Kengeri metro operations is expected to commence from this July

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Bengaluru: Metro operations on the Mysuru Road-Kengeri section will begin by July this year. This will only be possible if everything goes according to Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited’s (BMRCL) plan.

“We are expecting the commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) to inspect this section by the third week of July. Civil work is behind schedule by 20-25 days due to the pandemic but will be completed by next month. Commercial operations will begin by July”, said BMRCL managing director, Rakesh Singh.

The trial runs were started on the section in April. BMRCL is set to finish all the work by June 20. After this, CMRS inspection is likely to happen. When the CMRS gives it permission, BMRCL will be able to start the commercial operations.

The 7.3 km section was supposed to be complete by December 2018. But, it missed several deadlines which include March 2019, November 2019, October 2020, February 2021, April 2021 and June 2021.

There will be six stations in the purple line. The stations will be at Nayandahalli, Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Jnanabharathi, Pattanagere, Kengeri Bus Terminal, and Kengeri. The Challaghatta station is expected to function from 2023. A release from BMRCL stated, “The civil and system works are nearing completion for station building and viaduct.”

It also said, “Parking facility is provided at Nayandahalli, Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Jnanabharathi and two0level parking at Kengeri Bus Terminal, with bus bay on both sides of the station.”

It added, “All stations will have a road crossing facility for the public, except Kengeri Bus Terminal station which is located off road. Construction of FOB connecting to the adjacent BMTC bus depot will be taken up later.”

The release stated, “This will be the first section of BMRCL to have an AFC system compatible with NCMC and QR code. The maximum fare for travelling from Byapanahalli to Kengeri would be Rs 56 and Kengeri to Silk Institute, which is the longest stretch, would be Rs 60.”