Namma Metro’s daily ridership is scaling new heights after the entire Purple Line was made operational, integrating the tech corridor of Whitefield into the network of the rapid mass transit system in the rest of the city.
While commuters are happy with the new connectivity, jam-packed carriages have left many wondering why the authorities are not increasing the frequency of the operations.
On Friday, Namma Metro clocked more than 7.5 lakh riders, 50,000 more than Wednesday’s figures, with 78,880 passengers travelling on the Byappanahalli-Kadugodi (Whitefield) stretch alone.
With many readers raising questions on when will the frequency of trains be increased, TOI took up the issue with Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). “We want to have more trains running at frequent intervals, but are currently not in a position to do so,” BMRCL MD Anjum Parvez told TOI.
Shortage of rakes (coaches) is being cited as the biggest challenge now. BMRCL has 57 train sets (each of six cars). Out of these, 30 are being operated on the Purple Line and 22 on Green Line.
“With the available fleet of Metro trains, we cannot increase the frequency of services. Once we induct new trains, we will be able to operate trains at a frequency of 3 minutes on both the lines,” Parvez added.
“Our focus has been to clear the rush at the Majestic interchange station. During the morning rush hours, we are running loop trains at three-minute intervals between Majestic and MG Road,” the official said. On Friday, 1.4 lakh passengers used Majestic to change trains.
BMRCL is currently running trains at 5-to-10 minute intervals, but many passengers argue that during peak hours, the wait time often gets longer.
Four years ago, BMRCL had awarded a tender to China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) for 216 coaches. However, multiple factors, including the Covid pandemic and with CRRC asking for more time to tie up with local manufacturers for production of coaches under the Make-in-India policy, have hit induction of new trains.
BMRCL is expected to receive two new train sets from China in a month’s time. The delay in induction of new trains has also impacted the opening of Yellow Line (RV Road-Bommasandra stretch).
