Swastik-Peenya Metro stretch to open by month-end

Decks have been cleared for the launch of Namma Metro’s commercial operations between Swastik and Peenya through Yeshwanthpur by this month-end. 

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has received the much-awaited certificate from the Commissioner for Railway Safety (CRS). BMRCL officials are now confident that the commercial operations will begin on the 11.5 kilometre stretch by the end of February. 

Last month, the corporation received the Research Design and Standards Organisation certifications. This had enabled them to ply the Metro at a speed of 80 kmph on this stretch.

While BMRCL MD P S Kharola confirmed the CRS certification and the imminent launch of commercial operations, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told the Assembly that steps would be taken to start the operations at the earliest.

The 11.5 km stretch between Swastik and Peenya is almost double the distance covered the existing purple line linking MG Road and Baiyappanahalli stations. The new stretch had missed two earlier deadlines, but BMRCL had assured to open the line for public by February end.

The stretch, covering Reaches 3 and 3A between Peenya and Swastik is expected to be one of the busiest routes. BMRCL has estimated that the average daily ridership would be in the order of 45,000-50,000. 

It is learnt that BMRCL will ply 20 trains on the stretch, completing the journey in 10 to 12 minutes. During the trials, the trains had completed the full distance of 11.5 km in eight minutes at the speed of 90 kmph.

Meanwhile, work on Reach 3B between Peenya village and Hesaraghatta Cross station is also underway. Ninety-nine per cent of the work pertaining to viaducts is complete. The corporation said work was in full swing on Reach 2 between Magadi Road and Mysore Road. About 75 to 85 per cent of overall works have been completed at these stations. 

The work status of the stations on Reach 4 between K R Market to Rashtriya Vidyalaya is as follows: Ninety-eight per cent completed in KR Road, 97 per cent in Lalbagh, 86 per cent in South End Circle, 88 per cent in Jayanagar, 86 per cent in R V Road station. All viaduct works and 65 per cent of the station works on Reach 4A (Rashtriya Vidyalaya Road to Puttenahalli Cross) have been completed