Pink Line ‘inauguration’ video has gone viral
Bengaluru: Amid the inordinate delay in the opening of Pink Line, residents, frustrated with the wait, took matters into their own hands by holding a mock inauguration of the Metro line. A video clip of residents cutting a pink ribbon and holding pink balloons while ‘inaugurating’ the line at Kalena Agrahara station has gone viral on social media.
You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bengaluru | Silver Rate in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Petrol Price in Bengaluru | Diesel Price in Bengaluru | CNG Price in Bengaluru | LPG Price in Bengaluru Stay updated with the latest Bengaluru news.
Srikanth Narasimhan, founder of Bengaluru Navanirmana Party, said, “There has been an inordinate delay in opening the Pink Line. Instead of waiting for VIPs, let the common man inaugurate the line and put the Metro line to use. ” Another resident said, “BMRCL has taken over eight years to construct this line, and is still buying time to open it. People are frustrated with the delay. If BMRCL has received clearance to open the line, it should not wait for the PM, CM, MPs, VIPs and politicians to come and inaugurate it. Common citizens are the real VIPs. The inordinate delay has caused a lot of inconvenience to the general public. People here neither have a good road nor an operational Metro line. Download the TOI App.
Considering the delay in construction of the underground stretch, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) plans to open the 7.5km elevated section from Kalena Agrahara to Tavarekere first. The contract for the section was issued in 2017, with a 2020 deadline for completion of the project. BMRCL set multiple deadlines to open the line, with the recent one being Sept 2026.
In Aug 2021, another contractor was selected to take up the pending construction, but work took years for completion due to various issues. Residents of Bannerghatta Road have been demanding the opening of Pink Line for a long time. The remaining 13km underground section from Dairy Circle to Nagawara is slated to open next year. The elevated section has been delayed by at least six years, at a time when traffic density on Bannerghatta Road has increased manifold. However, BMRCL terminated the deal after the contractor, Simplex Infrastructure, failed to deliver the project as per contractual terms. Many argue that opening only the elevated section will not provide much relief; the entire 21km line should be operational to benefit a larger section of commuters. Residents have also complained that the Bannerghatta Road stretch is in poor condition, with inadequate footpaths along the elevated section of Pink Line.
They demanded that basic infrastructure be improved before the line is opened.