Sampige Road-Yelachenahalli Metro inspection from today

The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) will inspect the Metro line between Sampige Road and Yelachenahalli on the North-South corridor on Wednesday.

“The inspection will start in the afternoon on Wednesday. From May 25 to 28, we have pre-scheduled works. The inspection of the Metro will resume on May 29 and continue for three days, till May 31,” said personal secretary to the CRS, M N Athani.

The CRS will inspect tracks, viaduct, the alignment between the track and the train, signals and electrification systems as well as passenger amenities, according to senior officials in the CRS office.

“Since the Sampige Road-Yelachenahalli stretch includes a 4-km underground section, we have to examine minute details. We need to ensure steps have been taken to ensure safety of passengers during emergency in the tunnels. We will also conduct a smoke test to check whether the smoke will be cleared quickly. The efficiency of the control room will also be examined,” an official said.

The CRS will see whether Namma Metro has put alternative arrangements in place when a machine or utility breaks down.

“We can’t say that the safety certificate will be given immediately after the inspection. A conditional safety certificate is awarded if we find minor faults. If major problems are found, BMRCL will be given time to correct them and the inspection will continue later. For us, safety of passengers is the priority,” they said.

The opening of the stretch will operationalise the entire Phase 1 of Namma Metro project connecting the four corners of the city.

The ridership of the Metro is expected to increase phenomenally from the present 2 lakh to 5 or 6 lakh in the coming months.

Preparations for inauguration

BMRCL completed the trial runs on the Sampige Road-Yelachenahalli corridor nearly a week ago. Even as they invited the CRS for inspection, Metro officials have already begun making preparations for the inauguration so that the public get to use the Metro as soon as the CRS gives the green signal. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has also written to President Pranab Mukherjee, seeking his presence for the inauguration.