No test run for Metro today

Instead, the BMRCL is planning to launch commercial operations on April 4, on the day of Ugadi

No test run for Metro today

Instead, the BMRCL is planning to launch commercial operations on April 4, on the day of Ugadi

Political turbulence might have put brakes on the formal inspection run of the metro train, but it only helped a smooth test ride on Sunday.

Twists and turns: The test runs would be conducted regularly from
Tuesday until March 15. Pic/Satish Badiger

The Namma Metro chugged through the entire stretch of 6.7 km of reach-1 of the first stage between Byapppana Halli and MG Road, while the inspection run scheduled for today was cancelled.

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and Union Minister Kamalnath were expected to oversee the performance of the train on its first ever test run, but the CM expressed his inability to attend in the backdrop of the ongoing political turmoil.

This prompted the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) to go for the test run which was pressure-free with no higher authorities for srutinising.

"We are happy that it was successful," said N Sivasailam, MD, BMRCL, who led the trail run. "Today's programme is cancelled because of administrative reasons."

The train is expected to cover 2,500 km during the test run and the BMRCL is aiming at launching commercial operations on April 4, the day Ugadi festival is celebrated.

"We are planning to throw open the service to public as a festival gift, and I hope we will meet the deadline," said Sivasailam.

Sunday's ride was smooth up to CMH Road in Indiranagar, but it developed a perpetuity problem with the third rail system, and had to halt at each station for more than 15 minutes. The stretch has six stations and the trip from Byappana Halli to MG Road took almost 2 hours.

"We had to check the cables near the tracks at the stations," said a BMRCL official. "This was apart from altering the tracks."

A BMRCL staffer said, "It was different Sunday experience for me, with just us staffersu00a0 in the train.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels