CMRS begins inspection of Bengaluru Metro's Yellow Line, inauguration likely in August
The fully elevated corridor, which features 16 stations, has faced multiple delays and was initially slated for completion in December 2021.
According to Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), further inspections — including those at the operations control centre — are scheduled for July 25. The CMRS is expected to examine key infrastructure including the tracks, viaducts, station structures, signalling and telecommunication systems, and other subsystems.
Once CMRS approval is secured and BMRCL complies with the conditions laid out, the Yellow Line will be opened to the public following final consultation with the Union and State Governments.
BMRCL is reportedly planning a high-profile inauguration event in August, with officials preparing to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to open the line. A private firm has reportedly been engaged to produce a documentary film showcasing the new corridor, including drone footage of the stations and route, for the inaugural programme.
The event is tentatively scheduled for the first or second week of August. Sources indicated that the PM is also expected to inaugurate the Green Line extension from Nagasandra to Madavara at the same event. The Yellow Line will connect key locations in southern Bengaluru, including RV Road, Ragigudda, Jayadeva, and BTM Layout to Electronics City, and further up to Bommasandra, which houses major manufacturing and biotech firms.
The Green Line extension will include the Majunathanagar, Chikkabidarakallu, and Madavara stations.
In the run-up to the inspection and depending on readiness, BMRCL has drawn up three possible operational plans. The first involves opening the entire 16-station stretch with three trains at a frequency of 24 minutes. The second plan proposes partial operation between RV Road and Bommasandra with a limited number of seven stations. The third option is to run services between Bommasandra and Central Silk Board alone.
The Yellow Line has suffered significant delays, primarily due to disruptions in the supply of metro coaches. CRRC, the Chinese firm originally contracted to supply the rolling stock, failed to meet the 75 per cent local manufacturing requirement mandated by the Make in India policy. The issue was exacerbated by the India-China border standoff in June 2020, complications with foreign direct investment (FDI) norms, and Covid-related disruptions.
To resolve the impasse, CRRC partnered with Titagarh Rail Systems in Kolkata to manufacture and deliver the coaches domestically. However, visa delays for Chinese engineers and the late arrival of propulsion systems from Japan further slowed down the testing and commissioning of the corridor.
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