The first phase of the East- West corridor of the Bengaluru Metro, an 18-km path stretching from Byapanahalli to Nayandahalli was inaugurated by Union Minister of Urban Development Venkaiah Naidu and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddharamaiah on Friday evening. Union Minister Ananth Kumar was also present at the event. 

The corridor includes 18.2 km underground stretch, a first of its kind in South India and will cover the distance in 35 minutes. 

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC) which was operating on two separate lines - from Byapanahalli to MG Road and Peenya to Malleswaram, will now be connected to the lines operating from the East-West corridor.

“This will be a game changer. This stretch covers the heart of Bengaluru. People will be able to cut commute times significantly” said Pradeep Singh Kharola, managing director of BMRC. 

The contract for the second phase of the metro project from Nayandahalli to Kengeri has been sanctioned, Home Minister K J George said. Rs 100 crore has been also sanctioned for suburban railway.

The stretch from Byapanahalli to Nayandahalli which will take an average of over two hours to commute via road will now take commuters just 40 minutes to cover the route. The BMRC is expecting at least half a million daily commuters to opt for Bengaluru’s ‘Namma Metro’ over their own vehicles.