Extended Metro green line from Nagasandra to Madavara inaugurated

BENGALURU: The much-awaited Namma Metro green line extension from Nagasandra to Madavara was inaugurated on Wednesday and is all set to open for public service from Thursday. The new 3.14 km extension of Namma Metro will ease the traffic woes and enhance the connectivity for Bengalureans. With this, the total operational network of Namma Metro will go up to 76 km approximately.

Deputy CM D K Shivakumar and Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya took an inaugural ride on the Metro train from Yeshwantpur to Madavara. They also gathered information from BMRCL officials.

Later, Deputy CM Shivakumar held a press conference at Madavara Metro station and said the services will operate from 5 am to 11 pm, with trains running every 10 minutes between Madavara and Nagasandra. This extended Green Line will ease traffic congestion on Tumakuru Road. It is now open for public service after a period of 91 months, he said.

The route includes three new metro stations: Manjunathanagar, Chikkabidarakallu and Madavara. Bengaluru Metro network now spans 76.95 km including the extended 3.14 km. Priority is being given to complete the Metro work quickly, and another 30 km will be completed next year. The total coverage of Bangalore Metro will be 175 km by 2026.

Shivakumar said the tender process for 21 new Metro trains has been completed at a cost of ₹1,130 crore. “The new trains will be available for service as soon as possible. We’ve completed phases 1 and 2 of the Metro project, and the central government has approved phase 3”, he noted.

Additionally, pedestrian overpasses are being built at Manjunathanagar and Yeshwantpur stations for seamless connectivity. Indian Railways and the Metro authority have collaborated to provide amenities like pedestrian overpasses and others to facilitate easy travel.

He further added that there is a plan to build an underpass near Chikkabidarakallu station in collaboration with the National Highways Authority of India, and discussions are under way with them to build another underpass near Madavara Metro station.This will enable those traveling from Tumakuru to Bengaluru to park their vehicles at the Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) and travel to the city without traffic congestion and finish their work quickly, he said.

“As the former Urban Development Minister, I had approved the Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre project. In the coming days, all MPs and other public representatives will be invited to officially inaugurate the expanded Metro route”, the Deputy CM said.

“Currently, the Metro green line stretches 33.46 km, while the purple line spans 40.5 km. I extend gratitude to the central government, all those who contributed, and especially the people of Bengaluru for making this massive project a success”, Shivakumar said.

Additionally, Bengaluru’s 76.95 km Metro route has more daily commuters than other Metro services across India, including Delhi and Mumbai, showcasing the excellent service provided to Bengaluru’s citizens, Shivakumar added.