Bengaluru’s Namma Metro Yellow Line to Be Launched by PM Modi Today
BENGALURU: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate Bengaluru’s Namma Metro Yellow Line today, with commercial operations scheduled to commence at 5 a.m. on Monday. The event marks a significant milestone for the city’s public transportation network, aimed at easing traffic congestion in southern Bengaluru. The Prime Minister will travel on the metro from Ragigudda station to Infosys Foundation-Konappana Agrahara station, joined by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and several Members of Parliament.
The Yellow Line, spanning from RV Road to Bommasandra, will initially operate with three trainsets running every 25 minutes. The inauguration ceremony will take place at the International Institute of Information Technology (IIITB) campus, with industry leaders expected to attend. A Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) official noted that hosting the event at Ragigudda, rather than RV Road Interchange, avoids disruptions to the operational Green Line and mitigates security concerns that would arise from closing RV Road station.
The Infosys Foundation-Konappana Agrahara station is one of three constructed under an innovative financing model, where corporate entities contributed to the development of metro stations. This approach highlights a collaborative effort to enhance Bengaluru’s infrastructure.
In addition to the metro inauguration, Modi’s visit coincides with his attendance at KSR Bengaluru railway station to launch a new Vande Bharat Express service to Belagavi. To accommodate this event, South Western Railway (SWR) has adjusted train schedules, with some services like train nos. 66512, 66529, and 66541 terminating at Bengaluru Cantonment instead of KSR. Other trains, including nos. 16215 and 66554, will end at Kengeri, while nos. 07339 and 66524 will conclude at Yeshwantpur. SWR initially announced cancellations but later withdrew them, opting for short terminations to manage logistics. Passengers are advised to use the front-side entry for platform access at KSR station.