Bengaluru Namma Metro: Yellow Line likely to open in early August, safety inspection after July 15

Bengaluru: Namma Metro's long-delayed Yellow Line is finally inching closer to reality and will likely open in early August, according to sources with direct knowledge of the matter. 

The 19.15-km line will connect RV Road with Bommasandra via Jayadeva Hospital, Silk Board Junction, and Electronics City. Its opening was delayed due to a shortage of trains. 

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) currently has only three trains, which will run every 25 minutes and stop at all the 16 stations. 

Since the BMRCL will be running driverless trains on this line, it needed Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) certification, a critical document to validate signalling tests. 

Siemens India Ltd-Siemens AG, the Yellow Line's signalling contractor, has submitted a draft report to a third-party assessor for the ISA certification, which is expected by July 7 or 8. 

The BMRCL will then formally approach the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (Southern Circle) to conduct the statutory safety inspection. 

"In all likelihood, the safety inspection will take place after July 15. This statutory exercise will take three to four days because this is a big line with many stations," a senior BMRCL official told DH. 

The inspection will include visits to all 16 stations, track checks and various operartional tests. One full day will be dedicated to visiting the Operational Control centre (OCC) at the Baiyappanahalli depot, according to the official. 

The BMRCL has already held informal discussions with the CMRS team and shared progress on the ISA, the official added. 

BMRCL Managing Director M Maheshwar Rao said that the statutory formalities should be completed by the end of July. "We'll announce the opening date once we get CMRS clearance," he told DH, adding that the launch could take place in the first week of August. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will likely attend the inaugural ceremony — provided the dates do not clash with the monsoon session of Parliament. 

For now, the BMRCL plans to hold the ceremony at the KSRP Grounds near Silk Board. 

Unlike earlier plans to open only seven stations, the BMRCL hopes to operate all 16. 

"Most probably, we'll operate all stations and run trains every 25 minutes. Opening only seven stations wouldn't make much of a difference. All three trains will be in service, and maintenance will be done at night," the first official said. 

Another official cautioned that services could be "chaotic" in the beginning. "There is pressure from the public to open the line. With limited trains, there may be teething issues," the official said. 

BL Yashavanth Chavan, Chief Public Relations Officer, BMRCL, noted that the Yellow Line would become fully operational by March 2026 once all 15 trains arrive. 

Full operations would mean trains running at a minimum frequency of five minutes during peak hours, he noted. 

"We're evaluating potential demand and other key parameters. A detailed assessment is underway," he said.