Namma Metro Phase - 1 dedicated to Bengaluru

Pesident Pranabh Mukherjee launches the underground stretch at Vidhana Soudha However, he did not take a ride in it Commuters can now criss-cross the North and South of Bengaluru in just 45 minutes

At last, the Metro Phase 1 that will connect North and South Bengaluru was finally inaugurated by President Pranabh Mukherjee, here on Saturday.

The Metro Phase 1 which had been a dream of Bengalureans for over a decade will finally be realised from June 18 as the lines will be opened for the public. It has been indeed a decade, for, the foundation stone for Namma Metro was laid by the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in June, 2006. The president formally inaugurated 10.5 km stretch of the Green Line between Mantri Square Sampige Road and Yelachenahalli Metro stations. With this, it will mark the completion of 42.3 km stretch of Phase 1 of Namma Metro.

The Pink and Purple line together stretches up to 42.30 km long line with 42 stations. Commuters will have to interchange at the Kempegowda Majestic station which is touted to be the Asia's biggest underground station. The underground section will link Nagasandra in the northern part of the city with Yelachenahalli in the South Bengaluru. The Phase 1 is expected a footfall of at least five lakh people.

The project has cost Rs 300 crore and the money was raised by floating bonds, which is said to be a first in the history of the Metro in the country.