Finally, Bangalore all set for metro 1 reach launch (Namma metro)

Namma metro
   Is the under-construction mass-transit rail system for the city of Bangalore, India.The agency responsible for its implementation is the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL). The first stretch between Baiyyappanahalli to M.G. Road is scheduled to be opened on 20 October 2011. The metro is expected to reduce the traffic volume in areas like Majestic (Kempegowda Bus station and Bangalore Railway Station), Sampige Road, Hudson Circle and M.G. Road.
History
Construction work for Phase-1 of the project was scheduled to start in 2005 but was delayed by a February 2006 change of government in the state of Karnataka and continued debate over whether the project was financially feasible and appropriate for the city. Finally, on 25 April 2006 the Indian cabinet approved the project, which was then budgeted at more than 5,400 crore (US$1.2 billion) (Later revised it for 11,609 crore (US$2.59 billion)crore for phase-I). In 2006, Navayuga Engineering was awarded the contract to construct Reach 1 on the East-West line.

The foundation stone for the Phase-1 construction was laid by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on June 24, 2006,
In 2007,extending the length of Phase I network to about 42 km (26 mi), with 40 stations. The objective of this was to connect the Metro to the Outer Ring Road at both ends, as also cover the industrial areas of Peenya in the North-West, thereby providing better connectivity and increasing ridership.In October 2008, the Government of Karnataka approved this extension, which would cost an additional 1,592 crore (US$355.02 million)

Reach	Terminals		Opening/Expected Completion Date
Reach-1 (east)	Byappanahalli	M.G. Road	20 October 2011
Reach-2 (west)	Mysore Road	Magadi Road	August 2012
Reach-3 (north)	Swastik	Yeswanthpur	November 2012
Reach-3A (north)	Yeswanthpur	Peenya Depot	December 2012
Reach-3B (north)	Peenya Village Station	Hessarghatta Cross Station	August 2013
Reach-4 (south)	K.R. Road	R.V. Road	December 2013
Reach-4A (south)	R.V.Road	Puttenahalli	August 2013

Route	Terminals	Length	Stations
■ Line 1	Yelahanka – Electronics City	45.02 km	28
■ Line 1	Puttenahalli – Anjanapura	6.79 km	6
■ Line 2	Mysore Road – Kengeri	7.70 km	8
■ Line 2	Byappanahalli – Whitefield	18 km	17
■ Line 3	IIM-B – Nagavara	24 km	20

Network

Line	Terminals		Scheduled Opening	Length	Stations
1	Baiyyappanahalli	Mysore Road	2013 ( Except from Baiyyappanahalli to MG Road - to be opened very soon )	18.1 km	17
2	Hessaraghatta Road	Puttenahalli	2013	24.2 km	24
Total				42.3 km	41

Finances

The cost of the 42.3-kilometre long Phase I was estimated to be around 11,609 crore. BMRCL received 700 crore from Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO), 250 million from theAsian Development Bank (ADB) and the rest was obtained from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Central Government and the Karnataka State Government.

Phase II is expected to cost around 25,000 crore.

Root Map

Station photos      (click to enlarge)

News

Yeduyurappa sits inside the mock-up coach of Bangalore Metro during its unveiling.

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeduyurappa inside the mock-up engine of Bangalore Metro during its unveiling for the public view.

A window view of traffic and people standing to take a closer look at a Bangalore Metro Rail coach is seen during its first public display inauguration.

A policeman walks past the Bangalore Metro Rail coach during its first public display inauguration on MG Road, Bangalore. The coach, a pre-production public display model, mirrors the production model expected to accommodate some 400 passengers.

Workers ready the mock-up metro coach before its unveiling.

Yeduyurappa speaks to the media from a gate of the mock-up coach of Metro during its unveiling.

People take a closer look inside a Bangalore Metro Rail coach after following its first public display inauguration.