Yellow Line boosts Namma Metro ridership past one million mark
To enhance commuter convenience, Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has introduced feeder bus services along the Yellow Line. Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy flagged off the service on Tuesday. The new network operates on four feeder routes with 12 buses making 96 trips daily, connecting six metro stations including Hosur Road, Beretena Agrahara, Electronic City, Infosys Foundation, Konappana Agrahara, Hebbagodi, and Bommasandra.
Across the city, BMTC operates hundreds of feeder buses on 45 routes from major metro stations, including KR Puram Railway Station, running over 2,750 trips daily and serving more than 1.2 lakh passengers. Commuters can now access live tracking, schedules, and related updates for these buses via QR codes placed at metro stations and inside trains.
Officials have attributed Monday's spike in Namma Metro ridership to the long-awaited launch of the Yellow Line, which had been delayed for over four years. The 19.15-km Yellow Line corridor, part of Phase 2 of the Metro project and built at a cost of ₹7,160 crore, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. The new line connects RV Road to Bommasandra, with 16 stations along the route, passing through key commercial and IT hubs. According to BMRCL, the Yellow Line is expected to ease traffic congestion in Bengaluru's southern corridor.
With this addition, the city's total Metro network now spans 96 km. BMRCL estimates that daily ridership could soon reach 12.5 lakh passengers.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
9 minutes ago
- Time of India
PM Modi calls for self-reliance in space sector; industry sees growth ahead
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the occasion of the 79th Independence Day, said India is working towards becoming self-reliant in the space sector and preparing for the launch of Gaganyaan, its indigenous human space flight mission."India is actively working on the Gaganyaan mission and is also planning its own space station. We must come together to change the destiny of our country. I appeal to the youth: step forward and contribute to this mission of national transformation," Modi said from the Red Fort on Gaganyaan mission will send a crew of three astronauts into a 400 km orbit for a three-day mission in 2027. Modi also congratulated astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on his historic mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The PM highlighted the impact of space sector reforms , with about 300 startups working exclusively in the space domain, employing thousands of young leaders welcomed the remarks, saying the momentum could help achieve the target of a $44 billion space economy by ISRO chairman S Somanath, who spearheaded the 2023 space reforms through the Indian Space Policy, told ET that PM Modi 's comments underline how the sector is 'not just creating jobs and economic value but also promoting the scientific temper.' He said ISRO, IN-SPACe , and NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) are working in unison with startups to expand both domestic and global India's plan to build its own Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS) by 2035, Somanath said the project, using indigenous technology, would promote global scientific partnerships and serve as a space laboratory for hi-tech, biotechnology, drug discovery, and materials research.'Without the credibility of an indigenous human space mission, meaningful contributions to other space stations may not be possible. The BAS will complement the entire ecosystem, with opportunities for collaboration with other nations,' he body, the Indian Space Association (ISpA), said the plan to open up India's space sector has been a true game-changer. 'Backed by progressive reforms such as the Space Policy, liberal foreign direct investment push, and strong government support, the industry has grown multifold in just five years,' added Lt. Gen. AK Bhatt (retd.), Director General, Acharya, cofounder of Suhora Technologies, which works in earth observation and geospatial analytics, said the PM's remarks will further empower the industry to innovate across the value chain from satellite manufacturing and launches to downstream services.
