CM opens metro bridge, flags off second 6-car train

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday inaugurated a bridge connecting Kempegowda metro station with bus stations.

He also flagged off the second six-car train of Namma Metro.

Though the morning peak hour was almost over by the time Kumaraswamy entered the Metro station at 11.40 am, crowds were seen waiting for the train beyond the erected barricades to ensure a smooth programme.

The crowd thronged to take a peek of the chief minister during the event at the Kempegowda Metro station.

Kumaraswamy then climbed down to platform number 3 to board a train to Nagasandra to attend an event at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre and chose not to speak to the media persons.

The work on the bridge in Majestic was completed in June. But the inauguration was delayed by three months. Sources in the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) said the delay was mainly due to the ‘unavailability of VVIPs’ at the same time.

On Thursday, besides the chief minister, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara and Transport Minister D C Thammanna were present along with KSRTC officials.

BMRCL Managing Director Ajay Seth said the bridge connecting the City Railway Metro Station with Platform No 10 of the Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna Railway Station would be opened in a month.

About the bridge proposed to connect the metro and rail stations at Yeshwantpur, he said two rounds of talks had been held with the railways, and the work would begin in two months.

Confusion at Nagasandra

There was a tense moment at Nagasandra when a group of Congress workers surrounded Parameshwara shouting slogans.

Police had a tough time controlling the crowd which continued to follow Parameshwara till he got into his car.

Earlier, the train to Nagasandra saw passengers huddled in the first and last coaches as the middle car was reserved for the chief minister and VVIPs. Many were not allowed to board the train due to limited space.

Three 6-car trains per month from Nov

Starting November, Namma Metro will induct three six-car trains every month, bringing much-needed relief to commuters travelling in crowded trains.

BMRCL Managing Director Ajay Seth told media persons that the third set of three intermediate cars are being assembled.

“Another six-car train (the third one) will be introduced by the end of the month. Bharat Earth Movers Limited will supply three sets of cars from next month,” he said.

The ‘big’ train flagged off on Thursday will run on the Purple Line (Byappanahalli-Mysuru Road).

Asked about the introduction of the six-car train on the Green Line (Nagasandra-Yelachenahalli), the managing director said it would be considered after adding four more such trains on the Purple Line.