Nagasandra

BMRCL

KR Market

Baiyapanahalli

Rangoli

Pradeep Singh

* Long queues to buy tokens

* Work still unfinished

The happiest lot are south bengalureans as hitherto idle metro stations are now teeming with lifeSouth Bengalureans who were staring at idle metro corridors and stations for over four years had a reason to cheer on Sunday, as hundreds of people thronged metro stations on the green line to experience a metro ride. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) started commercial operations on the entire north-south corridor fromto Yelachenahalli at 4 pm. With the commissioning of the entire north-south corridor,has made the entire Phase totalling a distance of 42 kilometers, operational. Interestingly, even on Sunday, people turned up in decent numbers at major metros stations between Sampige Road and Yelachenahalli. Revenue services on 12 metro stations including three underground stations (Majestic, Chickpete and) were started from Sunday.BMRCL had partially opened the intersection station while starting commercial operations between east-west corridor (and Mysore Road metro station) on Sunday. The entire metro station, which is spread over 7.5 acres, opened for the general public. To build this ‘Majestic’ station, BMRCL spent over Rs 500 crore and more than 2,000 labour worked round the clock for over four years. The station can accommodate 20,000 people at a time.On Sunday, BMRCL decked up the entire station with colourful floors, balloons and witharts. Hundreds of people reached the platform for north-south line corridor to travel towards Yelachenahalli. People from all age groups from children to the elderly travelled through the underground stretch to reach Yelachenahalli. Speaking to Bangalore Mirror, MD of BMRCLKharola said, “The response to the first- day operations was really good and people turned up as expected.The major gates of the Majestic intersection were opened up to the general public and People in large numbers travelled in the purple line. Operations on the purple line were as usual. We are studying the travelling pattern and depending on footfall, we will open additional counters to issue tokens and smart cards.” People were seen taking selfies with metro officials including the MD while they were waiting at the station. BMRCL has already estimated that a number of passengers would increase to 4 to 5 lakh once in the initial months of operations.*On Sunday, in some newly opened stations like Majestic, National College and Yelachenahalli, people were seen standing in long queues to buy tokens. At some stations, people were seen standing even before the shutters were opened. It is not only for tokens, but people were seen enquiring about smart cards and buying them as well. “I have come here with family to buy tickets and spent close to half an hour in queue. Officials should have deployed more staff,” felt Harish M, a commuterThough a majority of metro stations look very swank, the underground station at KR Market gave the impression that BMRCL is yet to complete finishing work. Some of the gates were not opened for the public to access the platform. At the station, an escalator was operational and an enclosure was not provided for women passengers for security check. BMRCL and civic authorities such as BBMP have to provide a wider footpath at various stations such as Chickpete too.