The 7.5-km elevated corridor of the Namma Metro Pink Line, running between Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere, has received clearance from the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS), according to The Hindu Bangalore. The clearance followed a three-day statutory safety inspection of the corridor earlier this month, carried out by V. Venkatasubramanian, Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety, Southern Circle.
Possible opening date
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said the elevated stretch is likely to open in mid-November, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi possibly attending a Metro inauguration in the city on November 15. Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, however, said the Central representatives had only indicated a possible visit in mid-November and had not yet confirmed the dates. He said he would seek an appointment with them the following week to settle the date.
Stations on the corridor
The inspected corridor has six stations: Kalena Agrahara, Hulimavu, IIM-B, JP Nagar 4th Phase, Jayadeva Hospital and Tavarekere. Once open, the stretch will extend the operational Namma Metro network from 96.10 km to 103.60 km.
Wider Pink Line plans
The elevated stretch is part of the 21.3-km Pink Line. The remaining 13.8 km is an underground section that will run from Dairy Circle to Tannery Road via M.G. Road and Shivajinagar. According to the report, the full line will link the southern part of the city with the centre and make travel easier for many office-goers.
Delays so far
The State government had earlier hoped to open the line in August, but the date has been pushed back several times. According to the report, safety audits and the availability of Union government representatives for the inauguration caused the delays.
Mr. Gowda said the corridor is ready for public service as soon as the Government of India announces an inauguration date, and that the State has already written to request one. Passengers should wait for an official date before planning trips on the new stretch.