Bangalore: This weekend will be special for the residents of West and North Bangalore when their dream to ride the Namma Metro will become a reality. The 10-km line of Namma Metro Reaches 3 and 3a, between Peenya Industry and Sampige Road Metro Stations, will be thrown open to the people at 6 a.m. on March 1. Minister for Transport and in-charge of Bangalore city R. Ramalinga Reddy told presspersons here on Monday that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will formally launch the services on Friday.

Union Ministers M. Mallikarjun Kharge, M. Veerappa Moily, Oscar Fernandes, K.H. Muniyappa and K. Rahman Khan will take part in it.

While the dignitaries will ride the Namma Metro, after flagging off the services, from Rajajinagar Station till Peenya Industry Station and back to Sampige Road Station, the inaugural function will be held at the Kanteerava Indoor Stadium. On the occasion, the foundation stone for Namma Metro Phase 2, will also be laid, Mr. Ramalinga Reddy said.

Reach 3b between Peenya Industry and Nagasandra (2.5 km) with three stations will be ready for operation in about four months, the Minister said.

Attractive fares

The maximum fare proposed from end to end is Rs. 23, which is to be approved by the board, said Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. Managing Director Pradeep Singh Kharola. The minimum fare would, however, be Rs. 10. The maximum fare will still come down if the commuter uses smart cards availing 15 per cent discount (about Rs. 19), which is comparable with fares on ordinary services of Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Rs. 16), and cheaper than BMTC’s AC Suvarna (Rs. 25) and Vajra (Rs. 45).

Mr. Ramalinga Reddy said that BMRCL is in dialogue with BMTC for feeder services. At the same time, a dedicated shuttle service will be available between Sampige Road Station and Majestic from the first day of commercial run, he said.

As against the minimum 45 minutes taken to reach Sampige Road by road from Peenya Industry, one can complete the journey in air-conditioned comfort in 18 minutes by metro train, said D.D. Pahuja, Director (Operations and Rolling Stock). Each three-car train can ferry 975 passengers at a time and 12 trains are ready for operation between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., he said.