RDSO in no hurry to allow Metro to up speed

Almost two years since it first became operational, the 6.7-km Reach-1 of Namma Metro continues to see trains move at a designated speed, much slower than what BMRCL wants.

This is despite the Corporation having been assured that it will be allowed to operate at a speed of 75 kmph after three months of operation.

Reach-1 was inaugurated in October 2011, but trains are operated at 67.5 kmph on straight lines, 45 kmph while entering the stations and 35 kmph at the curves on the stretch.

In June 2011, the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) had conducted oscillation trials at a maximum speed of 85 kmph, but had reduced the speed at which the BMRCL can commercially operate the trains.

“Although the results were satisfactory, the maximum speed of the Rolling Stock was arbitrarily fixed at 55 kmph in July 2011.

Extended trials

“Upon strong representation, RDSO deputed a testing team to Bangalore for extended trials on priority for two days, along with long confirmatory runs, at a maximum speed of 85 kmph,” a senior BMRCL official said.

Based on the fresh trials, the RDSO, vide a letter dated August 12, 2011, certified the maximum speed of 75 kmph applying mainline railway criteria, but later reduced even this to 65 kmph, owing it to certain issues with the Schedule of Dimensions (SOD).

BMRCL spokesperson B L Y Chavan said:“We have made representations with the Indian Railways and we are hopeful that the speeds will be revised.”

Howeve­r, representations in the past have not been fruitful. In one such communication, BMRCL, vide a letter dated May 8, 2012, sent a consolidated report on operation of Metro services after satisfactory completion of six months of revenue services with the request to permit maximum speed of 75 kmph as certified by RDSO.

A year after that, the BMRCL still operates the trains at the same speeds, with no clearance coming its way to operate at the desired 75 kmph.

The Corporation is now readying itself for oscillation trials on Reach 3 and 3-A (Swastik to Peenya), and sources said that the speed limit on this reach would depend on the fresh findings of RDSO during the trials.

Even this stretch has a few SOD clearances awaited by BMRCL.