Commuters who were looking forward to using Namma Metro’s Green Line between Sampige Road and Yelachanahalli this month will be disappointed. The launch of the service, initially promised in April, is unlikely to start before June. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation is unlikely to approach the Commissioner for Railway Safety (CRS) for safety clearance before the end of May.
“We do not want to take any short cuts when it comes to testing. On May 12, we will approach an independent safety assessor for a trial. Once the assessor submits a report, we will go to the CRS,” said Pradeep Singh Kharola, Managing Director, BMRCL.
Trials on the stretch between National College and Yelachanahalli had started in November. Testing on the stretch between Sampige Road and National College began in February.
On Tuesday, Union Minister for Urban Development M. Venkaiah Naidu, who was in the city to review Union government-funded projects, said, “Phase 1 is complete in all aspects except for finishing work at Chikpete station.”
According to sources, BMRCL is unlikely to approach the CRS before May 20. In the past, clearances for launching commercial operations were issued within 15 days after BMRCL approached the CRS. Going by this, it is unlikely that operations could begin before June.
CM invites President to inaugurate Phase 1
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday invited President Pranab Mukherjee to inaugurate Phase 1 of the Metro project. In a letter, he termed the launching of operations on the Green Line as a game changer. However, the letter does not mention when the services will be launched.
Green Line Stations
Sampige Road
National College
Lalbagh
South End Circle
Jayanagar
R.V. Road
Banashankari
J.P. Nagar
Yelachanahalli
Underground Stations
Kempegowda Interchange
Chikpete
K.R. Market
