Metro trial run in Thane likely in September and operations by December: Shinde

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Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Nowhere to sit: Commuters raise concerns over lack of seating at Yellow Line stations in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: Despite the fanfare surrounding the launch of the much-anticipated Yellow Line, a key concern continues to plague commuters — that of inadequate seating arrangements at Metro stations. Commuters say with long wait times between trains and swelling crowds during peak hours, lack of proper seating arrangement poses significant discomfort, especially for elderly passengers and those with health conditions. In a reality check by TOI, many stations have no benches, forcing commuters to stand for extended periods or lean against pillars as the trains run at 25-minute intervals. People were seen sitting on slabs around the pillars. Bommasandra, Ragigguda, Electronic City, Silk Board, and other stations don't have seats. Pradeep Ramareddy, 37, travelling from Bommasandra to RV Road, said: "Even this morning, I noticed how heavily crowded the trains were. Without proper seating arrangements, travelling becomes extremely tiring, especially at the end of a long workday. The platforms don't have any seats, so people are left standing for the entire wait. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Wildlife Cameras Capture The Unthinkable Ohi Blog Undo This isn't a Yellow Line–only issue. Other Metro stations face more or less the same problem — the crowd is simply too large for the facilities available. We understand the service is still in the initial phase and officials are trying their best, but this is a basic need and should be fixed at the earliest." You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Gold Rates Today in Bengaluru | Silver Rates Today in Bengaluru Sulochana S, 62, who was travelling from Jayadeva Hospital to RV Road Metro stations, shared her experience as she was waiting for 20 minutes for a train. She said: "On Wednesday morning, a passenger who himself looked very tired gave me his seat on the slab next to the pillar. I was really grateful. But honestly, seats should be arranged, which is something basic. How can elderly people like me manage otherwise? Standing for long periods, both on the platform and inside the train, is simply not possible at this age. " Shreya Raghavendra, a 26-year-old travelling from Electronics City to Jayadeva Hospital, said: "I reached early today, so I managed to find a slab near a pillar to sit on, but that's just luck. Many who came after me had no choice but to stand. Since the trains take a long time to arrive, people end up perching wherever they can — on ledges, stairs, even near the pillars — while others just stand helplessly." For first-time users, it's a shock that wasn't expected. Hamsini Bhat V, a 20-year-old student and first-time user of the Yellow Line at RV Road Metro station, said: "When I first entered the Metro station, I looked at the wait time. Luckily, it was only 5 minutes. I searched for benches; they were full, and most of the crowd was standing." Another first-time user, Samrudha Varshini, a 21-year-old student, said: "It already took them years to construct the line, and it's sad that they forgot something so basic and simple. The crowd is also very large, it's high time the govt acts on this." KK Sudha Mai, 50, travelling from Jayadeva Hospital to Konanakunte Cross, had to wait for 18 minutes for the train. She said: "I was tired of standing, so when I searched for chairs, there were none. At least in other Metro stations, there were a few. I still can't understand how something important is left unnoticed by officials." BMRCL officials maintained that such teething problems would be addressed soon. 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.


Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Confusion over E-City stations in Bengaluru
After the opening of Yellow Line, the naming of Electronics City and Konappana Agrahara stations has led to confusion. Many argue Electronics City station should have been named Konappana Agrahara, and vice-versa. Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya posted on X: "If you buy a ticket to Konappana Agrahara, you'll get off at Electronics City. So, you would have crossed your intended station one stop before and will also be fined for the same. BMTC at least calls Electronic City 'Electronic City' and Konappana Agrahara 'Konappana Agrahara', but that just means you now need to memorise two different name sets and mentally swap them when switching between Metro and bus. " A BMRCL official said while preparing the DPR for building the Yellow Line, two stations were proposed at Electronics City — the first one was named Electronics City I and the second Electronics City. Subsequently, with the govt's nod, the name of the first station (after Hosa Road) was retained as Electronics City, and the next station was named Konappana Agrahara. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Gold Rates Today in Bengaluru | Silver Rates Today in Bengaluru 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.


News18
3 days ago
- News18
Mumbai Metro-4 Trial Runs From September, Coastal Route In Works: Thane Awaits Traffic Respite
Authorities have confirmed that trial runs for Mumbai Metro-4 will begin in September, with full operations expected to start by the end of this year Thane is witnessing rapid development with several infrastructure projects taking shape. Among them, the Wadala-Ghatkopar-Kasarvadavali Metro Line 4 is moving forward at a steady pace. Authorities have confirmed that trial runs for the metro will begin in September, with full operations expected to start by the end of this year. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed confidence that the long-awaited metro will finally become a reality for Thane residents. He said the upcoming network, which will connect Wadala, Thane, Mira-Bhayander, and Mumbai, will be complemented by an internal metro route within Thane. This, he assured, will play a major role in reducing the city's chronic traffic congestion. Traffic jams have become a daily frustration for Thane's citizens. Ongoing roadworks, construction activity, and the city's growing population have pushed traffic movement to a crawl in several areas. Commuters often spend long hours in transit, with peak-hour gridlocks affecting both local and intercity travel. Officials believe that once the metro begins operations, the shift from road to rail will ease the pressure on Thane's overburdened streets. In addition to the metro, a new coastal route is also in the works. The proposed road will connect Thane directly to the coastline, running from Saket Creek to Ghodbunder Road via Gaimukh and Fountain. It will link with the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway, creating an alternative corridor for vehicles that currently pass through Thane's crowded streets. According to Shinde, this diversion will help channel non-local traffic away from the city and free up space for local commuters. The combination of the metro network and the coastal route is expected to significantly improve connectivity within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. For Thane, these projects represent not just convenience but also a relief from the constant noise, pollution, and delays caused by the current traffic chaos. With the trial run of the metro now just weeks away, residents are hopeful that years of waiting and enduring road congestion will finally pay off. The success of these projects, however, will depend on timely completion, efficient operation, and proper integration with other modes of transport. As the countdown to the September trial run begins, the city is looking forward to a future where travel is faster, smoother, and far less stressful. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.