The much-anticipated Namma Metro is expected to receive the crucial safety certification from the Commissioner of Railway Safety before September 15 and its inaugural run between Byappanahalli and M.G. Road on Reach 1 will be before September 25.
Launching the Namma Metro travel card here on Friday, Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda said: “We are confident of dedicating the project to the nation before September 25. Once the safety certificate is given, we will confirm the dates after consulting the Prime Minister [for his availability for the inauguration].”
Tie-up with SBI
Even before the Friday's launch, State Bank of India's customers have been able to buy the multi-purpose travel card through their branches as Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) has tied up with the bank to distribute them.
According to the Chief Minister, the team from the office of the Commissioner of Railway Safety will inspect the facilities from September 6 to September 9. “We will receive the safety certificate in about two to three days after the inspection.”
Road repair
Mr. Gowda promised that the roads along the 7-km route, which are in an appalling condition due to the construction work (and compounded by the rain), will be repaired immediately following a barrage of complaints from road users.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also launched the online purchase of Namma Metro travel card, the top-up facility through Airtel outlets and the Namma Metro toll-free number, 1800-425-12345.
Sources in BMRCL said that Airtel was chosen to sell the Namma Metro top-ups after a tendering process that had three more mobile service providers in the fray.
Huge turnout
Meanwhile, the BMRCL authorities are expecting a huge turnout of “curious” commuters in the first few weeks of the launch.
The peak handling capacity between M.G. Road and Byappanahalli is about 80,000 people a day.
“Though we are anticipated a turnout of about 25,000 to 35,000 people a day, the police have estimated about 60,000 commuters would travel each day after the launch,” BMRCL Managing Director N. Sivasailam told presspersons.
As for the fare, he said that while in 2003, the minimum tariff was calculated at Rs. 7, it rose to Rs. 10 in 2011.
