agrahara and Mysuru Road stations.

Furthermore, short-loop services are planned during peak hours between Nadaprabhu Kempegowda interchange Metro Station, Majestic, and MG Road/Byappanahalli.

The journey from Challaghatta to Whitefield by Metro is estimated to take approximately 76 minutes, with a fare of Rs 60 for the entire route. BMRCL officials expect a ridership boost from the current 6.2 lakh passengers to 7 lakhs once the corridor is fully operational.

This development follows the inauguration of the Whitefield-KR Puram Metro section, covering 13.7 km.

The completion of these pending stretches, which previously relied on feeder buses, marks a significant milestone for Bengaluru's metro system, making it the second-largest metro network in India after Delhi Metro.