North Bangalore gets Metro

The Bangalore Metro was finally opened to the public on Friday. (Express archives)

The Bangalore Metro finally reached the northern parts of the city as the 9.9-km stretch from Malleshwaram to Peenya was flagged off by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday evening at Rajajinagar Metro station. Reach-3 and Reach-3a were opened to the public on Saturday.

The flag-off function on Friday was marred by delays, with the chief minister arriving three hours late at 9 pm. This further delayed the laying of the foundation store at Kanteerava Stadium, which had been scheduled for 7 pm but began only by 9.40 pm.

Union Railways Minister Mallikarjun Kharge, who was supposed to flag off the Metro, was absent. The inaugural train was packed with 1,500 people – including VIPs and Congress party workers – who travelled with Siddaramaiah.

Meanwhile, the public, who had gathered at Kanteerava Stadium by 6 pm to witness the foundation stone laying ceremony for Phase-2 of the Metro, went home disappointed. By 9 pm, the stadium was empty except for mediapersons, police and BMRCL officials stationed there to welcome VIPs.