• Source:JND
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Bengaluru Metro: The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has announced an adjustment to its train services, set to take effect from today, Saturday, to address the overcrowding issue on Purple Line.

The metro operator has revealed that it will now be running 15 trains from Majestic station, an increase from the previous 9 trains to provide commuters with a more seamless and comfortable travel experience, particularly during the peak rush hours.

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Of the 15 trains, 10 will run all the way to Pattanduru Agrahara (ITPL), 4 will terminate at Whitefield and 1 will reach as far as Baiyappanahalli. During the morning rush, trains will depart Majestic station at regular intervals, starting from 8:48 am and running up until 11:22 am.

BMRCL announced in a statement that starting from Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Station-Majestic, trains will depart towards the east at 8:48, 8:58, 9:08, 9:18, 9:29, 9:39, 9:50, 10:00, 10:11, 10:21, 10:39, 10:50, 11:00, 11:11, and 11:22 am. Additionally, trains will pass every 3.3 minutes at the station until 10:25 am

To further enhance the service, the BMRCL has also announced that 6 out of the 14 trains currently ending at Garudacharpalya will now be extended to Pattanduru Agrahara (ITPL/Whitefield). This change will ensure that passengers alighting at Garudacharpalya will be able to catch the next train to their eastern destinations within just three-and-a-half minutes.

Additionally, the metro operator has adjusted the evening peak hours, with trains now running every 5 minutes from Baiyappanahalli to Mysuru Road, starting at the earlier time of 4:20 pm instead of the previous 4:40 pm.

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The decision to enhance the Purple Line services comes in the wake of a surge in ridership on the Namma Metro system. In May, the network recorded an all-time high average daily ridership of 7,18,170, with most weekdays seeing over 8 lakh passengers.

According to Deccan Herald report, the BMRCL had previously awarded a Rs 1,578-crore contract to China's state-owned CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co Ltd for the supply of 216 coaches (36 trains), 21 of which were designated for the Purple Line and 15 for the Yellow Line. However, due to India's strained relations with China and CRRC's difficulties in finding an Indian partner to manufacture 204 of these coaches, the BMRCL has yet to receive the trains.

According to the timeline, the CRRC's partner, Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL), is expected to supply the trains for the Yellow Line in August and for the Purple Line early next year.