Bangalore Metro Purple Line: Connecting the City Seamlessly
Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka, is a bustling IT destination that draws a large number of working professionals every year. Several localities, such as Whitefield, Mysuru Road, and Kengeri, are established employment hubs in the city. With the introduction of the Bangalore metro purple line, these localities have become easily accessible. On October 9, 2023, The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) opened the purple line, connecting Challaghatta to Kadugodi (Whitefield). The two missing sections, spanning 2.1-km Baiyappanahalli-KR Puram and 2.05-km Kengeri-Challaghatta, completed the 43.49-km purple line route. Phase I of the purple line was the first underground metro stretch to be opened in South India. Bangalore Metro network is set to become the second-largest metro network in India, covering 72.85 km, after the 350.2-km Delhi Metro Network.
Purple Line Metro Bangalore: Route Details
The purple line, which connects the eastern and western parts of the city, comprises 37 stations. It takes around 80 minutes to cover the total distance. The metro line route passes through several important commercial hubs and landmarks, including MG Road and Vidhana Soudha. The purple metro line in Bangalore starts from Challaghatta in the southwest and ends at Whitefield in the east. It has three interchange stations for other metro lines – MG Road, Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, and Mysore Road.
Bangalore Metro Purple Line: Project Construction Details
Work on the 42.30-km line under Phase 1 began in April 2007. In 2011, the first segment of the purple line metro in Bangalore, connecting Baiyyappanahalli and MG Road, became operational. The final section was opened on June 17, 2017. On October 9, 2023, operations began on two sections – Baiyappanahalli to KR Puram and Kengeri to Challaghatta.
The Bangalore metro line comprises a total of 37 stations. There are interchange facilities planned along the route – at KR Puram to Blue Line, at MG Road to the upcoming Pink Line, at Nadaprabhu Kempegowda station, Majestic to Green Line (KSR Bengaluru), and at Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji Station, Hosahalli, and Mysuru Road to Orange Line.
Bangalore Metro Purple Line Stations
| Station Name | Interchange/Transit | Layout |
|---|---|---|
| Whitefield (Kadugodi) | Elevated | |
| Hopefarm Channasandra | Elevated | |
| Kadugodi Tree Park | Elevated | |
| Pattanduru Agrahara | Elevated | |
| Sri Sathya Sai Hospital | Elevated | |
| Nallurhalli | Elevated | |
| Kundalahalli | Elevated | |
| Seetharamapalya | Elevated | |
| Hoodi | Elevated | |
| Garudacharapalya | Elevated | |
| Singayyanapalya | Elevated | |
| Krishnarajapura (KR Pura) | Blue Line KR Puram | Elevated |
| Benniganahalli (Tin Factory) | Planned Suburban Rail Station | Elevated |
| Baiyappanahalli | At Grade | |
| Swami Vivekananda Road | Elevated | |
| Indiranagar | Elevated | |
| Halasuru | Elevated | |
| Trinity | Elevated | |
| MG Road | Pink Line (under construction) | Elevated |
| Cubbon Park | Underground | |
| Dr. BR. Ambedkar Station, Vidhana Soudha | Underground | |
| Sir M. Visveshwaraya Station, Central College | Underground | |
| Nadaprabhu Kempegowda station, Majestic | Green Line (KSR Bengaluru) | Underground |
| Krantivira Sangolli Rayanna Railway Station | Underground | |
| Magadi Road | Elevated | |
| Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji Station, Hosahalli | Orange Line (proposed) | Elevated |
| Vijayanagara | Elevated | |
| Attiguppe | Elevated | |
| Deepanjali Nagara | Elevated | |
| Mysuru Road | Orange Line (proposed) | Elevated |
| Pantharapalya – Nayandahalli | Elevated | |
| Rajarajeshwari Nagara | Elevated | |
| Jnanabharathi | Elevated | |
| Pattanagere | Elevated | |
| Kengeri Bus Terminal | Elevated | |
| Kengeri | Elevated | |
| Challaghatta | Elevated |
Source: Pinterest
Bangalore Purple Line Metro Route Timings
| Day | Operating Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 5 AM to 11 PM | 5-6 minutes |
| Tuesday | 5 AM to 11 PM | 5-6 minutes |
| Wednesday | 5 AM to 11 PM | 5-6 minutes |
| Thursday | 5 AM to 11 PM | 5-6 minutes |
| Friday | 5 AM to 11 PM | 5-6 minutes |
| Saturday | 5 AM to 11 PM | 7-8 minutes |
| Sunday | 7 AM to 11 PM | 7-8 minutes |
Number of Trains on the Purple Line
To cater to the growing demand, the BMRCL increased the train frequency from Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Station-Majestic on the purple line from 6 to 15, from July 6, 2024. Among these, 10 trains travel up to Pattanduru Agrahara (ITPL), four up to Whitefield, and one up to Baiyappanahalli.
