No sooner than Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa unveiled the mock-up model of the metro coach stationed on M.G. Road on Friday afternoon than hundreds of enthusiastic Bangaloreans rushed to have the first feel of a utility that could well change commuting habits if the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) gets it right.
The corporation has promised to commission Reach 1 by December.
Unveiling the coach, Mr. Yeddyurappa reiterated his Government's keenness to get the commercial run of Namma Metro between Byappanahalli and M.G. Road by the year-end. “I'm also eager to travel on the metro,” he said. He wrote in the visitors' book kept in the driver's cabin, “It's a dream come true.”
Happy anticipation
M. Jayaram, a resident of K.R. Puram, was happy that he will be able to travel by Namma Metro at least up to M.G. Road, though his workplace is near K.R. Market. “Once the entire metro network is complete, I'll be the happiest person,” he said, recalling his daily ordeal of commuting vast distances on congested roads. He said he was impressed by the interiors of the coach which he felt would ensure a comfortable ride.
Chamarajpet resident Geetalakshmi M., who had come along with her child and husband, was thrilled with the wide windows which would keep the youngest member of the family gainfully occupied when the metro is commissioned.
One could not help notice the usual Indian behaviour when the public swarmed all over the mock-up model, ripping off balloons and buntings and the flowers kept for the festive occasion. Roses appeared to be a particular favourite. Stupefied by such enthusiastic pilferage, a visitor quipped, “The Bangalore Metro people did a wise thing by putting fibre seats instead of cushions. Otherwise, people would have taken home the cushions too.”
Initially, Bangalore Metro will operate a set of trains comprising three cars — two driver motor cars (DMC) and a trailer car (between the two DMCs).
While a DMC has the capacity for 43 seating and 273 standing commuters, the trailer car has 50 seating and 293 standing capacity. All three cars put together can carry 975 passengers at a time.
Within the passenger area, there are four security cameras for surveillance.
Each coach has eight doors, four on either side. The doors will open and close automatically.
