The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation will begin operations from Peenya Industry to Sampige Road from 6 am on March 1. The first stretch between Byappanahalli and MG Road was opened more than two years ago.
The 9.8-km-long section will have 10 stations. The route will pass through Yeshwantpur Industrial Area, Yeshwantpur, Sandal Soap Factory, Mahalakshmi, Rajajinagar, Kuvempu Road and Srirampuram before terminating at Sampige Road.
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy told a press conference on Monday that the average time for commuting between one end to the other would be 18 minutes. The service would be inaugurated at Rajajinagar Metro Station on February 28. “We are expecting close to 1 lakh ridership a day as the route includes a mix of residential, industrial and commercial areas,” he said.
Another three-km stretch linking Jalahalli, Dasarahalli and Nagasandra to Peenya would be completed in three months. The entire north-south line with 25 stations between Nagasandra and Puttenahalli would be completed in nine months. “The east-west corridor linking Kempegowda Station (Majestic) and Magadi Road, which includes an underground section, will be completed in 40 days,” he said.
Launch of services on the new section was delayed several times, and the last deadline of December 2013 could not be met. However, trials began in December for the certification process, and the track has been certified by the Commissioner of Railway Safety for speeds up to 80 km per hour. However, with 10 curves, officials expect the average speed to be 34 km per hour.
Stations on 9.8-km stretch
■ Peenya Industry
■ Peenya
■ Yeshwantpur Industry
■ Yeshwantpur
■ Sandal Soap Factory
■ Mahalakshmi
■ Rajajinagar
■ Kuvempu Road
■ Srirampura
■ Sampige Road
Rs 23 for full trip?
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy Reddy said the fare for the stretch could cost Rs 23. This would have to be approved by the BMRCL board. However, the minimum fare would not go below Rs 10, officials said. For Metro users with smart cards, there would be a 15 per cent discount.