Will Bangalore Metro Run on Dashera on October 6th 2011?
September 15, 2011 – 1:01 pm
For last two weeks I am noticing that Bangalore Metro is making numerous trail runs through out the reach 1 that is Byapannahalli depot to Chinnaswamy stadium. The public inauguration was on card for quite sometime. Ex Karnataka CM Yedurappa declared that Namma Metro will run on Ugadi (April 4th) this year which never happened. But I think as of now, Namma Metro will run only upto MG road as there seems to be no station for cricket stadium. These days you can see the pink shaded coaches of Namma Metro running regularly. I see that MG road, Ulsoor, CMH road, Swami Vivekananda road (old Madras road) stations along with the main depot at Byapannahalli is almost complete. All I see now the finishing touches to be done and office furnitures to be set in. But further work still remains. KH Muniyappa, Union minister of state for railways who also hails from Karnataka said that Bangalore Metro has got all clearences and it is ready for public run by the month end of September. But the Commissioner of Rail Safety (CRS) has asked BMRCL to make some changes and re-apply for permission. However, the Railway board has already approved the start of Namma Metro of Bangalore. This just shows lack of co-ordination between the various government agencies and the general public suffers due to the restrictions put for Namma Metro.
There is a talk that BMRCL will try to get prime minister Manmohan Singh to inaugurate Bangalore Metro. But there is still no clarity on that. Given the state of the work I dont think that Bangalore Metro train will have public run in September. Also, our politicians look for some big or auspicious day for inaugurations. So my hunch is that the inauguration for Bangalore Metro will take place in October and on the day of Dashera or Vijaya Dashami.
But you will encounter the real picture of Bangalore metro only after its inauguration. The toilets have not be installed only on select stations and not all. They will be pay and use. No sitting facility either. Furthermore you will be fined if you overstay at the station.
On fares – you will have to shell out more. Ordinary BMTC bus ticket cost from CMH road to MG road is Rs 8. Wheres on Namma Metro from CMH road (Indiranagar) to MG road you will to pay Rs 12. So they have kept fare of Metro at 1.5 times to the BMTC ordinary bus fare. However if you have Varshik (annual fare card) you will have to pay Rs 10.20 for the same distance. They will also offer smart cards and tokens for the purpose of tickets. Their fare scheme seems to be ok but short distance travel will be little costly. As minimum fare is of Rs 10 (one station to next station).
Bangalore Namma Metro’s toll-free helpline number – 1800 425 12345
