Bengaluru: IT Hub Whitefield Soon To Be On Metro Rail Map As BMRCL Completes Installation Of Open Web Girder Across Railway Track Near Benniganahalli

In a complex operation, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) today (Feb 3) successfully erected an open web girder (OWG) over the railway track near Benniganahalli, setting the stage for the launch of the 15.50 km metro line from Baiyappanahalli to Whitefield via K.R Puram under Phase II of Namma Metro.

BMRCL is now expected to expedite the completion of few pending civil works, including the launch of six segments along with the laying of tracks and signalling equipment.

While the stretch between Whitefield and K.R. Puram will begin commercial operations by March 2023, the 2.5 km stretch between K.R. Puram to Baiyappanahalli will open by mid-2023 paving way for Whitefiled, the bustling IT and residential hub of Bengaluru to be connected to rest of the city.

OWG Installation

BMRCL had to execute the complex challenge of OWG installation in tandem with South Western Railway (SWR). It received clearance from SWR the previous week for the work.

In a dawn-to-dusk operation, the girder was placed 14 metres above the railway tracks. Over 500 tonnes of steel were brought from Bhilai to construct this girder. Spherical bearings have been used in the OWG, The process of erecting the grider, which is 65 metres long, began on Dec 10. 

The erection work was carried out under the power block. During the power block, train movement was suspended temporarily. The BMRCL executed the work under railway supervision.

Cranes and extremely high man lifters that can reach upto 40 metres high were deployed to execute the operation.

The Baiyappanahlli-Whitefield line is being executed as an extension of the purple line of Namma Metro.

Currently, the Purple Line is 25.7 km long and spans 23 stations from Kengeri in the southwest to Baiyappanahalli. The Purple Line is mostly elevated, with 17 elevated stations, five underground stations and one at-grade station. The line passes through central business districts of the city, including M.G. Road, Vidhana Soudha and Majestic station, an interchange station between Purple and Green Lines.

Once the Baiyappanahlli-Whitefield is fully open, the length of the line will increase to 42.53 km, with 37 stations extending from Whitefield in the east and Challaghatta. (A 1.3 km extension of the purple line from Kengeri to Challaghata is also set to open shortly)

Once the Whitefield line becomes completely operational, the metro ridership is expected to increase dramatically by 3.5 lakhs as it seamlessly connects Whitefield, a major IT corridor and residential hub, with most parts of Bengaluru.

To begin with, the trains on the Whitefield line will be operated at a frequency of 10 minutes between K.R. Puram and Whitefield. BMRCL will deploy five sets of trains (six coaches each) to provide services between the two points.

BMRCL will operate bi-directional feeder services between Baiyappanahalli and K.R. Puram till the full line becomes operational in June/July.