Over 10,000 laddus, 3,000 juice packets, 1,000 lunch packets, 250 ‘VIP’ breakfasts, and snacks... The menu gets longer as Namma Metro prepares itself for the “imminent” big inauguration day that will see the completion of the much-delayed Phase I of the project. However, it is clear that the entire 42-km network will not be opened by May-end.
Pradeep Singh Kharola, Managing Director of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL), which is executing the project, said testing had ended and a certificate from the Independent Safety Assessor (ISA) is expected soon.
“The certificate is expected in three or four days, after which we will approach the Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS). We cannot say how much time CMRS will take for inspection or when they will give the final approval. The date for throwing open the line is not fixed, but it will be inaugurated very shortly,” he said.
Though numerous deadlines had been skipped so far, Mr. Kharola said the tests and approvals were “going” as per the schedule decided two months ago.
A part of the North-South corridor between Sampige Road and Yelachanahalli is yet to be opened, and its opening would complete both lines of the much-awaited public transportation project. Around five lakh people are expected to travel on this line.
At present, speed trials have been completed, while the Kempegowda Interchange is undergoing minor finishing work. According to BMRCL, works at Chickpet and K.R. Market stations will be completed by the time of the inauguration.
Until then, however, the BMRCL is preparing for the mega inauguration, where around 250 VIPs - Union and State government Ministers - are expected to participate, apart from 1,000 security and police personnel. While BMRCL officials remain tight-lipped on when the lines would be opened, there is a hint in the tenders called for supplying food to the inauguration: the last date for submission of bids is May 31, and the bids would be opened only on June 1.
Pradeep Singh Kharola, Managing Director of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL), which is executing the project, said testing had ended and a certificate from the Independent Safety Assessor (ISA) is expected soon.
“The certificate is expected in three or four days, after which we will approach the Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS). We cannot say how much time CMRS will take for inspection or when they will give the final approval. The date for throwing open the line is not fixed, but it will be inaugurated very shortly,” he said.
Though numerous deadlines had been skipped so far, Mr. Kharola said the tests and approvals were “going” as per the schedule decided two months ago.
A part of the North-South corridor between Sampige Road and Yelachanahalli is yet to be opened, and its opening would complete both lines of the much-awaited public transportation project. Around five lakh people are expected to travel on this line.
At present, speed trials have been completed, while the Kempegowda Interchange is undergoing minor finishing work. According to BMRCL, works at Chickpet and K.R. Market stations will be completed by the time of the inauguration.
Until then, however, the BMRCL is preparing for the mega inauguration, where around 250 VIPs - Union and State government Ministers - are expected to participate, apart from 1,000 security and police personnel. While BMRCL officials remain tight-lipped on when the lines would be opened, there is a hint in the tenders called for supplying food to the inauguration: the last date for submission of bids is May 31, and the bids would be opened only on June 1.