Commercial operations of the much-awaited six-coach Namma Metro train will begin this Friday in all likelihood as the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has got clearance from the Railway Board.
Mahendra Jain, Managing Director, BMRCL said the train will be operated on the Purple Line (Baiyappanahalli to Mysuru Road).
The first coach will be reserved for women, as promised before, he said. The BMRCL had, earlier this year, reserved the first two entrances of the first coach for women.
The six-coach train is expected to bring huge relief to lakhs of passengers who have been complaining about the trains being jam-packed, especially during the peak hours.
The carrying capacity of the extended train is close to 2,000 passengers and it can be operated at a speed of 80 kmph.
Short-loop trains
The BMRCL also plans to operate the six-coach train as a short-loop train during the peak hours to clear the rush at metro stations, most likely between M.G. Road and Majestic or up to Vijayanagar.
“This is the first six-coach train we are operating. We have tentatively fixed Friday as the date to operate the train. We are in the process of completing the required modalities before Friday. Getting clearance from the Railway Board is a big booster. By June 2019, the entire fleet will be integrated to six-coach trains,” said Mr Jain.
The BMRCL received three coaches from BEML Ltd. in February, and had approached the Commissioner of Rail Safety (CRS) seeking clearance in April after various levels of tests.