BMRCL begins quiet trial run of six-coach metro train

Namma Metro’s first six-car train is quietly chugging on the track in the dead of night as officials have completed a significant part of the tests required for ensuring the vehicle is safe to carry people.

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) officials have been keeping busy after receiving the first set of three intermediate cars from Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) on February 14.

After the formation of the six-car train, which involves adding the new intermediate cars to the midsection of the existing three-car trains, a series of tests have been conducted at static and running status within the depot.

The test of gauge, traction and brake system, signalling and others that require the train to run on the mainline began on Tuesday.

Conducting tests within the narrow window of time, between 12.30 am and 4.30 am, has been a big challenge for BMRCL officials, who want to complete all the tests by June.

BMRCL public relations officer U A Vasanth Rao said the testing of the six-car train on the mainline started on Monday. “The electromagnetic compatibility test is scheduled for the first week of May. After the successful completion of all the tests, a proposal will be submitted to the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) seeking authorisation to run six-car trains,” he said.

While the three-car train can carry 975 passengers, six-car trains have double the capacity. During the testing stage, however, the six-car train is carrying sandbags matching the average weight of nearly 2,000 people. After the mainline tests, the train will undergo service trials and run for 500 km on the mainline before the BMRCL approaches the CRS.

The BMRCL expects to complete all the processes and get a green signal from the CRS by June, paving the way for people to travel on the six-car train. The rush during peak hours has proved the existing three-car trains inadequate.

Officials expect the six-car trains will not only lead to a better travel experience but also increase the ridership to five lakhs per day.