Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited BMRCL has obtained much awaited safety clearance for elevated portion of Metro Pink Line between Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere, Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said Wednesday. BMRCL will launch service as soon as Centre gives date for inauguration. Pink Line is 21.25 km north south corridor from Kalena Agrahara to Nagawara. The 7.5 km elevated corridor has six stations.
Details. Stations Kalena Agrahara, Hulimavu, IIMB, J P Nagar 4th Phase, Swagath Road Cross, Tavarekere. Pending 13.75 km underground Dairy Circle to Nagawara, tunneling 90 percent done with Tunnel Boring Machines, expected December 2026.
Pink Line importance. Connects south Bengaluru Jayanagar, Banashankari, Bannerghatta Road to north MG Road interchange. Connects to Green Line at Jayadeva Hospital, Indias first road cum metro flyover double decker. Jayadeva Interchange will reduce traffic at Silk Board junction which sees 6 lakh vehicles per day.
Ridership projected 5 lakh daily. South Bengaluru has no metro, traffic Bannerghatta Road 2 hours to MG Road. After Pink Line, time 35 minutes.
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Delay reasons. Land acquisition Jayadeva flyover demolition, tree cutting 300 trees, environmental clearance delayed, utility shifting. Cost Rs 15,000 crore, Japan International Cooperation Agency loan 60 percent.
CMRS inspection October 15 to 18, speed trial 80 kmph, braking test, signalling test. Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety southern circle A M Chowdhary gave clearance.
Opening. Centre gives date, PM likely to inaugurate November 15 before Karnataka MLC polls? Protocol requires PMO date.
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For Bengaluru, Metro Phase 2 72 km only 30 km opened, Phase 3 approval pending 44 km. Traffic loss Rs 20,000 crore per year per BCG study.
Impact. Real estate Hulimavu, Kalena Agrahara rents up 20 percent, shops up.
Challenge. First and last mile connectivity, BMTC feeder buses needed.
Tags: #BengaluruMetro #PinkLine #BMRCL #KalenaAgrahara #CMRS #JICA #Jayadeva #Bannerghatta #MetroSafety