Bengaluru Pink Line: BMRCL Says Jayadeva Hospital-Kalena Agrahara Stretch Ready, Awaits Mandatory Tests and Safety Clearances
Bengaluru: Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda on Wednesday inspected the elevated section of Namma Metro’s Pink Line between Jayadeva Hospital and Kalena Agrahara to review preparations for opening the stretch to passenger services, with BMRCL saying the required works have been completed and the corridor is ready subject to mandatory inspections and approvals.
The latest inspection focused on the operational and passenger-service readiness of the stretch, including trains, signalling, station systems and other facilities required before commercial operations can begin.
Bengaluru South Lok Sabha 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 representatives travelled from Jayadeva Hospital to Kalena Agrahara and inspected passenger amenities and the readiness of the Kalena Agrahara Metro station.
BMRCL officials briefed them on the advanced Metro trains manufactured by BEML. According to the briefing, the trains have around 70% indigenous content and are capable of supporting Automatic Train Operation (ATO) as well as advanced Unattended Train Operation (UTO) systems.
BMRCL said a sufficient number of trains required to bring the stretch into public service are currently available. The trains are undergoing scheduled testing and trials and must complete a mandatory 750-km running test before being deployed for passenger operations.
Train operators have been identified, and their mandatory training is expected to be completed within this week, according to the information provided during the inspection.
At Kalena Agrahara Metro station, officials also briefed the delegation on the readiness of the advanced Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system, the station control room and the Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) system integrated with the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC).
Approval from the Railway Board for the new rolling stock is expected shortly. The Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) will conduct a safety inspection, following which the stretch can be opened for passenger operations subject to approval.
BMRCL said it has completed all works required from its side and is fully prepared to open the stretch for public service, subject to completion of the mandatory inspections and receipt of the required permissions and approvals.
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