JOIN USReaching Whitefield from Baiyappanahalli gets easier
Commuters using the congested Outer Ring Road (ORR) to travel between Baiyappanahalli and Whitefield via KR Puram need not wait for the proposed Namma Metro line for a seamless ride.
Providing a much-needed alternative, the South Western Railway (SWR) has extended its existing Marikuppam-KR Puram MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) passenger service (train number 66533) up to Baiyappanahalli. This will dramatically bring down the commuting time to less than 30 minutes at a fare of just Rs 15.
Moreover, the train’s official stoppage at the Hoody halt station is likely to attract many people, including a large number of computer technology professionals. Commuters can also switch to Namma Metro and travel up to Mysuru Road or Nagasandra on both the lines from Baiyappanahalli. The only limitation, however, is that travellers need to reach the railway station at the scheduled time, unlike in Metro and bus services which are available every 10-15 minutes.
“The extension of train service up to Baiyappanahalli is a welcome step in providing the much-needed alternative to the ORR. More so, people can use the train during peak time.
The railways should also consider extending the proposed Ramanagaram-Majestic MEMU passenger train up to Whitefield, which is expected to run in the morning. This will encourage more people to use the train in the morning and the evening,” said Sanjeev Dyamannavar, urban mobility expert.
K N Krishna Prasad and T P Lokesh from the Karnataka Railway Vedike want the SWR to further extend the MEMU service from Baiyappanahalli to Bengaluru Cantonment. “This is not only feasible but also helps city commuters,” Prasad said.
On the other side, the Whitefield Rising group has demanded introduction of two additional MEMU trains during morning and evening peak hours, conversion of three diesel-electric multiple unit (DEMU) trains to MEMU as well as doubling with electrification of the railway track between Hebbal and Hosur.
Sanjiv Agarwal, Divisional Railway Manager, Bengaluru, SWR, said the proposal of Whitefield Rising had been forwarded to the SWR headquarters for approval.