The lakhs of commuters who are eagerly waiting for the six-coach Namma Metro train may be able to use it from Saturday.
The six-coach train will make its inaugural trip on Friday at 5.30 p.m. from Baiyappanahalli to Kempegowda station, Majestic. This trip, however, will be reserved for the VIPs, invitees, and the media. Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) has maintained that the new train will primarily be operated during the peak hours, and on the Purple Line to begin with.
“Once the VIPs disembark at the Majestic station, other passengers can take the train. But the peak hour may be over by then. But they will be able to use the six-coach train from 7 a.m. on Saturday,” said Mahendra Jain, Managing Director, BMRCL.
On Saturday, the six-coach train is expected to make a full first trip from Baiyappanahalli to Mysuru Road and back. From its second trip from Baiyappanahalli, the train would stop at the Vijayanagar station and turn back, in time to cater to the large number of government employees travelling towards the Vidhana Soudha and Cubbon Park stations, which means it will be a short-loop train, said Mr. Jain.
Though the train would make at least three round trips each in the morning and evening peak hours, Mr. Jain said the operation timings would be “dynamic” to cater to changes in passenger numbers.
Women’s coach
An entire coach reserved for women will become a reality with the debut of the six-coach train. Men will not be allowed to enter or use the first coach. This, however, will be applicable only on the six-coach train. The present arrangement on three-coach trains, where the first two entrances of the first coach are reserved for women, will continue.
‘No impact on frequency’
Allaying anxiety of commuters over any impact on the frequency of the trains owing to the operation of the six-coach train, Mr. Jain said the new train would permanently be a six-coach train. “It will not be broken up as its alignment changes. When it is not operational, it will be idling,” he said.
Next set in August
Commuters will have to wait till August for more six-coach trains. “The fabrication has started for whatever modifications have been suggested. So they (BEML) have started full-fledged production. From September onwards, they will be giving us six to nine coaches and from October, they will even be able to give us around 12 coaches,” he said.