Metro makes steady inroads

Come October 20, it will be exactly a year since Bangalore joined the league of cities with rapid transit rail systems, with the launch of the Namma Metro.

Even though the project has a long way to go (with other reaches and underground corridors yet to be completed) in improving connectivity and travelling experience for Bangaloreans, the first operational stretch between MG Road and Baiyappanahalli has definitely given a glimpse of better changes in the way we commute in the future.

Starting today, Deccan Herald brings to its readers the progress on various phases of Namma Metro in the last one year, and the road ahead.

It was 4 pm on October 20, 2011 when Union Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath launched the Namma Metro operation.

Till then, Bangaloreans had to wait through several deadlines, right from March 2010 when the service was scheduled to be made available for the public.

Notwithstanding the delay, the response was overwhelming, with more than 1.5 lakh people taking the train within three days after the launch.

Acoording to officials with the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) — the executing agency — people still take the Metro for joyrides and over time, the service has also become a tourist attraction in the Garden City.

During the first month of its operation, an average over 41,000 people took the Metro every day and the revenue generated was over Rs two crore.

Safer and quicker

Even though the average number of people taking the Namma Metro has reduced (number of people taking joyrides has decreased), it has become a regular mode of transport for many as they consider it to be safe, quick and a smarter means of transport. The tunnelling work between Central College and Vidhana Soudha stations is expected to be completed soon.

The ground work is part of the 4.8 km East-West underground corridor (between the Cricket Stadium and Magadi Road) and the BMRCL is done with 94 per cent of excavation for the east ramp.

Job done

“As for the tunnelling work,  both the tunnels between Majestic and Sir M Visveswaraya Station have been completed. Both TBM 1 (Helen) and TBM 2 (Margarita) have started tunnelling between Sir M Visveswaraya Station and Vidhana Soudha Station.

TBM 1 (Helen) has progressed up to 504 m and TBM 2 (Margarita) up to 282 m. TBM 3, between Cubbon Park and East Ramp, has completed west-bound tunnel,” said a senior official from the BMRCL.