Rs 7,610 crore and eight years later: Yellow Line set to ease Bengaluru's techie and commuter crunch; All we know
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Namma Metro Yellow Line from Ragigudda to Bommasandra today. Passenger services start Monday at 5 am with trains every 25 minutes. The 19.1km elevated corridor, with 16 stations, links south Bengaluru to Electronics City. BMTC will launch 12 feeder buses, while BMRCL is adding EV charging stations, e-bike services, and improved pedestrian access. Costing ₹7,610 crore, the project was sanctioned in 2014, began in 2017, and faced an eight-year delay before completion.
Agencies Bengaluru Yellow Line Bengaluru's long-awaited Yellow Line of Namma Metro will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today. The 19.1km elevated stretch runs between RV Road and Bommasandra, linking the city's southern neighbourhoods to the Electronics City IT hub through 16 stations. Passenger services will begin at 5 am on Monday with three trainsets operating every 25 minutes in the opening phase.The Prime Minister will travel by metro from Ragigudda station to Infosys Foundation–Konappana Agrahara station. He will be joined by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, and several Members of Parliament.
A Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) source explained the change in starting point for the inaugural ride. 'Though the Yellow Line network starts at RV Road Interchange, VIPs using the station would result in causing inconvenience to Metro passengers using the operational Green Line. Security concerns will force closure of RV Road station, which is not advisable. In public interest, an inaugural event has been planned from Ragigudda station and PM Modi will board the train there,' the official said.After the ride, the Prime Minister will take part in an inaugural event at the International Institute of Information Technology Bengaluru (IIITB) campus, where industry leaders are expected to be present.Sanctioned in 2014 as part of Phase II of Namma Metro, the Yellow Line faced multiple delays before work began in 2017. The ₹7,610 crore project cost works out to roughly ₹400 crore per kilometre.
The line will initially run with three trainsets. Once 15 trainsets are in service, peak-hour frequency will improve to five minutes, and with 41 trainsets by March 2026, intervals could be as short as two minutes.Trains will start in semi-automated mode with supervision before moving towards full automation.The corridor connects RV Road in the north to Bommasandra in the south, with stops including Jayadeva Hospital (Pink Line interchange), Central Silk Board (Blue Line interchange), BTM Layout, Bommanahalli, Electronics City, and Hebbagodi.RV Road will become Bengaluru's second major interchange hub after Kempegowda station, with a built-up area of 15,558 sqm. Current Green Line ridership is about 17,000 daily, a figure expected to grow with the Yellow Line's integration.To help passengers complete their journeys, BMTC will introduce 12 feeder buses from Monday. Two buses will link Bommasandra and Konappana Agrahara every 30 minutes, and eight will run from Electronics City to Kodathi on two routes, operating at 30 to 60-minute intervals.'We have held discussions with BMRCL, the Electronics City Industries Association, and the Electronics City Industrial Township Authority to understand the requirements for feeder buses. As the number of trains on the Yellow Line grows, we will also add feeder buses as per passenger frequency,' said Ramachandran R, Managing Director, BMTC.While BMTC aims to connect all Yellow Line stations, separate dedicated feeder buses for each stop are not considered feasible. 'Instead, depending on the number of commuters, we will reroute existing buses to pass through these stations. The multi-utility of our resources is important,' Ramachandran added.BMRCL's Last-Mile Cell is partnering with companies such as Honda and Sun Mobility to set up EV charging stations along the route. A senior official from the Cell said, 'This way, people can also use e-bike services to get to the station. We are prioritising EV mobility.'Plans are also in place to improve footpaths, connecting roads, and auto stands at stations, with Namma Yatri working alongside BMRCL to integrate metro and auto travel for smoother commutes.With the Prime Minister also scheduled to inaugurate the new Vande Bharat Express to Belagavi from KSR Bengaluru station today, South Western Railway has announced temporary changes. Some services will short-terminate at Bengaluru Cantonment, Kengeri, or Yeshwantpur. Delays are also expected, and passengers have been advised to use the front-side entry to reach all platforms.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
18 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Centre approves ₹8K-crore for Arunachal hydroelectric project
