Latest news with #BangaloreMetroRailCorporationLimited
Hans India
17 hours ago
- Business
- Hans India
Bengaluru Metro Phase 3A: Sarjapur–Hebbal Red Line Faces Cost Review by Centre
The metro line from Sarjapur to Hebbal, known as the Red Line under Phase 3A of the Bengaluru Metro project, is facing fresh challenges. With an estimated cost of ₹28,405 crore, this line is being dubbed the most expensive metro project in the city's history. As a result, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has been instructed to re-evaluate the project. Central Government Raises Concerns Over Cost of Sarjapur–Hebbal Metro Line According to initial estimates, the cost per kilometer of this corridor could be as high as ₹776.3 crore. The central government has expressed concern over this high per-kilometer cost, which is significantly above national benchmarks. Hence, a more thorough assessment of the project is now required. Re-evaluation by Independent Experts Even though Phase 3A was approved by the state cabinet in December 2024, the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is now carefully scrutinizing the project's cost. The Ministry believes that the projected cost exceeds acceptable standards. New Cost Evaluation Standards The revised cost estimates for metro projects now depend on 13 key factors, including alignment and construction, station buildings, power and traction systems, signaling, depots, train sets, etc. In particular, challenges in tunneling and fluctuations in equipment supply have been identified as reasons for cost escalation. Expert Report Expected in Three Months A report by independent experts is expected to be submitted to the central government within three months. Based on this report, a decision will be made regarding whether to approve Phase 3A as is, or propose modifications. This could lead to delays in the expected central clearance, which was originally anticipated by December 2025. The project completion deadline remains 2031. Costly Features of the Underground Metro Section Around 14.44 km of Phase 3A is planned to be underground. Construction costs for underground stations, tunnels, power systems, depots, and traction systems significantly increase the overall cost per kilometer. Typically, underground platforms are 240 meters long, but there is a proposal to reduce this to 190–200 meters to save on civil construction expenses. Speculations Regarding Tunnel Route Some recent statements by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar sparked speculation that the route alignment might be changed. However, two senior BMRCL officials have clearly denied any such changes, affirming that the alignment remains intact — from Sarjapur to Iblur (14 km) and Agara to Koramangala 3rd Block (2.45 km) as originally planned. Double-Deck Flyovers According to officials, the changes mentioned by the Deputy CM refer only to the double-deck flyovers included in the Phase 3A plan. These flyovers are limited to elevated segments and do not affect the overall metro alignment in any way. With inputs from GoodRetruns.
Hindustan Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Mohandas Pai slams Bengaluru metro authorities over Yellow Line delays, calls work culture ‘lousy'
Former Infosys CFO and civic commentator Mohandas Pai has sharply criticised the Bengaluru Development Minister and the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) over the latest setback in the launch of the Yellow Line of Namma Metro. Pai, known for his outspokenness on Bengaluru's urban infrastructure issues, took to X to express his frustration over what he called a 'very bad lousy work culture' and demanded accountability from those responsible for the repeated delays. Also Read - Truck driver killed in Mangaluru, authorities clamp down to curb communal tensions In a scathing post tagging Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Pai wrote: 'Minister @DKShivakumar, what is happening? Is there no value in deadlines? Delay after delay! Is there any management at all? They are letting you down very badly again and again. Please suspend the official responsible. Very bad lousy work culture. This could have been done long back.' Pai's outburst comes amid yet another delay in the launch of the 19.15-km Yellow Line corridor, which connects RV Road to Bommasandra. Initially expected to be operational by mid-2024, the project is now facing a likely pushback to late July or August, according to a Deccan Herald report. Also Read - Kamal Haasan's 'Kannada was born out of Tamil' comment sparks huge political outrage ahead of film release The latest hurdle stems from critical issues with the train signalling system. BMRCL officials confirmed that Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) approvals are still pending due to glitches detected in software datasets during the review by Siemens India Ltd, the contractor responsible for the signalling system. 'Train operations rely entirely on software. Even a small error triggers the system's fail-safe mode,' a senior BMRCL official explained. Though BMRCL has reportedly completed all other statutory tests, the ISA certification remains a key requirement before the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) can give the final clearance for operations. This fresh delay is particularly embarrassing given Deputy CM D K Shivakumar's public assurance that the Yellow Line would be operational by May 2025. However, with a history of missed deadlines, the project is once again in the spotlight — and under intense public scrutiny.
