Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has faced criticism from commuters, particularly those travelling towards Whitefield, following the introduction of additional loop trains that terminate prematurely at Garudacharpalya instead of extending to their intended destinations during peak hours.
This move has caused inconvenience and frustration among passengers who must disembark and wait for subsequent trains, compounding congestion issues at key interchange stations. The decision to introduce 15 loop trains from Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Station-Majestic to Pattanduru Agrahara (ITPL), with a significant number terminating at Garudacharpalya, was aimed at managing increasing passenger demands towards the east and easing congestion at Majestic interchange.
However, Whitefield-bound commuters have voiced dissatisfaction, citing prolonged waiting times and overcrowded conditions during peak travel hours. P C Mohan, Member of Parliament for Bangalore Central, expressed concerns over the impact on daily commuters, stressing the inconvenience caused by the need to switch trains midway to reach their destinations. He urged BMRCL to promptly address these operational challenges to improve commuter experience and efficiency.
Commuters shared their experiences of extended travel times and logistical adjustments due to the altered metro routes. Many highlighted the impracticality of deboarding at Garudacharpalya, only to face overcrowded conditions on subsequent trains, leading to delays in reaching workplaces and other commitments. Maheshwar Rao, Managing Director of BMRCL, defended the loop train strategy as necessary to accommodate the overwhelming influx of passengers and maintain operational efficiency. He acknowledged commuter grievances and outlined ongoing efforts to enhance service frequency and expand rolling stock capacities by May 2025.
As Bengaluru continues to grapple with urban mobility demands, especially along the popular purple line connecting east and west corridors, stakeholders underscore the importance of strategic planning and infrastructure investments to alleviate commuter hardships and ensure seamless metro operations. The BMRCL’s approach to managing loop trains amidst rising commuter volumes underscores ongoing efforts to optimize service delivery while addressing critical infrastructure gaps in one of India’s fastest-growing urban centres.
