The Multi-Colored Metro Construction (2)

From a transport point of view, the hub of Bengaluru (Bangalore) would be its City railway station. 

Outside the station is a massive bus station, consisting of a half circle of multiple departure platforms ... 

They are linked (thankfully having observed Bengaluru traffic on occasional videos!) by a footbridge and ramps.

Somewhere under this lot is the Metro station, called "Majestic". The bus station, in theory, carries the same name, but really it isn't. 

The Metro station, however, might deserve the majestic appellation.

At "Majestic" the two original Metro lines cross with the (roughly) north south GREEN intersecting with the east west PURPLE.

It looks as if the GREEN and PURPLE will be the only two lines to meet at the city centre transport hub with any other journeys requiring at least one change.

 

So fbb has decided to take a look at the newest line, the YELLOW. 

 

All of the line is on viaduct as is most of the two earlier routes. The stations are therefore significantly bulky. Here are a couple of samples!

 

This is the southern terminus ... 

... shown here on the route diagram.

And here is Electronic City.

All the stations are of a similar style but of varied sizes according to estimated demand

The interchange with the terminus of the BLUE line is of particular interest, The station takes its name from the offices of "The Silk Road", a quasi government organisation that oversees the important production and marketing if, guess what, silk.

The connection is unusual for an interchange as there is no easy interchange.

There will be a "travolator" (see Bank and Waterloo on London's Underground). The gap between the two will hold turn back sidings for the BLUE trains. The civil engineering is hugely complex and hugely expensive. 

This short video is a drive-by on the roads, showing mainly the construction for the YELLOW line with bits for the BLUE still to be added.

Wowsers! Lets hope they joined up the right bits!

A little nearer the inner terminus we have the next interchange with the up-coming PINK lime.

We'll get to the terminal in a bit! There exists a video, this time its drone footage. (Thinks: why do we use "footage" when its isn't a spool of plastic but dots and dashes on a computer chip?)

Hmm; maybe an american "chip" is nearer the truth?

But fbb could not "ackle" the video download - it looked like a weird format - so a few screen shots will have to suffice. Just note how high the PINK Viaduct needs to be to go over the top of the YELLOW.

Despite the over emphasized colours you can probably work out which line is which.

This,  above, shows the height of the pink, well above the already lofty YELLOW! Below, we have examples of the tower blocks surrounding the YELLOW line at this point.

 

 Sorry about the video failure. 

 

The arrangements for interchange with the GREEN are  also impressive but in this case the station roof does not mirror one if the line colours!

The YELLOW line, looking shiny and new, enters the picture from the left to travel north. It crosses over the GREEN before entering the extended but parallel station.

Once again, an interchange is needed to get into the city centre.

 

But it is all very impressive. 

 

We could take a ride, again on video, but all those uploaded are in real time but one view from a train window is much like any other. Nevertheless, fbb has downloaded a few screen shots which will give an impression of life at platform level. 

 

But we start with a look at a typical gate line ...

... with plenty of room for the crowds and with a fairly opulent but oriental finish to floor and walls. The following screen shots are in no particular order.

 

Many of the stations were decorated for the opening days ...

... with "good luck" flowers as well.

Note also the Metro logo in the steel of the railings.

The surroundings outside the stations were very samey with no great example of distinctive architecture ...

... and a plethora of enormous advertising hoardings.

The above screen shot showed a rudimentary bus station with very limited shelter provision!

 

The interchange with the PINK line provided blocked off exits etc but beautifully decorated in PINK!

Nice touch! And another "nice touch". All three lines used their colour to remind passenger what route they were using, Here is a YELLOW lined train ...

... with YELLOW platform edges ...

... not to be confused with the power rails which are a different yellow and yellow in all lines.

 

The onboard screens all showed the line colour and gave station names ...

...  on English and Bengali (?). On the video, there did not appear to be any audio announcements but, perhaps the cameraman had set his device to silent to avoid the chatter. fbb does not know.

But an interesting and rapidly expanding system; a serendipitously appropriate blog as today ...

... is a significant anniversary.

  Next  Variety blog : Sun 17 Aug