Hans India
27-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Train service from Bengaluru to Tumakuru considered better than Metro
Bengaluru: A view is gaining ground that it is better to implement a suburban railway project than a Metro project between Bengaluru and Tumakuru. Considering the project cost, high fare, work delay, environmental degradation, experts have suggested that it is better to expand the rail or suburban rail project than the metro. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has already submitted a feasibility report to the government regarding the metro extension project from Madavara in Bengaluru to Tumakuru. A 56.6 km line is being constructed from Madavara to Shira Gate in Tumakuru, and 26 new stations have been identified. Currently, the metro project cost is estimated to be Rs 540 crore per km. However, the cost of the suburban rail project will be only Rs 105 crore per km. The 57- km stretch with 26 stations requires an estimated cost of Rs 30,780 crore. The construction cost of the 148 km Bangalore Suburban Rail Project is Rs 15,767 crore. A few months ago, Namma Metro fares were increased by 71 percent. This has become a huge burden on passengers and has made many people give up on Metro travel. Currently, a one-way metro journey of 26 stations costs Rs 80. The journey from Shira Gate in Tumakuru to Majestic metro station covers 43 stations. As per the current estimates, the fare for this journey can be set at around Rs 150. The journey takes approximately one and a half hours. The maximum fare in the train is Rs 25. Currently, you can travel from Majestic to Tumakuru in an hour in the MEMU train for just Rs 20. Metro projects have not been completed and commercial traffic has started within a decade. The more the work is delayed, the more the project cost will increase. Also, the Metro work will make the traffic between Tumakuru and Bengaluru even more difficult. If a railway project is made, the existing track can be built next to it and the trains can be run. A six-coach train can accommodate 286 people sitting and 1,340 standing. More than 1,800 people can travel in a suburban train. Currently, our metro is running at a speed of 35 to 40 km per hour. Trains are running at a speed of 80 to 90 km per hour. Also, carrying big luggage is prohibited in the metro. Also, since the train also has toilet facilities, there is no need to pay separately for this. Many trees have already been felled by the metro project in the city. Environmentalists are worried that the metro expansion will also have an adverse effect on the environment. The Karnataka government's idea of extending the metro to Tumakuru is foolish. Instead, the focus should be on completing the pending routes at the earliest and further strengthening the network in Bengaluru. Metro is a solution for intra-city connectivity, not inter-district connectivity, says Tejaswi Surya, MP, Bengaluru South. The extension of the Metro to Tumakuru will not benefit the passengers. Instead, it will be a loss to the government exchequer. Rajkumar Dugar, railway activist and founder of Citizens for Citizens, says that if the railway connectivity is strengthened instead of the Metro, the public can travel at a lower cost.
Hans India
27-05-2025
- General
- Hans India
Namma Metro Yellow Line Faces Fresh Delay; Launch Likely by Late July or August
The much-anticipated Yellow Line of Namma Metro, connecting RV Road to Bommasandra over a stretch of 19.15 km, has been delayed once again and is now expected to open by late July or even August, according to sources familiar with the matter. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar had earlier set a target of May 2025 for the full commissioning of the line. However, the current delay stems primarily from a shortage of operational trains and pending safety certifications. In April, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) submitted documents to the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) for initiating statutory inspections.
Hans India
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hans India
Bengaluru's Yellow Line Metro Nears Launch: Partial Operations Expected by June
The Yellow Line of Namma Metro in Bengaluru is almost ready to open. It will run from R.V. Road to Bommasandra, a total of 19.15 km. BMRCL (Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited) got permission from the Railway Board for the new metro trains. A third train will be ready in a few days. The metro line was built some time ago but could not start because the driverless trains arrived late. Now, BMRCL says the metro may start running in June, but only on a few main stations at first. Before the metro can open, the safety team (called CMRS – Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety) must check everything. BMRCL has already sent most papers, and the last certificate will be sent soon. The safety check may happen by the end of May. After the check, BMRCL needs two more weeks to fix anything if needed. So, the metro might start in the middle or end of June. This Yellow Line is very important. It will connect south Bengaluru, including Electronics City, to the rest of the metro. But the project had many problems. In 2019, a Chinese company, CRRC, got a big contract to make metro coaches (train parts). They were supposed to build a factory in India, but they didn't. This caused big delays. BMRCL warned them many times and almost used their ₹372-crore bank guarantee. Later, CRRC joined with an Indian company, Titagarh Rail Systems, to solve the issue. After that, trains started coming, but still late. Trial runs (test runs) started on March 7, 2024, with two trains. Now, BMRCL is doing the final work to open the Yellow Line soon.
