Bengaluru: Bengaluru Development Minister K.J. George inspected the Kempegowda Metro Station one last time before the official launch of Phase-1 on June 17.
“There were many challenges and it took a lot of time to complete Namma Metro Phase-1. The state took a loan of Rs 6,500 crore to fund the project. It will finally be inaugurated on June 17. The Kempegowda Metro interchange is the biggest station in Asia,” Mr George said, adding that because of the project's viability many investors are coming forward for Phase-2, which will be done by 2020.
A documentary on 'Making of Namma Metro', its milestones, challenges with TBMs and testimonials by CM, Minister George, Mahendra Jain of Urban Development Department, BMRCL and BMTC Managing Directors and commuters, was screened.
BMRCL Managing Director Pradeep Singh Kharola said, “The official launch ceremony will be held at Vidhana Soudha at 6 pm with President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurating the project. Governor Vajubhai Vala, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Union minister Venkaiah Naidu will preside over the event. Commercial operation begins on June 18."
Elaborating on the Commissioner of Rail Safety's report, he said, "We have requested for the train speed to be at a maximum of 80 km per hour. The CRS said the height of slope for physically challenged passengers must be reduced, width of passenger space within the station be increased and seepage in certain areas be arrested."
BMRCL will respond with a compliance report in a day or two. Once the entire Green Line begins, it is expected to overtake Purple Line in terms of passenger traffic. 29 trains are ready to be used on the Nagasandra-Yelachenahalli stretch.
"The Nagawara to KIA line is being finalised. This will be part of Phase 2b," Mr George said.
Coaches, frequency, timing
Mr George said that 150 coaches will be added by BEML, for which Rs 1400 crore is being spent. This will allow the passenger capacity to double. Based on public demand, BMRCL is open to extending the service late into the night and also increase the frequency to 6 minutes and subsequently to 4.5 minutes.
Technical hiccups
Three times over the last two months, technical issues with electricity have caused temporary stoppage of the Metro. Assuaging commuters' fears, Mr Kharola said, “Once before, the lightning had damaged an electric cable. Recently, the 'Emergency Trip Switch' which any commuter or staff can use to stop the train was accidentally pressed. The protocol to set it right took some time."
Meanwhile, Chief Public Relations Officer Vasanth Rao said that though the battery-operated bicycle sharing system was implemented in over 12 stations, it never took off. “We are ready to implement the bicycle sharing system for last-mile connectivity, but there seems to be takers”.
