The K R Puram-Whitefield line’s launch will provide metro access to Bengaluru’s eastern IT hubs, reducing traffic congestion in the region.
The Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) began three-day statutory inspections of the 13 km KR Puram-Whitefield metro line on Wednesday (22 February).
The K R Puram-Whitefield line is part of the 15.25-kilometre Whitefield-Baiyappanahalli extension of the Purple Line.
The extension will be launched in two phases, according to Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL).
The CMRS inspection is the final and most important stage in the commissioning of a metro line.
CMRS would inspect civil, mechanical, electrical, and signalling systems, as well as station work. If everything is in order, the CMRS will issue a certificate within two to three days.
However, if CMRS makes a remark and asks for adjustments, compliance will take an additional 10 days.
Speed trials are currently being conducted with five train sets at 90 kmph on the straight section of the stretch and 80 kmph on the curved section.
BMRCL Managing Director Anjum Parwez expressed confidence that the station work would be completed in time for commercial operations, which will take 15 days or more, reports Hindustan Times.
The K R Puram-Whitefield line’s launch will provide metro access to Bengaluru’s eastern IT hubs, reducing traffic congestion in the region infamous for its traffic jams.
The remaining 2.5 km length is delayed because of the erection of Open Web Girder (OWG) over the railway crossing before Byappanahalli depot.
The OWG was set up on 3 February. The stretch between Byappanahalli and K R Puram is scheduled to open in June.
Trail runs were conducted on Namma Metro’s Baiyyappanahalli-Whitefield extension of the Purple Line in October.
The 15.25 km Purple Line extension project has repeatedly faced delays due to legal wrangling between environmental and local authorities, over relocating around 60 trees near Benniganahalli Lake.
The completed Byappanahalli-Whitefield stretch will include stops at Mahadevapura, Garudacharpalya, Hoodi Junction, Seetharama Palya, Kundalahalli, Nallurhalli, Sri Sathya Sai Hospital, Pattandur Agrahara, Kadugodi, Channasandra, and Whitefield.
The BMRCL will use seven train sets to service the KR Puram-Whitefield section once it is open to the public.