New Delhi The Union cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved ₹8146.21 crore for a 700 MW hydroelectric project, Tato-II, in Arunachal Pradesh's Shi Yomi district, a move that comes weeks after China began construction of what is set to be the world's largest river dam on the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra river. Centre approves ₹ 8K-crore for Arunachal hydroelectric project The project will be implemented by a joint venture between the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd, a central public-sector company, and the state government. It will take an estimated six years to build, a statement said. The Centre will additionally give ₹458.79 crore for constructing roads, bridges and transmission lines, apart from assistance of ₹436.13 crore towards equity share of the state. Arunachal Pradesh's cabinet had in May approved five mega hydropower projects in Shi Yomi, which borders China, towards the middle northern part of the state. The five projects – Heo, Hirong, Naying, Tato I, and Tato II – would have a total capacity of 2,626 megawatts of electricity. 'On behalf of the people of Arunachal Pradesh, I convey our heartfelt gratitude to Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji for approving the 700 MW Tato-II Hydroelectric Project with an investment of ₹8146.21 crore in Shi Yomi district,' Arunachal chief minister Pema Khandu said in a Facebook post soon after the Centre's decision. The state government has tasked a panel with modifying the State Hydro Power Policy, 2008, as well as the Local Area Development Fund Guidelines, 2022 to ramp up hydropower projects. About 49% of India's hydropower potential is said to be in Arunachal Pradesh. Last month, Chinese Premier Li Qiang presided over a ceremony marking the start of construction on the $167-billion dam on Yarlung Tsangpo river in Tibet, according to reports in China's state-run media. The Motuo hydropower station is set to overtake the Three Gorges dam as the world's largest, sparking concerns in India over its potential impact on the Brahmaputra. The project has drawn criticism for its potential impact on the environment of Tibet and on millions of people in India and Bangladesh. These concerns could spur India to fast-track another multipurpose dam in Arunachal Pradesh, known as the Siang Upper multipurpose storage project, to act as a buffer against sudden changes in the flows of the Siang and Brahmaputra rivers, people familiar with the matter had said last month. However, indigenous Adi tribal inhabitants of the region have protested the proposed Upper Siang project, fearing loss of livelihoods and displacement. The Chinese dam is located around a 'great bend' on the Yarlung Tsangpo river, which is known in India as the Brahmaputra, a lifeline for Assam. The Siang, which flows through Arunachal Pradesh, is the Brahmaputra's main tributary that connects it to the YarlungTsangpo. The Tato-II project would benefit the state by yielding 12% free power and another one per cent towards Local Area Development Fund, Union information and broadcasting minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
The wait ends: Lucknow gets new Metro corridor, will ease traffic in Old City area
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday approved Rs 5,801 crore for a new 11-km corridor of Lucknow Metro, which has been pending for over six years. The East-West Corridor with 12 stations – 7 underground and 5 elevated – will connect Charbagh to Vasant Kunj and cover the most densely populated Old City area of the state Capital. This metro network will not only ease traffic congestion on the narrow roads of the Old City of Lucknow, but will also provide smooth connectivity to places like Chowk and Aminabad and historical tourist destinations such as Bada and Chhota Imambaras, Rumi Darwaza, Clock Tower, and Moosa Bagh. Thanking the Prime Minister for approving the project, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the decision will not only streamline the Capital's traffic system, but also open new avenues for employment, tourism, and investment. 'The project will elevate Lucknow to new heights by expanding its economic, social, and business infrastructure,' he added. The project will be implemented by the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC), which is a joint venture of the Union government and the Uttar Pradesh government. The estimated time for completion of the new corridor is five years. Once operational, the new corridor, also called Phase-1B, will extend Lucknow's active Metro network to 34 km, linking key commercial hubs such as Aminabad, Yahiyaganj, Pandeyganj, and Chowk. It will also improve access to major healthcare institutions like King George Medical University and old city areas known for their rich heritage and culinary culture. By easing congestion on the busiest routes of old Lucknow, the Metro will reduce travel time with improved connectivity to the Amausi airport, Charbagh railway station, and bus terminals. The 11.165-km corridor will comprise 4.286 km of elevated and 6.879 km of underground sections. It will integrate with the existing North-South Corridor (Phase 1-A) at Charbagh, which will function as an interchange station, facilitating seamless transfers for commuters between the two corridors. The stations on the new corridor are Charbagh (underground), Gautam Budh Road (underground), Aminabad (underground), Pandeyganj (underground), City Railway Station (underground), Medical Chauraha (underground), Chowk (underground), Thakurganj (elevated), Balaganj (elevated), Sarfarazganj (elevated), Moosabagh (elevated), and Vasant Kunj (elevated). 