As the development of the 2.1 km metro connectivity between Baiyappanahalli and KR Puram metro station remains under process, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has deployed metro feeder buses to offer rides to KR Puram station.

The BMTC is running 160 feeder bus services every day between Baiyappanahalli and KR Puram to help passengers who are using the newly opened Whitefield metro line.

The feeder bus services will play a crucial role in connecting the KR Pura-Whitefield line and the 25.66 km Kengeri-Baiyappanahalli line.

According to a BMTC official, five feeder bus schedules were arranged to make 80 trips each way.

As of Monday (27 March), more than 3,000 commuters had utilised the feeder bus services, and it is anticipated that the number will continue to increase, as per a Deccan Herald report.

This bus service will continue to be essential until the 2.1 km metro link between Baiyappanahalli and KR Puram metro line becomes operational, which is expected to occur in the next few months.

The 13.7 km stretch, to connect Whitefield and KR Puram, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 March and was open for public the next day (26 March).

This stretch is part of the 15.81 km proposed corridor connecting Baiyappanahalli to Whitefield under the Bengaluru Metro Phase-2 network.

The network aims to expand the metro access to the IT hub located at the eastern parts of the city.

In addition, the newly established connectivity has been receiving overwhelming response from passengers.

Giving a report on the ridership on day two, BMRCL MD Anjum Parvez said: “As of 3pm, we recorded over 10,000 ridership. And it is expected to cross 20,000 at the end of the day,” reports Indian Express.

Furthermore, parking facilities will be available only for two-wheelers at KR Puram and Whitefield metro stations.

He added, “Due to space constraints, we may not have parking facilities in the other stations. Moreover, as a policy, we are not building parking facilities for four-wheelers. We encourage riders to bring their two-wheelers.”

With the new addition, the Namma Metro network now has 63 stations. This route will be operated with five trains with six coaches bought from BEML Limited.