Namma Metro, the very name suggesting the Indianization of
this world class service. Presently, the Bangalore Metro stretches across just
a few stations, from MG Road
at one end and Baiyappanahalli at the other.Walked down from our abode to the Indirangar Station, not
more than a couple of minutes away. Bought tickets. There were these tokens
instead of the conventional tickets made of paper. One was supposed to keep the
token on a heat sensor, so as to gain access to the platform. Waited for
exactly 9 minutes and there it was, the brainchild of modern physics; the
result of the collective efforts of many. With constant announcements, I’m
pretty sure the importance of “minding the gap between the doors and the
platform” was safely drilled into the minds of all the touristy passengers, if
I may call them that!
Sitting inside, the reek of Bangalore turning into an international
metropolitan was overpowering. Seeing the fleeting images of the city outside,
the constant flash of illegal photography, the din of the Kannadiga passengers
interspersed with constant multi-lingual announcements, the experience was made
even more complete.
At the moment, more than the Metro services being an
effective mode of transport for the average office-goer, it is more of a
joyride, an opportunity to click a bunch of photographs with the family! It is
said, with obvious truth, that upon completion, the endeavor will definitely
play a major role in further reducing time and distances. However, for the time
being at least, when one’s made use of this “privilege”, one can proudly brag
about making use of the latest phenomenon, the talk of the town, Namma Metro..
