Metro can't keep promise of more coaches by year-end

The government had promised more coaches and easier Metro commutes by December, but no improvement is in sight as the year draws to a close.

Additional coaches aren't scheduled to arrive in December, a source in Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) said.

"We have 50 trains and at least half of them have to
be converted to six-coach trains. That means 75 intermediate coaches. We have requested BEML to deliver the coaches from January," a source said.

BEML told DH it was making all-out efforts to supply additional coaches in January, "even though, as per the contract conditions, the schedule for supply is from June 2018 onwards".

Starting January, BEML will deliver three coaches every month, scaling up to six by June.

"BEML has established one more line of production to increase the supplies from June. We are confident of delivering all 150 cars much in advance before the deadline of December 2019," a BEML spokesperson said.

BMRCL's delay in placing orders has resulted in crowding of trains during peak hours. Coaches will continue to be packed till June.

Other priorities
The source said the focus was on completing Phase 1, which had missed several deadlines.

"By June, we hope to add additional coaches on six trains. BEML officials said they were working overtime to meet the demand," the source said.

In June, Bengaluru Development Minister K J George told the Assembly Metro trains would have women-only coaches by December.

"The work order was issued to BEML in March. By December, six coaches will be available," he had said in reply to a question.

That is not what the Rs 1,421-crore contract given to BEML indicates.

"The supply of intermediate Metro cars to BMRCL shall commence from June 2018 and be completed by December 2019," a BEML document said.