Bangalore ,Apr 30 : Bangalore Metro, popular as Namma Metro, has had an accelerating impact on the realty sector. In a latest development, the KR Puram-Whitefield route has been inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on March 25, 2023. Further, the missing link on the Purple Line is also set to open in June 2023. Read on to know about the Bangalore Metro map, existing metro timings, fare details and other key updates.
The Bangalore Metro, also known as Bengaluru Metro or Namma Metro, is a mass rapid transport system that has a mix of at-grade, elevated and underground stations. Of late the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has announced that commuters in the city can enjoy metro services till late as the Bangalore metro timings have been extended on both Purple and Green lines. Also, the missing link on the Purple Line of the Bangalore Metro, i.e. the 2.5 km Byappanahalli-KR Puram link, is soon to be ready.
The Bengaluru metro operations are being run by BMRCL, which is a joint venture of the Karnataka government and the Government of India. The Namma metro started operations in October 2011. The project holds the feat of becoming the first metro transit in Southern India to have underground routes. Also, it is to become the first inter-state metro project in South India by connecting Bommasandra in Bangalore and Hosur in Tamil Nadu.
Popular localities in Bangalore
Sambhavan N, Owner, Nitya Properties, shares, “During 2017-2021 period, more than 30 percent of new residential project launches in Bangalore were along the proposed new metro corridors. Micro-markets like Kanakapura Road, Mysore Road and Tumkur Road saw hectic real estate activity, with several builders buying land parcels in anticipation of increased demand.
Namma Metro key facts
Below mentioned are some important facts about the Bangalore Metro or Bengaluru Metro
Inauguration Date
October 20, 2011
System
Rapid Transit System
Controlled and maintained by
Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd
Working Stations
51
Train length
6 coaches
Bangalore Metro timings
5:30 am to 11:00 pm
BCurrently, there are two metro lines operational – Purple and Green. There are three under-construction lines – Yellow, Pink and Blue, and one under the planning phase – Orange Line. In total, there are 52 stations covered by the Bangalore Metro (Namma Metro).
Of late, the Namma Metro has also started a QR-based ticketing system on meta-owned WhatsApp to save passengers time. This is the first transit system in India to introduce a QR-based ticketing system on this platform. This feature allows commuters to pay for their tickets via UPI, plan their journey, recharge smartcards, locate the nearest metro station and get fare information. The QR ticket, once generated, can be scanned at the terminal, for contactless entry and exit.
Purple Line
Phase 1 of Namma Metro consists of Green and Purple metro lines spanning a length of 42.30 km. Out of which, 8.83 km is underground while 33.48 km is elevated. The phase consists of 37 stations connecting Whitefield to Challaghatta. In addition, Metro lines in Phase 1 would pass through 4 interchange stations – KR Puram for Blue Line (planned), Mahatma Gandhi Road for Green Line, Sri Balagangadharanatha Swami and Mysore Road for Orange Line (planned).
In fact, Phase I of the Purple Line was the first underground metro section in South India. Parts of Phase 2 have become operational post-March 26, 2023, consisting 12 stations connecting Whitefield to K R Puram. The travel between the newly inaugurated KR Puram and Whitefield stretch is around 23 minutes. Furthermore, the link between Byappanahalli and KR Puram, which has been delayed, may become operational by June 2023.
The BMRCL has also renamed four stations in the stretch to avoid confusion over localities. The metro stations of Hoodi junction, Channasandra, Kudogodi and Whitefield have been renamed to Hoodi, Channasandra (Hopefarm), Kadugodi Tree Park and Whitefield (Kadugodi), respectively.
The BMRCL has proposed India’s first underground metro car depot at Baiyappanhalli. This depot will have a total of 28 stabling line and would serve trains operating on the Outer Ring Road (ORR). The process to acquire land for the proposed project in progress. Additionally, the corporation along with BMTC has provided feeder bus services for at least 5 km of all 12 stations, between KR Puram to Whitefield, easing public transportation.
Stations (Purple Line)
Stations (Purple Line)
Whitefield (Kadugodi)
Cubbon Park
Hopefarm Channasandra
Dr. BR. Ambedkar Station, Vidhana Soudha
Kadugodi Tree Park
Sir M. Visveshwaraya Station, Central College
Pattandur Agrahara
Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Station, Majestic
Sri Sathya Sai Hospital
Krantivira Sangolli Rayanna Railway Station
Nallurhalli
Magadi Road
Kundalahalli
Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji Station, Hosahalli
Seetharamapalya
Vijayanagara
Hoodi
Attiguppe
Garudacharapalya
Deepanjali Nagara
Singayyanapalya
Mysore Road
Krishnarajapura (K.R.Puram)
Pantharapalya – Nayandahalli
Benniganahalli
Rajarajeshwari Nagar
Baiyappanahalli
Jnanabharathi
Swami Vivekananda Road
Pattanagere
Indiranagara
Kengeri Bus Terminal
Halasuru
Kengeri
Trinity
Challaghatta
Mahatma Gandhi Road
Green Line
The Green Line Metro has 29 stations and runs from Nagasandra to Silk Institute. The total length of this route spans 30.37 km. With construction going at a good pace, the Green Line extension from.
Bangalore Metro timings
Namma Metro trains run daily at an interval of 4-20 minutes between 5 am and 11 pm. On second and fourth Saturdays or public holidays, the services commence from 6 am and end at 10:35 pm. Bangalore metro timings for Sundays are 7 am till 11 pm. As per recent estimates, the average ridership of Namma Metro is more than five lakh.
