Bengaluru: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai flagged off 7.5km extended Mysuru Road-Kengeri purple line metro services on Sunday.

According to BMRCL officials, the travel time between Mysuru Road and Kengeri is expected to be around 15 minutes in the new stretch. The extended purple line is expected to benefit 75,000 commuters daily.

Speaking at the event, the Union Minister said, “Bengaluru is one of the major engines of economic growth for the entire country, with strong presence in information technology, biotechnology and applied sciences research. The city accounts for nearly 38% of total IT exports from the country. The Inauguration of the Western Extension Metro Line today is a step towards enabling faster commute and smart mobility options in the City.”

With six stations – Nayandahalli, Rajarajeshwarinagar, Jnanabharathi, Pattengere, Kengeri Bus Terminal, and Kengeri – on the extended Purple Line, operations on this stretch were initially scheduled to be started in 2020. Officials said that the delay was caused by the second wave of Covid-19 and the unavailability of workers due to the pandemic.

The 18.22 km purple line initially connected Baiyyappanahalli in the east with Mysore Road in the southwest. The Line passes through prime activity centres of the city (MG Road, Majestic, Railway Station, Vidhana Soudha etc.).

Travel time between Mysuru Road and Kengeri is expected to be around 15 minutes in the new stretch. A passenger will have to pay Rs 56 to travel between Baiyappanahalli and Kengeri –– the two stations located at different ends of the Purple Line.