Bengaluru's newly inaugurated Yellow Line stretch of the Namma Metro witnessed an overwhelming passenger surge on Friday evening ahead of the long weekend, drawing notable attention from commuters, residents and social media users alike.
A video shared by a Bengaluru resident on social media site X showed throngs of people queuing up at the Yellow Line metro station, waiting for trains. Many were seen carrying luggage for outstation travel, with metro security personnel guiding the crowds.
ALSO READ | Bengaluru commuter penalized for ‘overstaying’ at Yellow Line Metro station
“@OfficialBMRCL don't say you did not expect the weekend rush!! @DKShivakumar Tunnel road is still a better solution?” the resident questioned on X.
See the video here:
There has been an ongoing debate between tunnel roads vs mass transit systems like the metro in Bengaluru, which centres on long-term sustainability versus short-term relief.
{{/usCountry}}There has been an ongoing debate between tunnel roads vs mass transit systems like the metro in Bengaluru, which centres on long-term sustainability versus short-term relief.
{{/usCountry}}ALSO READ | BMTC launches metro feeder buses for Yellow Line: Route details, timings, stops
Record-breaking ridership
The Namma Metro hit a new milestone on Monday, clocking its highest-ever single-day ridership - just a day after the city’s long-anticipated Yellow Line began operations.
According to figures released by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), a total of 10,48,031 commuters rode the metro network that day - marking a record across all active lines.
Here’s the breakdown:
– Purple Line (Line 1): 4,51,816 passengers
– Green Line (Line 2): 2,91,677 passengers
– Yellow Line (Line 3): 52,215 passengers on its first full day
– Interchange stations usage: 2,52,323 commuters switched between lines
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Long-weekend spike and commuter excitement
The launch was followed by a long weekend, with Independence Day falling on Friday, August 15, Krishna Janmashtami on Saturday, August 16, followed by Sunday. In this regard, several Bengaluru residents planned quick weekend trips and getaways to popular nearby sites or their native towns.
This amplified the rush at the Yellow Line metro as both daily commuters and leisure travellers flocked to experience the new corridor.
The back story behind the Yellow Line
Spanning 19.143 km, the fully elevated Yellow Line connects RV Road in Jayanagar to Bommasandra, cutting through key zones like Electronic City. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 10 and began serving the public on August 11.
Built at an estimated cost of ₹7,600 - 7,610 crore and spanning 16 stations, the line runs with three trainsets at 25‑minute intervals for now, with plans to ramp up frequency as more trains arrive in the coming months.