Bengaluru Yellow Line Metro gets approval from the Railway Board for its rolling stock, CMRS inspection likely by end of May
Bengaluru's long-awaited Yellow Line Metro is inching closer to operational status, with the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) securing approval from the Railway Board for its rolling stock. This marks a key milestone for the 19.15-km corridor stretching between R.V. Road and Bommasandra.
Officials stated that a third train set is expected to be ready for service within a week. Though the physical infrastructure of the Yellow Line has been completed for several months, its commissioning has faced repeated delays, primarily due to the late delivery of the driverless train sets. Officials said that commercial operations are likely to commence in June, initially with limited service.
BMRCL officials revealed that they are awaiting the announcement of the inspection schedule by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS), Southern Range. 'Most of the required documentation has already been submitted. The signalling certification will be sent shortly,' said an official, expressing hope that the statutory inspection will take place by the end of May.
The CMRS inspection is a mandatory procedure before operations can begin. 'The review will include checks on tracks, stations, fire safety systems, entry and exit points, and the train sets themselves. Post-inspection, BMRCL will need approximately two weeks to implement any suggested modifications. Based on this timeline, the Yellow Line could begin partial services by mid or end of June,' official added.
Multiple delays, hurdles
This corridor holds significant importance, as it will connect southern parts of the city — including the major IT hub at Electronics City — to the rest of the metro network. However, the project has faced several hurdles along the way.
In 2019, Chinese company CRRC was awarded a ₹1,578-crore contract to supply 216 coaches. A key requirement was to establish a manufacturing facility in India, which the company failed to do. This caused major disruptions in the project's progress. BMRCL responded by issuing multiple notices and considered invoking a ₹372-crore bank guarantee.
To resolve the issue, CRRC entered into a partnership with Kolkata-based Titagarh Rail Systems. Although this collaboration helped restart deliveries, delays have continued.
Trial runs on the Yellow Line began on March 7, 2024, using two train sets currently available. BMRCL is now preparing for the final steps before opening the corridor to the public.
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