To handle the high flow of passengers from M Chinnaswamy Stadium on the days of the IPL matches, Bangalore metro timings have been extended on April 2, 10, 17, 26 and May 21, 2023. The train services from Baiyappanahalli to Kengeri on Purple Line and Nagasandra to Silk Institute on Green Line will be operational till 1 o’clock at night. The last train from the Majestic Metro Station on Purple and Green line will leave at 1:30 AM in all four directions. The passengers can use their smart cards and QR tickets at normal fares. On the other hand, the paper tickets are available at M.G. Road and Cubbon Park Metro Stations on Purple Line at a cost of Rs 50 for a single journey.
Bangalore Metro fare
The minimum fare is Rs 10, and the maximum is around Rs 43. The fare is charged basis the distance travelled from the boarding station. For instance, on Reach 1, fare from Baiyappanahalli is Rs 9.5 to Swami Vivekananada Road and Rs 42.75 for Mysore Road.
Bangalore Metro App
The Namma Metro App allows users to purchase QR code tickets for a convenient journey. This app is currently working for Android users. Inspired by the ‘One Nation One Card Model’ the government has decided that taxi and auto services will also be available via the digital platform. At present, a ticket booking facility is provided through a chatbot. In a recent update, the Namma Metro App would now allow travellers to buy tickets through apps such as Paytm and Yatra. Moving further, passengers will be able to use these apps to book autos or taxis from the station, making last-mile connectivity easier and faster.
Bangalore Metro Phase 3: Status
On November 17, 2022, the Karnataka government approved two corridors of the Namma Metro under Phase III, which would cover almost 45 km. Of late, the government has approved around Rs 16,328 crore and aims to complete the project by 2028. The Phase 3 project covers 32.15 km of ORR West connecting JP Nagar 4th Phase to Kempapuram, and a 12.50 km stretch on Magadi Road from Hosahalli to Kadabagere.
Details of the metro corridors
The 32.25 km-long corridor will consist of 22 stations with eight interchangeable stations, including two points allowing integration of metro lines with the railway station- BEL Circle and Hebbal.The second corridor will have two interchangeable stations i.e., Hosahalli and Sumanahalli Cross.
The BMRC has also planned to build metro-cum-road corridors at two locations on the line of Marenahalli, i.e., Kankapura Road Junction at ORR (1.3 km) and Kamakya-Ittamadu-Hoskerehalli Junction on ORR (1.5 km).
Namma Metro’s lesser-known details
Some facts about the Bangalore metro that remain unknown by most people are-
It is the first southern metro to have an underground section
Rainwater harvesting is executed along the two metro lines. The water is treated and then supplied as potable water
Smart cards offer a 15 percent discount compared to the standard token fair
System tracks are 1435 mm (standard gauge)
Namma Metro’s impact on Bangalore’s realty market
If one carefully studies the real estate markets in Noida, Delhi, Gurgaon or Hyderabad, metro projects have had a positive impact on real estate demand and prices in nearby areas.
In Bangalore too, Namma Metro has led to a paradigm expansion in realty markets. In the Magadi Road area and Yeshwantpur industrial area, the metro project has heralded a wave of transformation from defunct factories to residential and commercial projects. The stretch from Nagasandra to BIEC is also expected to reap positive results for the city’s realty landscape. Making the commute easier both via road and metro, Nelamangala is rising as homebuyers’ preferred choice for investment.
Pradyumna Mishra, VP – Planning, Procurement and Facilities Management, Sattva Group, shares, “Namma Metro is doing a phenomenal job at bridging the connectivity through all parts of Bangalore city. The impact of the metro on commercial properties is more dominant than on residential properties. Commercial properties witness sharp appreciation in rental prices post commencement of operations of the metro line. Metro has made it convenient to reach locations across the city which previously had lower means of connectivity. Many areas connected to the metro are experiencing a gigantic turnaround in their real estate position. As per an industry study, metro construction leads to a 19 percent hike in land value for commercial properties and 11 percent for residential properties that are within 500 meters of the metro line. The connectivity promised by the Namma Metro has proved to be a game-changer for the real estate market of Bangalore.”
At least five new shopping malls have been constructed along the proposed metro lines, like the Prestige Falcon City, Mantri Square, One MG Mall and Brigade Orion.
Reeza Sebastian, President, Residential Business, Embassy Group, shares, “The Bangalore Metro has been a principal enabler of growth in the city. With phase 2 set to transform the landscape and establish connections to suburban zones, such as North Bangalore and Whitefield, the realty demand in these areas would only go north as transit becomes more accessible. We have already seen a strong appreciation in property prices of 10 percent and above for metro adjacent areas. They are expected to continue to rise by up to 25 percent in the next five years, affecting a wide range of industries, particularly real estate. The real impact of the metro will be visible only when phase 2 is entirely operational, which is likely to increase residential and commercial activity due to the stronger connectivity.”
Next
With reduced traffic congestion, East Bangalore areas like Whitefield would be greatly benefitted from metro connectivity. North Bangalore, which is a developing part of the city, could also see increased interest in its property markets as the metro will link some parts of this region with the airport.
Bangalore Metro: Challenges
Bangalore Metro has had its share of challenges. A portion of the metro is being constructed underground. Tunnelling work for these tracks is being affected by igneous rocks which form the core of land in Bangalore. There have also been problems in regards to effective planning, delay in approvals and monitoring of certain works as per experts. However, around 70 percent of the tunneling work is now complete, and may soon become operational.
The completion of phase 2 in 2024 could be an important milestone for the Namma Metro Project. It will pave the way for the growth of businesses across the city. It will also provide a clean, comfortable and green mode of transport to citizens for travelling across the length and breadth of the city easily.