'This new corridor will strengthen access to Old Lucknow's rich cultural heritage, cuisine, tourism destinations, and employment hubs for those living in newer parts of the city,' said Sushil Kumar, the Managing Director of UPMRC Limited. A senior UPMRC official said the process of floating tenders will begin very soon. 'The UPMRC has already undertaken significant groundwork and compiled essential research data for the corridor,' the official said. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the East-West Corridor was approved by the Uttar Pradesh government in March 2024, while the clearance from the Network Planning was granted on July 9, 2024. It was recommended by the Public Investment Board in May 2025. As of now, the Phase 1-A or North-South Corridor of the Lucknow Metro is operational, connecting the CCS Airport to Munshi Pulia, a distance of 22.87km. The corridor started in 2019 and has a total of 21 stations.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Union Cabinet approves 2 semiconductor projects worth Rs 4,009cr for Odisha
Bhubaneswar: Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved two major semiconductor manufacturing units worth Rs 4,009 crore for Odisha. The two projects, to be set up in Bhubaneswar's Info Valley, will generate thousands of high-skilled jobs, catalyse electronics manufacturing and help place Odisha on the global semiconductor map, sources said. The two manufacturing units will be built by SiCSem and 3D Glass. Given the growing demand for semiconductors in telecom, automotive, data centres, consumer electronics and industrial electronics, the newly approved projects will significantly contribute to creating an ' Atmanirbhar Bharat ', official sources said. Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Cabinet's approval, chief minister Mohan Majhi said in an X post, "The recent amendment of the Odisha Semiconductor Manufacturing and Fabless Policy, aimed at enhancing investment viability, competitiveness, and sustainability, together with this significant Cabinet approval, marks a major milestone in the state's industrial and technological advancement. I look forward to continued partnership between the state and central govts to further this strategic initiative for the comprehensive development of Odisha and the nation." SiCSem Pvt Ltd, in collaboration with UK-based Clas-SiC Wafer Fab Ltd, will set up India's first commercial compound semiconductor fabrication facility here. The plant will manufacture silicon carbide (SiC) devices, known for their efficiency in high-power applications, with an annual capacity of 60,000 wafers and 96 million packaged units. The SiC devices will have applications across critical sectors, including missiles, defence equipment, electric vehicles (EVs), railway, fast chargers, data centre racks, consumer appliances and solar power inverters. The facility is expected to give India a strategic edge in producing next-generation power electronics domestically. The second project, by US-headquartered 3D Glass Solutions Inc (3DGS), will introduce the world's most advanced semiconductor packaging technology. The unit will manufacture glass interposers, silicon bridges and 3D heterogeneous integration (3DHI) modules. The component are crucial for miniaturisation, high performance and energy efficiency in electronics. With a planned capacity of about 69,600 glass panel substrates, 50 million assembled units, and 13,200 3DHI modules annually, the facility will cater to applications in defence, high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, RF and automotive electronics, photonics and co-packaged optics. Officials said the two projects will not only bring cutting-edge technology to Odisha but also create a ripple effect in the state's electronics ecosystem, encouraging ancillary industries and boosting technical skill development. Apart from two Odisha projects, the Cabinet also approved one project each for Punjab and Andhra Pradesh under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM). Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan hailed the Cabinet's decision to set up the two units in Odisha. He said the decision is a pivotal moment for the state, emphasising its potential to create jobs and generate substantial revenue. Pradhan expressed his gratitude to the PM and highlighted that this move marks a new chapter in the 'Purvodaya' mission. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
