Amid confusion over the Ugadi launch of Namma Metro comes an update from Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation(BMRCL) on the frequency of the run: it will be 20 minutes, not four minutes.
Amid confusion over the Ugadi launch of Namma Metro comes an update from Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation(BMRCL) on the frequency of the run: it will be 20 minutes, not four minutes.
“Initially, we will run the five trains at a frequency of 15 minutes to 20 minutes. Later, when the passenger demand rises, we will increase the frequency,” said BLY Chavan, official spokesperson of BMRCL.
He revealed this during an inspection by the local MLA, S Raghu and deputy mayor N Dayanand on Monday morning.
Metro officials made one more revelation — none of the stations are ready yet. Work on the entrance and exit points, flooring and lighting are incomplete.
Signal boards seen at MG Road station are not yet installed at Swami Vivekananda and Byappanahalli stations. Byappanahalli is the starting point of Reach 1 of the first phase of the Namma Metro. The Swami Vivekananda station on Old Madras Road is the second station, also the first on the elevated track.
Work remains on the stairs of the foot bridge across Old Madras Road. Welding work of the asbestos sheets, which will serve as sun shade for the sky walk, is also underway. The entrance to the station from Old Madras Road remains chaotic, flooring work is incomplete.
In all stations, the escalators, lifts and automatic fare collecting (FC) gates have been fitted in their designated places on the concourse and platform levels. But they have not been inspected by the Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services (KSFES).
At the Byappanahalli station, the entrance and exits are getting ready. But the BMRCL is planning to set up two more skywalks from across the yard inside the metro depot in Byappanahalli and from across the Indian Railways line on the south-end of the metro station.
“We’ve applied to the Indian Railways to give us permission to construct a foot overbridge from the other side of the railway line of the Byappanahalli railway station,” said Chavan.
“We want to see the work finish fast as people’s expectations are soaring as the day for the metro launch nears,” said S Raghu, MLA of CV Raman nagar.
Members in the inspecting team along with the MLA and the deputy mayor told DNA that the chief minister should have first inspected the work himself and consulted the BMRCL before committing anything to Bangaloreans. Some feared that the shoddy work done in a hurry might not earn the BMRCL a safety certificate so easily.
While the safety clearance of the equipment and inspection of CRS are still awaited, the Karnataka State Police (KSP) is studying the security audit made by the Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF). “CISF has submitted audit reports to the KSP and they will have to take a call on who is going to be the security in charge for the Namma Metro rail and stations,” said Chavan.
The BMRCL plans to depute marshals on the platforms to keep passengers off the yellow line as the trains arrive or depart, and also lead commuters to the doors of the coaches without confusion.
“Initially, the coach doors will be open for 30 seconds — 10 seconds for opening and closing and 20 seconds for commuters to get off and get in,” said Chavan.
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