Kengeri metro line ready for safety inspection

BMRCL on Thursday said the commissioning of the Namma Metro's Phase 2 extension line from Mysore Road to Kengeri is likely to happen in July as the second wave of Covid-19 has disrupted its plans to inaugurate the line in June.

"We had planned for completion of all works around June 20 but it may be delayed by 25 days. Work on the line has been completed fully and about 90 to 95% of the work on five stations has been completed. At the last station, the completion is 75% to 80%," said Additional Chief Secretary of Urban Development Department, Rakesh Singh, who is also the Managing Director of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL).

He said all the work will be completed if everything goes as per plan. "However, executing our plans has become difficult due to the Covid situation. Labour shortage is just one of the reasons. We want to apply for safety inspection (by the Commissioner of Railway Safety) by June 20," he added.

Earlier in the day, a communication by the office of Singh had said that the line was set for commercial operations in June. The official clarified the position while speaking to the press after reviewing the progress of work on the 7.53 km line.

The extended line comprises six stations: Nayandahalli, Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Jnanabharati, Pattanagere, Kengeri Bus Terminal, and Kengeri.

In the new line, a parking facility has been provided at Nayandahalli, Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Jnanabharathi along with two-level parking at Kengeri Bus Terminal, with a bus bay at both sides of the station. All stations will provide a road crossing facility for the public, except at Kengeri Bus Terminal Station which is located off-road. A foot over bridge connecting the adjacent BMTC Bus Depot and for crossing the road will be provided later, the release said.

The section will be the first section of BMRCL which will have QR Code-enabled payments at the Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) System. The AFC gates will be compatible with the national common mobility card.

The maximum fare for traveling from Baiyappanahalli to Kengeri would be Rs 56 and Kengeri to Silk Institute, which is the longest stretch, would be Rs 60.

BMRCL hopes that the extension will bring additional daily ridership of 75,000, an estimate made before the pandemic hit the city.