The entire Bengaluru metro Purple Line is anticipated to become fully operational by September 15, 2023. As reported by Moneycontrol, this includes the sections from Kengeri to Challaghatta and KR Puram to Baiyappanahalli, which will be open to the public after September 15.
The completion of the Purple Line will effectively link east Bengaluru with most parts of the city. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has requested that the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) investigate the two outstanding lengths as soon as possible.
BMRCL’s Managing Director (MD) Anjum Parwej stated that the CMRS had asked them for a few clarifications and they submitted it on September 7, reports add. “We have requested them to inspect the Byappanahalli-KR Puram (2.1km) and Kengeri-Challaghatta (2 km) Metro sections at the earliest. We are hoping that all pending work, along with the CMRS inspection, will be completed by September 15,” Anjum Parwez told Moneycontrol.
In the meantime, authorities have reported that the final finishing touches are being applied to Benniganahalli station, situated between KR Puram and Byappanahalli stations. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) will commence commercial operations between Whitefield and Challaghatta only after obtaining approval from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS).
The Purple Line is projected to improve public transport once it is completed, as Whitefield is home to several tech parks and a large number of employees. Commuters would also have the option of living in more affordable regions like Challaghatta and Kengeri and travelling to their companies in Whitefield and surrounding areas after the missing connection is built.
Previously, the BJP-led government had initiated the Whitefield-KR Puram line and faced criticism for failing to complete the project on schedule. At the time, the BMRCL stated that they needed authorisation from Indian Railways to install an open web grinder above Bennganahalli railway station.
All construction work has been completed at Benniganahalli, the sole metro station located between Baiyappanahalli and KR Puram.
Bengaluru Metro Purple Line Stations
The Purple Line is currently active from Byappanahalli to Kengeri and from Whitefield (Kadugodi) to KR Puram— covering a total of 39.4 kilometres. On March 25, this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Whitefield-Krishnarajapura Metro stretch (13.7 kilometres).
The construction of the missing link between KR Pura and Byappanahalli, on the other hand, will greatly improve commuting for many passengers, notably tech professionals travelling to areas such as Mahadevapura, ITPB, and Kadugodi. The construction of the Byappanahalli-Whitefield Metro section, an expansion of the Purple Line, was originally scheduled for December 2020 but was postponed due to a variety of factors, reports state.
