Bengaluru Metro plans phased Yellow line launch amid train delivery delays: Report

The BMRCL is considering a partial launch of the Yellow line by late 2024 due to delays in train deliveries, with plans to initially operate in select stations.

Published on: Sep 6, 2024, 20:00:01 IST

By Yamini C S

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is devising a contingency plan for the Namma Metro Yellow line's delayed launch, which was initially scheduled to commence in December 2021. With the latest revised deadline pushed to December 2024, BMRCL officials are now considering a phased rollout due to ongoing delays in train deliveries, the Moneycontrol reported.

Ongoing issues with train manufacturing and supply chain disruptions have pushed the full operational date back to December 2024.

The 19-km Yellow line, which will connect RV Road with Bommasandra near Electronics City, may see partial operations by late 2024 or early 2025. BMRCL is evaluating the possibility of launching services with limited trains and initially operationalizing select stations, including Infosys Foundation Konappana Agrahara, Central Silk Board, BTM Layout, and Jayadeva Hospital. This scaled-back approach aims to alleviate traffic congestion on Hosur Road while awaiting additional train deliveries, the report noted.

Currently, BMRCL is planning to operate three trains, with one running every 30 minutes. The frequency could increase as more trains are received from Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL), based in Kolkata, which is contracted to supply the metro trains.

BMRCL Managing Director M Maheshwar Rao, who inspected TRSL’s facility in May 2024, spoke to the publication and emphasized the need for at least five trains to achieve the desired 20-minute headway. However, as of June 2024, TRSL has not yet delivered the six-coach trains, impacting the metro’s full operational capability.

The delays are attributed to several other factors as well, including TRSL's transition to manufacturing stainless steel coaches, quality control issues, and disruptions related to the Indo-China border tensions and local manufacturing requirements under the Make in India initiative, the report said. Additionally, complications with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems and delays in sourcing propulsion components have further contributed to the setbacks.

Meanwhile, trial runs using a prototype train, which arrived in Bengaluru earlier this year, are ongoing. The Research, Design, and Standards Organisation (RDSO) is overseeing these trials to ensure compliance before the metro's official launch.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yamini C S
Yamini CS is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with nearly six years of experience in digital journalism. She is part of the India News desk, where she works on a wide range of stories cutting across civic issues, city-based developments, politics, governance, public policy, breaking news, trending topics, and international affairs that have an impact on India. Her role involves tracking fast-moving developments, verifying information from official and on-ground sources, and presenting news in a clear, accessible format for a digital-first audience. A significant part of her work includes handling live blogs during major news events, such as elections, court verdicts, political developments, civic disruptions, protests, weather-related alerts, and unfolding national or international incidents. Through live coverage, she focuses on timely updates to help readers follow complex stories as they evolve. Before moving to the broader India News desk, Yamini was associated with the Bengaluru desk at Hindustan Times, where she extensively covered urban governance, infrastructure, traffic and transport issues, weather events, public grievances, and civic administration in the city. This experience strengthened her grounding in city reporting and sharpened her focus on citizen-centric journalism. She began her career as a correspondent with Reuters after completing a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media. Her early training instilled a strong emphasis on accuracy, sourcing, and news ethics, which continue to shape her reporting style. Outside of work, Yamini enjoys reading across genres, listening to music, and spending time with her family, which help her maintain balance in a fast-paced newsroom environment.Read More

Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crickit, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Infographics & much more. Explore now!

Stay updated Bengaluru Weather Live and with all the Breaking News and Latest News from Bengaluru. Click here for comprehensive coverage of top cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and more across India . Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News.