The CMRS has placed some conditions, which includes completing work on passenger amenities and safety precaution measures at the stations.
The 13.75 km Metro line which will run between K.R. Puram and Whitefield is expected to be ready by 10 March 2023.
This information was conveyed by the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) to the state government.
The agency is waiting for the green signal from the government to fix a date for inaugurating the line, according to a report by The Hindu.
As per a statement by a senior official, “We are utilising the workforce to maximum level. People are working day and night to complete all the finishing work. Meanwhile, compliance reports are being submitted to the CMRS as and when specific tasks are completed.“
“We are confident of completing pending works by 10 March. Once the decision is taken at the highest level on opening the line, we will do the same,” he added.
Furthermore, this development coincides with the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the state, later this month, to inaugurate the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway.
It is expected that the Metro line may also be inaugurated during the same visit.
Earlier, on 28 February 2023, the BMRCL had received authorisation from the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) following the inspection of the metro line.
The final statutory inspection was carried out by CMRS Abhai Kumar Rai and his team between 22 February and 24 February 2023.
The CMRS inspection is the final and most important stage in the commissioning of a metro line.
Upon granting safety clearances, the CMRS placed some conditions which includes completing work on passenger amenities and safety precaution measures at the stations.
A list of the instructions was issued, which has close to 60 conditions required to be catered to, before the line can commence for commercial operations.
In addition to passenger amenities and safety provisions at stations, the letter includes individual considerations for electrical, operational, engineering and signalling systems along with several location specific and a few general observations.
The detailed list as part of the authorisation letter of the CMRS, can be viewed through this link shared by Christin Mathew Philip.
With this upcoming network, the metro will expand its access to the IT hub located at the eastern parts of the city.
Whitefield is home to several multinational companies (MNC), including Infosys, Wipro, and IBM, with numerous tech parks and corporate offices.
The network will connect to more than 35 locations stretching towards Kengeri.
Moreover, with the establishment of numerous residential complexes in the area, it has gradually become a favoured and growing housing location in the city.
The new metro connectivity aims to cater to the demand with adequate commuting options.
The KR Puram-Whitefield line is aimed to significantly reduce the travel time between the stations.
The section will have 12 stations, also including a direct walkway to the International Tech Park (ITPL) from the Agrahara metro station.
Presently, with the two operational lines — purple and green line, the city’s metro network serves more than five lakh commuters daily.
With the opening of the eastern extension of the Purple Line to Whitefield, the Namma Metro is projected to bring an increased ridership from other parts of city.
This accessibility is set to have a significant impact in transforming a key commercial pocket of the city.
The remaining stretch to connect KR Puram and Byapannahalli, spanning two to three kilometres, is set to be operational by June this year.
