Bangalore Metro | First six coach metro train flagged off by Karnataka CM

Chief minister HD Kumaraswamy flagged off the train from a decorated Byappanahalli metro station in the presence of deputy CM G Parameshwara and Union minister of state for housing and urban affairs Hardeep Singh Puri.

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Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy flagged off six coach metro train in presence of Union MoHUD minister Hardeep Singh Puri
Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy flagged off six coach metro train in presence of Union MoHUD minister Hardeep Singh Puri (photo: BMRC)
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Bengaluru: A major relief for passengers traveling in crowded metro coaches, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited’s (BMRCL’s) much-awaited first six coach Metro was flagged on Friday evening at 5:30 p.m.

Chief minister HD Kumaraswamy flagged off the train from a decorated Byappanahalli metro station in the presence of deputy CM G Parameshwara and Union minister of state for housing and urban affairs Hardeep Singh Puri.

The CM, along with dignitaries, also traveled in the new six-coach train till Kempegowda Majestic Metro station.

The new six-car train which will have one coach reserved for women will run along the Purple Line (Byappanahalli – Mysuru Road) and is expected to help meet peak hour rush. The Purple line was chosen since it is busier than the Green line.

With the addition of three coaches, each train will now be able to carry 1950 passengers, almost double the existing capacity of 975. BMRCL currently runs 50 three-car trains on both lines in a day. But still, it was not able to meet the demand during rush hour on Purple line.

“I can assure you we will be well within the deadline. We were given the order in March 2016 and an 18-month period is generally given for such contracts. Due to the urgent requirement for it, we delivered it by February 2017. Round-the-clock effort by BEML staffers and excellent co-ordination at every stage by BMRCL helped us achieve it,” said  Deepak Kumar Hota, Chairman and Managing Director, BEML.

“I can assure you we will be well within the deadline. We were given the order in March 2016 and an 18-month period is generally given for such contracts. Due to the urgent requirement for it, we delivered it by February 2017. Round-the-clock effort by BEML staffers and excellent co-ordination at every stage by BMRCL helped us achieve it,” said  Deepak Kumar Hota, Chairman and Managing Director, BEML.

It may be recalled that Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) had handed over the first three intermediate cars to BMRCL on February 14. Following several trial runs, BMRCL recently obtained safety clearance from the Commissioner of Railway Safety(CRS) and railway board. The second batch of three cars is expected to be delivered by BEML next month and subsequent addition of coaches will not require safety clearance from CRS, and internal safety checks would sufficient.

In March last year, BEML acquired the Rs 1,421-crore order to supply 150 sets of intermediate cars to expand the existing three-car trains by June 2019. This will convert all three-car trains to six by the end of next year. This will help a lot to get down the rush in the metro.

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