BMRCL Aims To Launch Bengaluru Metro Yellow Line By 15 August Amid Rising Public Demand

Amid increasing public pressure to launch the Yellow Line, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) Managing Director Maheshwar Rao has said that the 19 km stretch connecting RV Road to Bommasandra via Electronic City is likely to be operational by 15 August, the Indian Express reported.

This comes following a citizens' protest rally held at Lalbagh Main Gate on Saturday (5 July), led by Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya, Bangalore Central MP PC Mohan, and other BJP MLAs. 

The rally, held under the slogan “Yellow Line na open maadi” (Open the Yellow Line), urged immediate commissioning of the long-delayed corridor.

“Currently, we have three trains, with the third train having arrived last month. Since these are automated train operating systems, an independent safety assessment test is underway which will check the safety controls of these driverless trains. We are expecting the report by 7 July,” Rao said at the rally.

He further explained that once the assessment report is received next week, BMRCL will approach the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) for the necessary approvals, which may take at least a month more.

Based on the regulatory process timeline, the target is to open the line by 15 August.

"Tentatively, we are targeting to operationalise the stretch by August 15," Rao was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

Given the current availability of trains, BMRCL plans to begin operations with just three trains, running at 20 minute intervals and halting at five to six stations. Rao said two more trains are expected to be delivered each month by Titagarh Rail Systems starting in August.

Providing an update on Phase 3 of the metro network, Rao said it would cover 44.65 km across two elevated corridors with 31 stations at an estimated cost of Rs 15,611 crore. 

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is likely to fund around Rs 7,577 crore. 

Pre-construction activities are expected to be completed by September, with tenders likely to be floated by October.

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