A delegation of high-ranking officials from the Bengaluru Metro recently undertook a visit to the facilities of the China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) in China.
This visit holds significance as CRRC is the company responsible for the delivery of metro coaches intended for deployment on the newly inaugurated K R Pura to the Whitefield metro line and the forthcoming Yellow Line, expected to commence operations by December 2023.
In 2019, CRRC secured a substantial contract worth Rs 1,578 crores to provide 216 metro coaches to the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL). However, they faced challenges in fulfilling this contract due to the absence of a mandated manufacturing facility in India.
A senior official stated, “The company is now prepared to deliver two sets of six-coach trains within the current year. The remaining coaches will be provided to BMRCL gradually. Our officials travelled to China to oversee the process and facilitate the transportation of these coaches” reports The Hindu.
Previously, BMRCL had issued multiple notifications to the China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation, even considering the encashment of the Rs 372-crore bank guarantee.
However, the Chinese company has now formed a partnership with Titagarh Wagons, a company based in Kolkata, to supply the remaining coaches starting in September.
Yellow Line
The Yellow Line is part of Phase 2 of the Bengaluru Metro project and will connect R V Road in the south of the city to Bommasandra, a fast-growing suburb on the outskirts of Bengaluru.
The 19-kilometre-long new metro line passes via Jayadeva, Central Silk Board and Electronics City.
The yellow line will include stops at R V Road, Ragigudda, Jayadeva Hospital, BTM Layout, Central Silk Board, Bommanahalli, Singasandra, Electronic City, Bommasandra, Hongasandra, Kudlu Gate, Hosa Road, Beratena Agrahara, Konappana Agrahara, Huskuru Road, and Hebbagodi.
Beginning at the RV Road station on the Green Line, this new Yellow Line will link with the upcoming Pink Line (Gottigere-Nagawara) at Jayadeva Hospital and the Blue Line at Central Silk Board Station before ending at Bommasandra.
Originally the whole yellow line was scheduled to be finished in 2021, and the deadline was later pushed back to December 2022.
According to the 2011 DPR (detailed project report), residents of Jayanagar, BTM Layout and HSR Layout as well as those who work in Electronics City and Bommasandra Industrial Area would benefit from the line.