Security clearance has been issued with several riders including completion of pending works at the metro station before the line is opened for public use. , Photo credits: K. Murali Kumar
People living in East Bengaluru and professionals working in the Whitefield area have a reason to rejoice. On Tuesday, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) received the safety clearance from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety to start commercial operations between KR Puram and Whitefield.
Security clearance has been issued with several riders including completion of pending works at the metro station before the line is opened for public use.
Confirming the development, BMRCL Managing Director Anjum Parvez told Hindu That BMRCL will comply with the riders and inform the CMRS.
“Usually, while issuing security clearance, the CMRS makes certain observations and gives directions. Some pending finishing works will be completed in next 10 to 12 days. After that we will submit the compliance report to CMRS. We will start commercial operations after March 15.
To complete the work, additional workers from the earlier 1,200 to 1,400 are being engaged, he said.
The 13.71 km Namma Metro from KR Puram to Whitefield is part of the extended Purple Line from Baiyappanahalli to Whitefield (15.5 km).
The statutory inspection was carried out by CMRS Abhay Kumar Rai and his team from 22 to 24 February.
The team inspected operational safety, traction and power supply, signaling system, viaduct, track and curve, passenger amenities at metro stations, fire fighting system, passenger information system and others.
On the line, 12 metro stations will be opened: Whitefield, Channasandra, Kadugodi, Pattandoor Agrahara, Sri Sathya Sai Hospital, Nallur Halli, Kundalahalli, Sitarama Palya, Hoodi Junction, Garudacharapalya, Mahadevapura and KRpuram.
The line between Baiyappanahalli and KR Puram is expected to be commissioned by the middle of the year. Presently, under Phase I and Phase II of Namma Metro, BMRCL is operating 55 kms of metro lines.
With the opening of the Whitefield Line, people will be able to travel from Kengeri to Whitefield under the Purple Line. Green Line is operational from Silk Institute to Nagasandra.