BENGALURU: Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar announced on Wednesday that Bengaluru's metro network would expand significantly, with 175 kilometres of additional metro lines becoming operational by 2026.
At a press conference following an inspection of the newly extended line from Nagasandra to Madavara on Tumkur Road, he said, "Thirty km of new metro lines will be added by 2025, and 175 km of new lines by 2026."
Before addressing the media, he travelled on the metro from Yeshwanthpur to Madavara station, accompanied by MP Tejaswi Surya, Nelamangala MLA Srinivasaiah, and Dasarahalli MLA Muniraju.
"We have completed the first and second phases of the metro, and the Centre has approved the third phase. We have already allocated Rs 1,130 crore for new train sets," he added.
Shivakumar further revealed, "Plans are underway to build a pedestrian skywalk at Manjunathanagar metro station. We have also partnered with Indian Railways to jointly develop a pedestrian passage at Yeshwanthpur railway station. A project report has been prepared to develop an underpass at Chikkabidarakallu in collaboration with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). We are also discussing with NHAI the construction of an underpass at Madavara metro station. Commuters travelling to Bengaluru from the Tumakuru side can park their vehicles at BEIC ground and take the metro into the city, thus avoiding traffic."
"The 3-km metro extension from Nagasandra to Madavara will open to the public on an experimental basis tomorrow. We will invite all MPs and other representatives for an official inauguration at a later date," he stated.
Shivakumar highlighted that the Green Line currently extends 33.46 km, while the Purple Line covers 40.5 km.
"I would like to thank the Centre and all stakeholders who contributed to making this possible. Bengaluru has the highest metro ridership in the country, demonstrating the metro's role in supporting the city's residents," he added.
(With inputs from agency)
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