During morning hours, trains originate from Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Station-Majestic from 8.48 AM to 11.22 AM, at an interval of 10 minutes, towards the east. In addition, there are regular passing trains at a 3.3-minute frequency at Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Station-Majestic up to 10.25 AM.
Six of the fourteen trains terminating at Garudacharpalya towards Pattanduru Agrahara (ITPL)/Whitefield have been extended. At Garudacharpalya Metro Station, the interval for trains to Pattanduru Agrahara (ITPL) has been reduced to 3.5 minutes. The train frequency has increased in the evenings, starting from Baiyappanahalli at 4:20 PM towards Mysore Road station.
Bangalore Purple Line Metro Route: Fare
The fare on the metro purple line in Bangalore is fixed depending on the distance traveled and is subject to revision by the metro authorities.
- A minimum of Rs 10 and a maximum of Rs 50 is chargeable for a token for one-way journeys.
- A minimum of 25 persons must purchase a group ticket to travel between the same set of stops. A 10% discount is available on these tickets.
- Smart cards (Varshik) are rechargeable contactless cards available for Rs 50. A discount of 5% on token fares is available. Users can charge the cards for up to Rs 3000 in multiples of Rs 50. Commuters can recharge the smart card on the Namma Metro app, WhatsApp, or the customer care counters.
How Will the Purple Line Metro in Bangalore Benefit Commuters?
Bangalore, referred to as the IT capital of India, attracts numerous multinational companies, IT firms, and start-ups. There are a large number of special economic zones (SEZs) and software parks in the city, creating job opportunities for people. Moreover, there is a rising number of co-working spaces in the city. Whitefield, Mysuru Road, Kengeri, Trinity Metro Station, Garudacharapalya, and Indiranagar are popular employment hubs in Bangalore. With the growing number of people traveling to these areas, the Bangalore metro purple line fulfills the need for an affordable and fast mode of public transport. The metro route significantly saves travel time, providing an alternative mode of transportation and reducing traffic congestion. The purple line will provide an interchange facility for the under-construction pink, green, and orange lines, which will boost the commuting experience.
What is the Real Estate Impact of the Bangalore Metro Purple Line?
The metro stations on the Bangalore metro purple line are strategically located to connect the bustling commercial hubs and landmarks in the city. Some of these include Whitefield, Garudacharpalya, Sri Sathya Sai Hospital, Trinity, and MG Road. Besides offering seamless connectivity to commuters traveling from eastern and western parts of the city, the metro line has been a growth driver for real estate developments. The areas along the corridor have witnessed a significant increase in property demand in recent years. These include the affordable regions of Challaghatta and Kengeri. The affordable housing projects undertaken by the BDA (Bangalore Development Authority) and other projects by private developers have started on the outskirts of Bangalore. Owing to the growing property demand, the localities along the metro purple line in Bangalore have seen an appreciation in property prices.
Kengeri, a suburban area in the western part of Bangalore, is known for educational institutions, such as Bangalore University and RV College of Engineering. The locality has witnessed a price appreciation of around 25% within the last year. Mysore Road, another popular locality, has seen a price appreciation of 1.32% in one year.
In addition, the rental market has received a tremendous boost with the purple metro corridor. A significant factor contributing to this increase is the growing preference of working professionals for properties along the corridor.
Top Localities Along Bangalore Metro Purple Line
| Localities | Property Price (Rs per square foot) | Average Rent (Rs per month) |
|---|---|---|
| Kengeri | 6,615 | 12,750 |
| Kodipalya | 9,136 | 9,339 |
| Sunkalpalya | 5,042 | 15,000 |
| Mysore Road | 8,100 | 18,708 |
| Kadugodi | 6,141 | 28,944 |
| Challaghatta | 6,434 | 34,400 |
| Garudachar Palya | 6,388 | 34,642 |
| Mahadevapura | 8,554 | 39,051 |
| Whitefield | 10,103 | 30,364 |
Bangalore Purple Line Metro: Contact Information
Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL), Byappanahalli Depot, Old Madras Road, NGEF Stop, Bangalore – 560038 Email: travelhelp@bmrc.co.in Contact number: 080-25191091 Toll-free Helpline: 1800-425-12345
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The Bangalore metro purple line has ensured easy connectivity for commuters. It caters to working professionals, especially those coming from the eastern and western parts of the city. Moreover, the metro line will provide interconnectivity with the pink line at MG Road, the green line at Nadaprabhu Kempegowda station-Majestic, and the orange line at Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji Station, Hosahalli, and Mysuru Road. Thus, the purple line is set to become a lifeline for the people of Bangalore as it will boost connectivity to different parts of the city. The regions along the corridor have become a preferred choice for several home seekers.