PM Modi inaugurates Pink Line, travels with Shivakumar after buying Metro tickets
Bengaluru, Nov 13 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the 7.5-km elevated section of Bengaluru Metro's Pink Line between Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere, taking the city's operational Metro network to 103.6 km and placing it second among Indian cities after Delhi.
Following the inauguration, Modi travelled on the newly opened Metro section from Tavarekere to IIMB station, accompanied by Karnataka Governor Dr Sudha Yadav, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya and other dignitaries. In a notable part of the inaugural journey, both Modi and Shivakumar purchased Metro tickets before boarding the train. During the journey, Metro officials briefed the Prime Minister on the route, its infrastructure and operational features.
Modi and Shivakumar also participated in the ceremonial flag-off, with the Prime Minister inviting the Chief Minister to join him during the inauguration. The journey was part of the inaugural programme ahead of the line opening for public use. The 7.5-km elevated stretch, connecting Kalena Agrahara, Tavarekere and other stations in south Bengaluru, will be open to commuters from Saturday at 6 am. The Metro service will initially operate on the newly inaugurated section. The opening of the elevated section takes Bengaluru's Metro network beyond the 100-km mark.
The Pink Line, once fully operational, will cover 21.2 km, connecting Kalena Agrahara in the south to Nagawara in the north. The remaining 13.7-km underground section between Tavarekere and Nagawara is expected to be completed in a subsequent phase. The Karnataka Government's proposal to rename three stations on the newly inaugurated Pink Line has also received approval from the Centre. The proposed changes were made in response to demands from local residents.
The inauguration comes amid growing concerns over Bengaluru's traffic congestion, with the Metro expansion expected to provide commuters in south Bengaluru with an additional public transport option. The city has set a target of expanding its Metro network to around 170 km over the next one-and-a-half years. Work on the Airport-bound Blue Line is also progressing.
The inauguration also saw the participation of senior representatives of the state government, reflecting the official protocol accompanying the Prime Minister's visit. The event comes against the backdrop of differences between the state and Centre over funding and the execution of Metro projects. The expansion of Metro connectivity across the country has grown from 248 km across five cities in 2014 to nearly 1,200 km across 26 cities.
More than one crore people travelled by Metro every day and underlined the role of improved connectivity in reducing commuting time and expanding access to employment and other opportunities. Modi is on a day-long visit to Karnataka, with engagements in Bengaluru and Mysuru. He is scheduled to inaugurate and dedicate development projects worth more than Rs 15,600 crore during the visit.
UNI BDN
