The Multi-Colored Metro Construction (1)

Bellow About The Yellow!

It is nice to see the tradition of a launch with flowers on the front of the train. But perhaps we need a bit of context.

Until 2017 the city was called Bangalore but its name changed officially to Bengaluru.

It is the capital and largest city of the southern Indian state of Karnataka. 

The state is on the left, nearer the pointy end of the sub- continent.

As per a recent census, the city had a population of 8.4 million, making it the third most populous city in India and the most populous in South India. The Bengaluru metropolitan area had a population of around 8.5 million, making it the fifth most populous urban agglomeration in the country. It is located near the centre of the Deccan Plateau, at a height of 900 m (3,000 ft) above sea level. The city is known as India's "Garden City", due to its parks and greenery.

By comparison, London has a quoted population of 8.9 million, but London's millions are spread over a much wider area! 

Bengaluru has something of a traffic problem!

Wow! That's nearly as bad as Seaton on a sunny bank holiday. 

But clearly something had to be done to improve the public transport, ease connections and ensure people could actually get to work!

As with many Indian cities Bengaluru is a curious mix of the old and the new. This temple is probably the oldest building in the city ...

... as it dates from 860AD. 

In the 16th century a mud fort was built to defend the embryo community, rebuilt in stone in 1860.

The old offices of the City Council are nowadays surely quite inadequate, but the heritage remains.

The modern interpretation of history is quick to condemn the period of history in what were British "Colonies". but the age is celebrated for its architecture as here with a Palace ...

... based (loosely!) in Windsor Castle! 

You would have no doubt about the force of Law, even if it was resented by the locals!

And how's this, UK Royal Mail, for the Bangaluru General Post Office.

 

"One first class stamp, please."

 

But India is one of the world's fastest growing economies, predicted soon to outgrow China and the USA. The TV Tower is indicative of the spread of new tech ... 

... as is a view of the city by night!

 

Talking of technology, below is the campus of Infosys which does spectacularly clever things with computers.

And this azure slab is the proposed World Trade Centre.

Even the international airport has a magnificent terminal; and will soon get a Metro link, of which more later.

The City has buses ...

... all under the aegis of the local authority.

Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), formerly Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation, is a state-owned public road transport corporation in the Indian city of Bangalore. It is wholly owned by the Government of Karnataka. It serves the Bangalore Metropolitan Region. As of 28 September 2024, it has a fleet of 6340 vehicles.

Our purpose, however, is to examine the Metro network, consisting originally of two lines, the PURPLE ...

... the GREEN ...

... and joined this month by the YELLOW.

But look at the map below! 

This shows a BLUE line and a PINK line both currently under construction.

And there's more! 

At least THREE more lines are approved. 

We will explore some more tomorrow.

In addition there are four suburban "heavy rail" lines crossing the city ...

... with developments and upgrades planned or in progress.

Have a house point! You are, indeed, observant dear readers. The track gauge of Indian State Railways is 5'6" which is why the trains appear a bit squashed. Brunel's broad gauge was much broaderer, at seven feet.

The Bangaluru Metro is to standard gauge at 4'8.5".

Weekend Variety blogs will follow on Sunday and Monday.

 Next Multi-Coloured blog : Sat 16 Aug