All systems go! now, Metro to Bengaluru's south

Bengaluru: Bengalureans are elated by the announcement made by Bengaluru Development Minister K.J. George that the Metro first phase has been completed and will be inauguration by President Pranab Mukherjee on June 17.

Christened the Green Line, the last stretch of this line extends for over 10.5 kilometres and connects Sampige Road and Yelachenahalli metro stations providing Metro connectivity to South Bengalureans.

According to reports, the Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) K.A. Manoharan handed over the final authorisation letter late on Wednesday evening. 

The letter was then eventually handed over to Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) on Thursday.

The Green Line will be 24.20 kilometres long and cover various stations including Chickpete, Krishna Rajendra Market, National College, Lalbagh, South End Circle, Jayanagar, Rashtreeya Vidyalaya Road, Banashankari, Jaya Prakash Nagar and Puttenahalli.

 According to Arjun K, who studies at National college, Basavangudi and commutes daily from his paying guest accommodation in Jayanagar, the metro is set to be a boon. 

“I can hop on at Jayanagar and get off at the National college stop. This will save me considerable amount of cash which I spend daily on autos.” 

Pratima Kumar, who works at a hospital near LalBagh and stays at Banashankari, said, “It cost me nearly '50 by auto for my daily commute one way. I hope the Metro is soon operational so people like me will be able to use it and save money, fuel and time.”

The much anticipated Green Line will be the second operational line of the Metro and it connects Nagasandra in the north to Yelachenahalli in the south.  The line has 24 stations and is partly elevated, while the rest is underground.

The whole of Metro Phase I comprises two lines (purple and green) spanning a length of 42.30 kilometres, of which about 8.82 kilometres is underground and about 33.48 kilometres is elevated.