Vinod M Jain
*BMRCL completes works; trains undergoing mandatory 750-km trials,with Railway Board approval and CMRS safety clearance awaited.
Bengaluru Development Minister,Krishna Byre Gowda today inspected the preparations for opening the elevated stretch of Namma Metro’s Pink Line from Jayadeva Hospital to Kaalena Agrahara Metro Station for public service.
Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya, Bengaluru South MLA A.Krishnappa,BMRCL Managing Director Dr.P.C. Jaffer,IAS, Directors and senior officials were present during the inspection.
The Minister and other dignitaries travelled from Jayadeva Hospital to Kaalena Agrahara and reviewed the passenger facilities and overall preparedness of the Kaalena Agrahara Metro Station.
BMRCL officials briefed the Minister on the state-of-the-art metro trains manufactured by BEML.
Around 70% of the trains are indigenous and are capable of supporting Automatic Train Operation (ATO) as well as advanced Unattended Train Operation (UTO) systems.
A sufficient number of trains required to commence operations on this stretch are currently available.
The trains are undergoing the prescribed testing and trial runs and are required to complete the mandatory 750-km test run before being deployed for passenger services.Train operators have been identified and are expected to complete their mandatory training within this week.
Officials also briefed the Minister on the readiness of the state-of-the-art Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system, Station Control Room and the Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) system integrated with the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) at Kaalena Agrahara Metro Station.
Railway Board approval for the new rolling stock is expected shortly. The Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) will thereafter conduct the mandatory safety inspection.
The stretch will be opened for public passenger services upon receipt of the necessary approvals and safety clearance.
BMRCL has completed all the required works and is fully prepared to open the stretch for public service, subject to the mandatory inspections and requisite permissions and approvals.