Mint
9 minutes ago
- Mint
Modi's clarion call for swadeshi, GST relief, and stronger security shield in longest I-Day speech
New Delhi: Over 103 minutes of exhortation – the longest on record by any Prime Minister in independent India – Narendra Modi used his 12th Independence Day address to urge citizens to make a decisive shift towards swadeshi (local) products, framing it as a shield against global supply chain disruptions, tariff wars, and shifting geopolitical alliances. Speaking from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 78th anniversary of India's independence, Modi outlined a roadmap that tied together increased domestic manufacturing, sweeping indirect tax reforms, and a strengthened national security architecture under the Sudarshan Chakra mission, as he looked to deliver a strong response to several challenges the country has been facing in recent months. 'If the sacrifices of crores of people can lead to an independent India, then the decisiveness, self-reliance, and choice of swadeshi products can lead to a prosperous India,' the Prime Minister said, urging traders to prominently display and market locally made products. Modi's address, reflecting themes of 'New India' and 'Nation First', also included measures to improve ease of doing business, along with plans to curb illegal immigration. Self-reliance was essential to insulating the economy from external disruptions, Modi said. 'Self-reliance is not just about exports, imports, the rupee, or the dollar. It is about our capabilities, our strength to stand on our own,' Modi said. 'The'daam kam, dum zyada' mantra projects India's resolve to compete globally while insulating its economy from external shocks,' said Ajay Sahai, director-general of Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO). The PM's address comes in the backdrop of several geopolitical challenges – including punitive 50% tariffs announced by the US on Indian exports to that country for continuing to buy Russian oil, a standoff in India's trade deal talks with the US, and China's restrictions on exports of critical raw materials for Indian manufacturing, among others. In a parallel, significant move to revive slack domestic consumption, Modi said the central government is working with states to reform the goods and services tax (GST) and bring significant relief to people. 'In this Deepavali, you will be getting a double Deepavali,' he said. Noting that GST has lowered the tax burden nationwide, he said it was now time for a review after eight years. A high-powered committee has reviewed the GST regime and the central government has consulted states, the Prime Minister said. 'We are bringing the next generation of GST reforms. This will be a gift to you. By this Deepavali, tax will be reduced in the case of commonly used items in a big way. It will also benefit small businesses. With that, the economy will also benefit,' Modi said. Meanwhile, a finance ministry statement on Friday said that the GST reform will include the removal of two GST slabs, correction of inverted duty structures to align input and output tax rates, streamline rate structures, minimise disputes, and reduce the compliance burden. The reforms will also include rate rationalisation to make household items more affordable to boost consumption. That means the GST regime is set to have only two slabs – standard and merit – with only a few items under special rates, the finance ministry statement said. Krishan Arora, partner at Grant Thornton Bharat, said GST rate structure rationalisation has been on the cards for a while now. 'With the announcement from the Prime Minister, it seems the rate fitment work is complete and one could expect the rate rejig of items of daily consumption falling in 12% to 5%, which could help not only reduce end-product prices but also boost consumption and demand, especially for MSMEs,' Arora said. The GST move follows a significant personal income tax relief to individuals in this year's Union budget, and the RBI lowering the benchmark repo rate by 100 basis points so far this year to stimulate economic growth. Saurabh Agarwal, partner at EY India, said the Prime Minister's vision for GST 2.0 is a timely and strategic move to build a resilient Indian economy. 'These are not merely procedural changes, they are essential structural reforms designed to mitigate the risks arising from global trade tensions,' said Agarwal. 'It is expected that this Diwali, items of mass consumption by the common man will be brought into the lower slab of 5% GST,' said Vivek Jalan, partner at Tax Connect Advisory Services LLP, giving an example of small ₹ 10 sachets supplied by FMCG companies. He added that GST on autism centres, and on new-age goods like drones, which are now extensively used in warfare, should be reduced to 5%. 'Also, GST on parts of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, now 28%, should be reduced to 18%, removing inverted duty structure and corresponding inefficiencies in the GST System,' he added. Mint had reported about the GST overhaul on Thursday. Even while expressing his desire to see an indigenous engine on an Indian fighter jet, Modi called for greater investment in domestic manufacturing to withstand global supply chain shocks and tariff disputes, and stressed the importance of ensuring a robust flow of raw materials for the manufacturing sector. He called for increased research and development funding, semiconductor chips made in India, as well as local electric vehicle batteries. Modi also said India would bolster private sector investments in new energy sectors such as nuclear energy generation. Sankalp Gurjar, professor of geopolitics at Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, said the semiconductor industry is a new battleground between major powers, and India has been making efforts to build a domestic semiconductor ecosystem. 'China has used its dominance in sectors like rare earth minerals processing as a geoeconomic tool,' Gurjar said. 'For India, China is a strategic challenge. However, given the unpredictable policies of Donald Trump, China and India may perhaps find some areas of collaboration.' In his address, Modi unveiled a new national security strategy under the Sudarshan Chakra mission to create a security shield against national security threats. With rapid advancements in defence technology, India needs to widen its security response after the recent victory in Operation Sindoor, the PM said. 'We need to constantly upgrade defence technology,' he said. 'That is why, in the next 10 years till 2035, a new technological platform shield will be used to secure key public places in the country including hospitals, railways, and places of worship,' said Modi. The shield will be widened to cover as many locations as possible to make the population feel secure, and will be modernized to counter any technological threat to the country. To be sure, during Operation Sindoor in May, India's advanced defence systems had successfully thwarted Pakistani drone attacks. Operation Sindoor, where Indian forces attacked and destroyed terrorist targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, was India's response against the 22 April Pahalgam terrorist attack, which left 26 individuals dead. The PM reiterated that India will not be bullied by nuclear threats, and not distinguish between terrorists and terrorist-sponsoring governments. 'While this stance was asserted soon after Op Sindoor, the Red Fort reference can be seen as a nuanced response to the more recent nuclear sabre-rattling by field marshal Asim Munir,' said commodore (retired) Chitrapu Uday Bhaskar, director at Society for Policy Studies. 'The inference is that Delhi may review and revise its NFU (no-first-use) nuclear doctrine to address new WMD-terrorism challenges.' WMD is short for weapons of mass destruction. Modi also announced measures to guard against demographic shifts in India caused by illegal immigration. 'The demography of the country is being changed by a planned conspiracy. Illegal immigrants are stealing Indian livelihoods, targeting Indian women. This will not be tolerated,' said Modi. He added that illegal immigrants are also capturing tribal land. Changing demographics, especially in border regions, is a threat to national security and unity and peace in the country, said Modi. 'We have decided to start a high-powered demography mission. The mission will address this looming threat of illegal immigration in a well-thought out manner in due time,' he said. PM Modi also continued his drive against reducing obesity in the country. He has previously spoken about the issue in his Mann Ki Baat addresses. Mint reported on Friday that India is planning to further reduce sugar in baby food.
