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Newly appointed BMRCL MD inspects key progress on Bengaluru Airport Metro Line

Newly appointed BMRCL MD inspects key progress on Bengaluru Airport Metro Line

The Hindu2 days ago
The newly appointed Managing Director of the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) J. Ravi Shankar, conducted a detailed inspection of the under-construction Bengaluru Airport Metro Line on Thursday.
This crucial corridor, stretching from Kempegowda International Airport to Hebbal, is part of Phase 2B of Namma Metro. According to a release by BMRCL, the MD reviewed critical infrastructure components, including the viaduct, station buildings, and the upcoming Airport Depot. 'He also reviewed high-priority locations such as railway crossings and cut-and-cover sections near the Indian Air Force premises,' the release stated.
Mr. Shankar instructed engineers and contractors to strictly adhere to the project timeline while ensuring world-class infrastructure and compliance with safety norms. The line is expected to provide a much-needed transit access to North Bengaluru, facilitating travel between the city and the airport, which is around 35 km from the Central Business District(CBD), and helping decongest surrounding traffic.
The line, which is called Blue Line or ORR-Airport Metro Line consists of two sections - Phase-2A (Central Silk Board to Krishnarajapura) and Phase-2B (Krishnarajapura to Airport). Construction of Phase-2A, began in August 2021. Construction of Phase-2B began in February 2022.
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Newly appointed BMRCL MD inspects key progress on Bengaluru Airport Metro Line
Newly appointed BMRCL MD inspects key progress on Bengaluru Airport Metro Line

The Hindu

time2 days ago

  • The Hindu

Newly appointed BMRCL MD inspects key progress on Bengaluru Airport Metro Line

The newly appointed Managing Director of the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) J. Ravi Shankar, conducted a detailed inspection of the under-construction Bengaluru Airport Metro Line on Thursday. This crucial corridor, stretching from Kempegowda International Airport to Hebbal, is part of Phase 2B of Namma Metro. According to a release by BMRCL, the MD reviewed critical infrastructure components, including the viaduct, station buildings, and the upcoming Airport Depot. 'He also reviewed high-priority locations such as railway crossings and cut-and-cover sections near the Indian Air Force premises,' the release stated. Mr. Shankar instructed engineers and contractors to strictly adhere to the project timeline while ensuring world-class infrastructure and compliance with safety norms. The line is expected to provide a much-needed transit access to North Bengaluru, facilitating travel between the city and the airport, which is around 35 km from the Central Business District(CBD), and helping decongest surrounding traffic. The line, which is called Blue Line or ORR-Airport Metro Line consists of two sections - Phase-2A (Central Silk Board to Krishnarajapura) and Phase-2B (Krishnarajapura to Airport). Construction of Phase-2A, began in August 2021. Construction of Phase-2B began in February 2022.

Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport introduces signature fragrance to enhance passenger experience
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time2 days ago

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Unfinished Bengaluru flyover turns into fitness hub, attracts runners, skaters and cyclists
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A delayed infrastructure project in Bengaluru has found a new purpose as a vibrant fitness hub in the last few months, with the city's health buffs reclaiming the unused space for walking, jogging, cycling, and skating. Built at a cost of Rs 449 crore, the Ragigudda flyover in Jayanagar is South India's first double-decker flyover. The flyover connecting Ragigudda to Silk Board junction through a signal-free corridor opened for vehicular traffic in July 2024. However, while the main flyover on one side is operational, the ramps from HSR Layout connecting Ragigudda and BTM Layout, covering a length of 1.37 km, are still under construction, rendering the other part of the flyover non-functional. For the past three or four months, the delay on the part of the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike has turned into an opportunity for the public. 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Many of these kids reside in and around Jayanagar, and Hosur Road was very distant,' says Venkatramaiah. He adds, 'Unlike the usual skating surface, the asphalt prompts skaters to put more effort and strengthens their overall skating performance.' The children skate around 8 km in multiple loops, both ways, starting at 5.15 am and wrapping up by 6.30 am to get ready for school. Vishwas's daughter just joined the academy a few weeks ago. 'The flyover, though unfortunately unopened for traffic, is allowing us to use it rightfully for skating and fitness purposes. Otherwise, we will have to go to far-off places like Hosur Road and sometimes practise on roads with minimal vehicular movement,' he says. Echoing Deshpande's appeal, other parents say the government should restrict vehicular movement for two hours in the morning and allocate time for joggers, walkers and cyclists to use the space. When MP Tejasvi Surya completed a run The unused flyover stretch is also being used by runners. In fact, Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya completed an 8K run on the unopened stretch last Sunday. 'Ironically, the only good to come out of BMRCL and BBMP's delay is that this half-complete flyover has become a popular running, cycling, and skating track. Every morning, you will find hundreds of kids skating, people practising yoga, and walkers enjoying traffic-free peace. It is a powerful reminder that citizens will embrace public spaces if they are made available for active mobility – and if cars are kept out,' Surya said, posting a reel of himself jogging on the corridor on Instagram. 'Across the world, successful cities prioritise people over motor vehicles. Bengaluru, with its year-round mild climate, is uniquely positioned to do this. It may be the only Indian city where walking and cycling can thrive naturally. Instead of wasting resources on more flyovers and tunnel roads, the state government must invest in public transport and reclaim urban spaces for people. A less polluted, more liveable, and happier Bengaluru is not just possible – it's waiting,' he added. Sanath Prasad is a senior sub-editor and reporter with the Bengaluru bureau of Indian Express. He covers education, transport, infrastructure and trends and issues integral to Bengaluru. He holds more than two years of reporting experience in Karnataka. His major works include the impact of Hijab ban on Muslim girls in Karnataka, tracing the lives of the victims of Kerala cannibalism, exploring the trends in dairy market of Karnataka in the aftermath of Amul-Nandini controversy, and Karnataka State Elections among others. If he is not writing, he keeps himself engaged with badminton, swimming, and loves exploring. ... Read More

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