Title - Trial runs for Metro's Reach 3 begin

Peenya-Yeshwanthpur line sees Namma Metro trains plying a distance of 5.3 km


Monday's trial run between Peenya and Yeshwanthpur passed off without any glitch - DNA
After missing its earlier deadlines, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is chugging closer to see a Metro train ply on Reach 3 (Peenya to Yeshwanthpur). On Monday, a trial test on the line was carried out from Peenya to Yeshwanthpur, a distance of 5.3 km.

There are four metro stations between the two destinations on Tumkur Road: are Yeshwanthpur, Yeshwanthpur Industrial, Peenya and Peenya Industrial.

BMRCL spokesperson Yeshwanth Chavan said, “A round trip was carried out from Peenya to Yeshawanthpur without any glitches on Monday. Tuesday onwards, we will carry out trial runs from 8 am to 8 pm. Trial runs are being done to assess various factors like mainline fitness, signalling, power supply on the third rail system, and other things.”

On being asked when the commissioner for railway safety (CRS) would inspect the project, he said, “Once we are done with the trial runs, there will be oscillation trials. We cannot say now as to when will CRS inspect the project.”

The BMRCL is hopeful of extending trial runs up to Sampige Road in the mid-July. Chief minister Siddaramaiah is expected to inaugurate the trial run covering a distance of 10.43 km (both Reach 3 and Reach 3A) from Peenya to Sampige Road.

On the other hand, Reach 3(B) from Peenya Industrial to Nagasandra will take at least six months more for trials to begin.

“The station as well as viaduct work is remaining. We expect the track work to be complete in another two months, and the line ready for trials by December,” the official said.

Meanwhile, aggrieved residents affected by the realignment of the Namma Metro line from RV Road to Bommasandra made a requisition to the state government suggesting an alternative plan. The residents submitted the plea to chief secretary SV Ranganath and in-charge minister for Bangalore, Ramalinga Reddy.

The alternative plan includes a reduced acquisition of land and destruction of private property. Residents claim that the plan proposed by them requires acquisition of 3000 sq ft of land from Jayadeva Hospital, as opposed to over 40,000 sq ft of land in the earlier plan. Apart from this, two private properties will also have to be acquired.

The residents have also suggested that the station should be constructed by removing two ramps connecting BTM Layout and Jayanagar, and another connecting Bannerghatta Road with BTM layout. The station can be constructed on the junction of Bannerghatta Road and BTM Road.

This will both reduce the cost of construction of the line and also save numerous properties along the way, said K Ramesh, coordinator for the Jayadeva Metro Victims Association. Ramesh said residents would meet BMRCL MD N Sivasailam on June 15.