Bengaluru, August 20, 2024 – Namma Metro has achieved a new milestone, recording a peak ridership of 9.17 lakh commuters in a single day. However, the surge in passenger numbers has led to significant challenges, including overcrowding, safety issues, and inappropriate behavior on the Purple Line.

Key Challenges:

  • Overcrowding: Since the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) extended the Purple Line to Baiyappanahalli and Whitefield in October 2023, overcrowding has worsened. Initially confined to peak hours, the issue now persists throughout the day. Commuters like Vicky (name changed) report skipping multiple trains due to overcrowding.
  • Safety Concerns: The high passenger volume has led to increased incidents of inappropriate behavior. Commuters, including Priya William and Preethi G B, have reported cases of harassment and unwanted physical contact. Rajesh (name changed) experienced inappropriate behavior and confrontations during his commute.
  • Inadequate Security: Reports indicate that security staff often fail to manage the overcrowding effectively, sometimes encouraging more passengers to board packed trains, exacerbating the issue.

BMRCL’s Response and Future Plans:

  • Additional Trains: BMRCL plans to add 21 new trains to the Purple Line, expected to arrive by 2025. The goal is to alleviate the overcrowding, but current platforms may not accommodate additional coaches, limiting the effectiveness of this solution.
  • Temporary Measures: While additional trains are anticipated to improve conditions, Ashwin Mahesh, an urban expert, suggests that this is a temporary fix. He advocates for a comprehensive transport planning committee to address long-term issues and integrate metro development with improvements in the bus network, footpaths, and overall urban mobility.

Community Impact:

The significant rise in metro ridership has highlighted the need for enhanced safety measures and better infrastructure planning to ensure that Namma Metro remains a viable and secure mode of transport for Bengaluru’s growing population.

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