Operations on Metro Reach-3 likely to be delayed

Hopes of commissioning the 9.9-km stretch from Malleswaram to Peenya (Reach-3 and 3A) sometime before November will remain just that for the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is yet to obtain all the clearances and final approval from the Commissioner for Railway Safety.

While the integrated trials on the stretch had begun last month, the Corporation is yet to avail crucial clearances, including the two aspects of the schedule of dimensions — which is essential for final clearance.

Further, the wait for a speed certificate from the Railway Design and Standards Organisation is delaying the process, even as the oscillation trials are yet to commence.
Only after all these procedures can the BMRCL invite the commissioner for inspection, whose findings will determine whether trains can be commercially operated on the stretch.

Other reaches

In its latest newsletter, BMRCL said that, “All foundations, piers, portals and segmental box girder erections have been completed on Reach-2 (Magadi Road to Mysore Road).”
It said that the remaining work on parapet erections (eight spans) railings (50 spans), expansion joint fixings, are in progress and that, overall, the progress of work completed on the viaduct is 99 per cent.

On Reach 3 (Peenya Village to Hesaraghatta Cross), the casting of 2,013 parapets of the 2,040 are complete and 69 of the 106 parapet erections are complete. Work on proceeding in full flow on Reach-4 with even station works having made sustained progress.