Mysore Road

Namma Metro

BMRCL

Bangalore

We are confident to throw open two Metro lines this year. The Metro line on Kanakapura Road will be opened on Independence Day and the Mysore road Metro stretch will be ready on Rajyotsava day — Ajay Seth, Managing Director, BMRCL

Metro station

Representational image

Kanakapura Road stretch to open on August 15,on November 1is finally stepping on the gas to meet the expectations of traffic-stricken commuters. Two of the six stretches, coming under the 72-km Phase II project, are slated to be operational this year. While the 6.5-km Metro extension on Kanakapura road up to Anjanapura Township is expected to be ready on August 15, the Metro has scheduled to throw open the 8-km line on Mysore road on November 1.“We are confident to throw open two Metro lines this year. The Metro line on Kanakapura Road will be opened on Independence Day and the Mysore road Metro stretch will be ready on Rajyotsava day,” Ajay Seth,Managing Director told BM.Although such announcements have been made even in the past, it’s for the first time theMetro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) has announced a specific date. Field visits to ascertain the physical progress have been done and multiple sources in the BMRCL and outside have also confirmed that the two deadlines are achievable only if the trial runs start three to four to 4 months before the launch date.Currently, the tracks are already laid on the 6.5-km stretch from Yelachenahallito Anjanapura Township Metro station. “The materials for installing the third rail have already arrived. The track work will begin in a day or two. Except Anjanapura station, the remaining four stations are in the final stages of completion. We will be able to start trial runs by the end of March,” a senior BMRCL official said.The completion of a small stretch leading to the depot from Anjanapura Township, however, will be delayed as BMRCL is yet to take the possession of a lane from the custody of NICE and the forest department. Similarly, the officials plan to open only the stretch between Nayandahalli and Kengeri on November 1. The remaining portion upto Challaghatta depot has been delayed due to land acquisition issues.The other four lines of Phase II are unlikely to be ready this year. While the target for the completion of the 15-km line between Baiyappanahalli and Whitefield has been set for sometime in 2021, the 21-km RV Road - Bommasandra stretch might take another two years from now. The Metro extension on Tumkur Road till Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) and the Gottigere - Nagawara stretch are unlikely to be ready any time before 2023.“Experience from Phase I has taught us that these kinds of statements are just words in the air. They won’t know for sure till the trial run ends and the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) inspection happens. One advantage is that a lot of time will be saved and this time it will be faster to open the line since the BMRCL will be running only the existing certified train and not the new ones,” a Metro enthusiast said.