SK Mittal takes over as commissioner of railway safety. Will Metro roll under his watch?
After the inspection of Bangalore Metro Reach 1, commissioner of railway safety (CRS) for South Central Railways, DK Singh, was on the verge of issuing a safety certification when the civil aviation ministry appointed SK Mittal as the new CRS for Southern Circle, South Western Railway, and Bangalore Metro Railway.
Before Singh and Mittal, Bangalore Metro had submitted papers for safety clearance to then CRS, KJS Naidu. But due to incomplete paperwork he was not able to do much.
Now the question is whether Mittal would be inspecting Reach 1 again or if Singh would have the final say.
“Singh will certify whatever he had inspected of the Metro. I will take charge of additional tasks and other stretches of Bangalore Metro. Singh had inspected the stretch, and he will issue the safety certification to Bangalore Metro for the opening of Reach 1,” said Mittal.
He however added that the chances are bleak of him intervening in Singh’s certification. Mittal is currently in Chennai inspecting the passenger train accident that took place on Tuesday in Chitteri.
Singh will be taking full responsibility of Reach 1 safety certification process, confirmed officials in his office.
Singh inspected Reach 1 from September 6 to September 8 and had advised the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) to improvise on several systems. He said that he will issue the safety certificate only after the BMRCL complies with his recommendations.
Officials in Singh’s office explained that certification is in progress as the CRS had sought for some documents, which he is yet to receive. The official also added that there are certain technical glitches that need to be fixed and so the Metro cannot be given the go-ahead.
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