BMRC news
Metro inspection on its last stretch; launch likely in a fortnight
Bengaluru:
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The north-south corridor of Namma Metro is likely to cross the final frontier on Wednesday , when Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) K A Manoharan inspects the entire corridor.
Train services from Nagasandra to Mantri Square station on this corridor will be stopped from 2pm and will resume in the evening, after all checks are done, officials said.
The second round of inspection started on Monday and continued on Tuesday; services were disrupted between Rajajinagar and Mantri Square stations to facilitate the same.
At an event on Tuesday , chief minister Siddaramaiah announced that the entire 42km stretch will be thrown open by June, but stopped short of announcing the launch date. However, according to unconfirmed reports, the launch could happen any time within the first fortnight of June. Sources said the BMRC won't finalize the date till the safety certificate is issued.
Siddaramaiah said the cost of first phase of Metro project escalated to Rs 13,600 crore and work on the 72km second phase network had been taken up at a cost of Rs 26,405 crore. He said on completion of both phases, the Metro is expected to ferry five lakh com muters every day . At present, two lakh commuters use the 31km network that is operational already .The CM said the BMTC will add another 3,000 buses to its fleet by the year-end to strengthen public transport system in the city .
Following the second day's inspection, Manoharan said he might continue safety checks on June 1. “Depending on our inspection on Wednesday , we can finalize if we have to inspect the line any further. I will have to make sure the entire service is safe for people and only then issue the safety certificate,“ he said.
Security staff at Metro stations have been alerted that train services might start from the first week of June.
Source-TOI
