Namma Metro will get the first set of three additional cars on February 14, though it may take a month before passengers can ride a train with six cars, one of which will be reserved for women.
The present trains with three cars are crowded even during the lean hours. Though the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) runs a train every four minutes during the peak hours, it has been proving insufficient to clear the crowds at the stations.
Now, the three additional cars will be attached to each of the three trains, doubling their carrying capacity.
The BMRCL had placed an order with the Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) in 2017 for a supply of 150 intermediate cars. Though the BEML was supposed to start the supply from June 2018, the BMRCL requested for the early delivery following complaints from commuters about packed trains.
"The work on the additional cars is going at a fast pace. The BEML will handover the three cars on February 14," BMRCL Managing Director Mahendra Jain said.
He said the three cars will be brought from the BEML to Byappanahalli depot where trial runs will be conducted.
"There are several tests, including speed and safety tests, before the cars can be put to commercial service. The six-car train will be introduced after the commissioner of railway safety (CRS) conducts an inspection and gives clearance. All this may take a month," BMRCL operations and management division Executive Director A S Shankar said.
He said a coach will be reserved for women in the six-car trains. It is expected that the first six-car train will run on the Purple Line (Byappanhalli-Mysore Road), which carries more people compared to the Green Line.
Total trains: 50
The capacity of three-car trains: 950
The capacity of six-car trains: 1850
Number of additional cars needed: 150
By December 2019, all trains are expected to have six cars.