Mint
24 minutes ago
- Mint
From Missile Shields to Jet Engines: PM Modi's defence roadmap puts sector back in focus
Defence stocks could remain on investors' radar after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 12th consecutive Independence Day address, announced 'Mission Sudarshan Chakra,' an indigenous missile defence shield, and renewed his call for homegrown jet engines, signalling a fresh push for self-reliance in critical military technologies. The announcement of 'Sudarshan Chakra' came days after Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir reportedly hinted at targeting Indian assets along the border, including Reliance Industries Limited's Jamnagar refinery in Gujarat, in the event of any future military confrontation between the two neighbouring countries. Announcing the launch of the new defence system, Modi said it will be aimed at neutralising enemy threats and enhancing India's offensive capabilities. The defence sector has been receiving a significant boost in recent years due to escalating geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region and along India's borders with China and Pakistan. During 'Operation Sindoor,' India showcased the strength of its indigenously developed defence systems and successfully intercepted drones and missiles launched by Pakistan. Modi's announcements further highlight India's commitment to producing critical military technologies entirely within the country and exporting them globally to friendly nations. "In the next ten years, by 2035, I want to expand, strengthen, and modernise this national security shield. Drawing inspiration from Lord Shri Krishna, we have chosen the path of the Sudarshan Chakra," PM Modi said at the ramparts of the iconic Red Fort. "The nation will be launching the Sudarshan Chakra Mission, and the entire modern system should be researched, developed, and manufactured in India, harnessing the talent of our youth. This powerful system will not only counter terrorist attacks but also strike back at the terrorists," he added. This mission aims to develop a Dome-like defence system designed to safeguard critical sites, including civilian areas. Though the prime minister did not elaborate on the new air-defence system, experts said it could be on the lines of Israel's Iron Dome all-weather air-defence system, known as a highly effective missile shield. Modi further urged the youth of the country to develop jet engines within India, adding, "Today, I urge the young scientists, talented youth, engineers, professionals, and all departments of the Government that we should have our jet engines for our own Made in India fighter jets." His emphasis on developing an indigenous jet engine also assumes significance as it came amid some hitch in sealing a deal between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and US defence major GE Aerospace to jointly produce a jet engine to power the next generation of India's combat aircraft. GE Aerospace has faced delays in delivering its jet engines to HAL, which in turn has pushed back the aerospace company's handover of Tejas fighter jets to the Indian Air Force. India began work on an indigenous jet engine nearly 35 years ago under the Kaveri engine programme. Sanctioned by the Cabinet Committee on Security in 1989, the project was intended to power the country's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). However, the engine is still not ready for operational use. The annual defence production has soared to an all-time high figure of ₹ 1.5 lakh crore in the FY25. The milestone represents a robust 18% growth over the previous fiscal's output of ₹ 1.27 lakh crore, and a staggering 90% increase since FY 2019-20, when the figure was ₹ 79,071 crore. India's domestically manufactured defence products are also gaining global traction, with exports also reaching a record high of ₹ 23,622 crore in FY 2024–25. The government now aims to achieve annual defence exports worth ₹ 50,000 crore by 2029, further expanding its global footprint. Orders for the BrahMos missile surged after it played a crucial role in Operation Sindoor, targeting Pakistani military infrastructure, including air bases, army cantonments, and terror camps. (With inputs from PTI, ANI) Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.
