Namma Metro's Second Line

Namma Metro is throwing its second line open to Bangalore: the 10 km track stretch from Malleswaram to Peenya will start operations from Sampige Road on March 1. The official launch of Reach 3 and 3A is scheduled for February 28.
The first Green Line train on the Metro corridor is likely to decongest traffic on busy stretches of Rajajinagar and Yeshwantpur. There are 10 stations on the 10 km stretch, and though some of them are not complete, BMRC said it will go ahead with the launch.
“The project is already delayed by 18 months and the launch cannot be further delayed. BMRC is not in charge of providing parking, which has to be done by the BBMP. BMTC will provide feeder services wherever required,” said R Ramalinga Reddy, transport and Bangalore in-charge minister.
The total cost of the project on this stretch — Reach 3, 3A of Phase 1 — is Rs 2,100 crore. Construction began in 2009-10. The train, running at a speed of 80 km per hour, aims to ferry 1 lakh persons a day. It can take 975 persons per trip.
The train is scheduled to stop for 90 seconds at each station. “Of all the stretches, the challenge was Kuvempu Road, because it’s so narrow,” said BS Sudhir Chandra, director (project & planning), secretary, ministry of railways.
Chief minister Siddaramaiah, petroleum minister Veerappa Moily, railway minister Mallikarjun Kharge and Union minister for transport Oscar Fernandes are likely to take part in the inaugural of Metro Phase-1, Reach 3 on February 28.
“During the launch of the Green Line, we will also have a foundation laying ceremony for other projects of Phase 2, that cost around Rs 26,000 crore,” said BMRC managing director Pradeep Singh Kharola.

Civil work in some of the stations on this stretch is still incomplete. But BMRC MD PS Kharola says it will be completed before the stations open for the public. “The platforms are meant to accommodate a train with six coaches. Currently, we have three coaches. The platforms are adequate for three coaches.’’ Transport minister R Ramalinga Reddy said the elections have nothing to do with the Reach-2 launch. “Each project has a deadline. The project was already delayed by 18 months because of retendering issues. This stretch is ready for launch. Issues of last-mile connectivity will be resolved.”