Fares of the metro train would be decided by next month and the trial run should be complete by December third week, BMRCL Managing Director Sivasailam said while addressing the members of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry on Monday. Stating that it is better to use smart cards instead of tokens, he said that the Metro would have smart cards even before the first commercial run.

The BMRCL is doubtful of starting work on Minsk Square portion, which will help in connecting East-West corridor, in January as scheduled. “The Corporation is awaiting government’s nod to start work at Minsk Square as the work needs to be integrated with the high speed rail link to the Bengaluru International Airport, if approved.”

The Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) suitable for Indian rock condition are being manufactured in Japan for the underground project and are likely to be shipped in by December.

He also said that tenders for the underground – II, North–South corridor’s underground stretch between Swastik and KR Market are likely to be finalised by the year end.

Further, he exuded confidence the Byappanahalli-Chinnaswamy Stadium stretch of the first phase of the project will meet the December deadline, he said: “Phase-I of BMRCL, between Byappanahalli and Mysore Road and from Hesarghatta Cross to Puttenahalli will be functional by March 2013.” Moreover, BMRCL has decided to name the MG Road and SV Road stations after Mahatma Gandhi and Swami Vivekananda, he said, adding, that the Central College underground station will be named after engineer-statesman M Visvesvaraya.