The commencement of the service in Bengaluru Metro’s Yellow line is expected to be delayed by six months.
Groundwork of the metro line is slated to be wrapped up soon. However, the metro coaches, which will be deployed on the route, are yet to arrive from China, according to Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL).
This is not the only reason behind the delay though. As per the contract with the Chinese coach supply company, some engineers were needed to accompany the two prototype trains for the initial testing. Their trip to India has been delayed due to visa-related issues.
A source close to the development has told The Hindu that the metro coaches have already been dispatched from China and the engineers designated to the project have also cleared their visas for India. Upon the delivery of the prototype trains, the BMRCL will need three more months to complete the remaining formalities. Following the trial runs, the Bengaluru metro authority will need to apply for the approval of the commercial operations of those new coaches.
“Upon receiving the prototype train, the BMRCL will require a minimum of three months to conduct trial runs and obtain approvals for commercial operations. The prototype coaches have already been dispatched from China, and engineers from there are scheduled to arrive in Bengaluru to test the coaches. Their visas were recently approved, and they are expected to arrive here by the end of this month,” the official said, as quoted by The Hindu.
Earlier in 2019, the BMRCL signed a Rs 1,578 crore contract with a Chinese factory named China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC), which was asked to deliver 216 metro coaches to operate on the Yellow line. The delivery didn’t happen as the company failed to establish a manufacturing plant in India during this period.
Moreover, the model code of conduct for the general elections is expected to delay the launch of Bengaluru Metro’s Yellow line. According to the said source, the BMRCL is planning to commence the service in July this year when the test of the coaches and signalling system is done.
“A seamless interface is essential between the trainset and signalling systems. Subsequently, oscillation trials will be conducted through the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO),” the official told The Hindu.
The BMRCL had previously sent several notices to the CRRC, considering the option to encash its Rs 372-crore bank guarantee. The organisation later partnered with Kolkata-based Titagarh Wagons for the supply of the remaining metro coaches.
Once the service begins, the 19-km Yellow Line of the Bengaluru Metro, stretching from RV Road to Bommasandra via Electronic City, will ease the travel between southern and southeastern parts of the city.
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