Inauguration of Metro Yellow line may be delayed

BENGALURU: The start of commercial operations on the highly anticipated Metro Yellow line is likely to be delayed further, much to the disappointment metro passengers who have been waiting for its inauguration.

The metro line was supposed to be inaugurated two years. Despite multiple deadlines, the work on the metro line has not been completed due to various reasons, including the Covid-19 pandemic, land acquisition issues and the delayed arrival of train sets from China. Citizens were hoping that it will bring some relief from traffic problems.

The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) had earlier planned to open the line in September this year, but has now postponed it to the end of the year, subject to completion of all necessary tests and procedures.

Yashavant Chavan, Chief Public Relations Officer at BMRCL said that, notably, the Metro Yellow Line will feature driverless trains for the first time, but only one such train has arrived from China so far. Five more trains are expected to arrive from the Kolkata-based Titagarh Rail Systems, which has agreed to deliver two trains per month. This means that it may take another three months for all the train sets to arrive.

He further added, after the trains arrive, the BMRCL will conduct various tests, including fitness, capacity and line testing, before inviting the Rail Safety Commissioner for a test. The central authorities will then conduct a comprehensive examination and give a green signal if everything is in order. The entire process is expected to take about five months, which means that the Metro Yellow line may only become operational by the beginning of next year.