Namma Metro Phase I at double the cost and double the time.

After a delay of over five years and double the estimated cost, Phase I of Namma Metro is all set to be completely operationalised on Saturday with the inauguration of the Green Line by President Pranab Mukherjee. The opening of the Green Line also brings the metro convenience to the southern parts of the city.

The 42.3 km Phase I of the project with two corridors – East-West (Purple Line) and North-South (Green Line) – was estimated to cost ₹6,500 crore when work began in 2006 and was set to be completed in 2011. However, as Phase I gets completely operational, the final bill has come to ₹14,405 crore.

Transport experts and traffic police are hoping that completion of Phase I will be a game changer for the city. “For the first time, Namma Metro will become an end-to-end commute option, which we hope will reduce congestion on the roads,” said R. Hitendra, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic).

Namma Metro ridership, which is pegged at an average of 1.75 lakh per day, is expected to rise to 5 lakh, BMRCL officials said.

But is Namma Metro prepared to handle that kind of rider volume? Namma Metro trains may continue to run packed till the middle of next year, as the order that BMRCL has placed for additional coaches is expected to be delivered by June 2018. BMRCL has come under sharp criticism for the delay in placing orders for additional coaches.

THE HINDU