Why Namma Metro Yellow Line (RV Road-Bommasandra) Will Not Be Ready For Launch On Time?

In a development which might disappoint many IT workers, the Namma Metro Yellow Line (RV Road-Bommasandra) will not be ready for commuters on time.

It is now anticipated to be operational only after the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, according to a report in Deccan Herald. As per the earlier deadline, it should be ready by February.

The 19.15-km Yellow Line establishes a link between RV Road and Bommasandra via Silk Board Junction and Electronics City.

As per the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), the prototype train for the Yellow Line is scheduled to be transported from China on Thursday and is expected to reach Bengaluru in January.

A senior official from the BMRCL told the daily that all necessary approvals for the shipment of the six-coach trainset have been obtained. Once receiving the prototype train, the BMRCL requires a minimum of three months to conduct essential trial runs and secure approvals for the commencement of commercial operations, stated BL Yashavanth Chavan, the Chief Public Relations Officer.

The reason why the commercial operations will not commence in April or May is because of the Lok Sabha polls as the model code of conduct might have come into effect.

Although 99 per cent of civil works, including the construction of viaducts and stations, have been complete, the line's opening has been delayed due to the unavailability of trainsets.

China's state-owned CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co Ltd, In February 2020, secured a contract to supply 216 coaches (36 trainsets) to the BMRCL in four years. Out of these, 21 trainsets were allocated for deployment on the Purple and Green lines, with the remaining intended for the Yellow Line.

However, the challenge for the company was to find an Indian company to manufacture 75 per cent of the parts locally. It was only in 2021 that a collaboration was established with the Bengal-based Titagarh Wagons Limited to produce 204 coaches.

Chavan said that the prototype train will be used for trial runs and the BMRCL hopes CRRC-Titagarh will convert the bodyshells into two full-fledged trainsets in the coming months.

"There has to be proper interfacing between the trainset and signalling. This will be followed by oscillation trials through the RDSO (Research Designs and Standards Organisation). If any problems arise during testing, we will have to fix them. At the next step, we will get the technical approval and then go for the statutory safety inspection."