Will Metro keep its Diwali date?

With CRS giving the green signal, launch of the Metro could happen anytime next month, or whenever a date is finalised with the PMO

Will Metro keep its Diwali date?

With CRS giving the green signal, launch of the Metro could happen anytime next month, or whenever a date is finalised with the PMO

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After much delay and a series of rejections, the Commissioner of Railway Safety, D K Singh has given operational clearance for the Bangalore Metro.

Following this, the state government is hoping to launch services after Dusshera, but before Diwali and a meeting is being arranged with the PMO's office to discuss a date for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to attend the inauguration.

After missing six deadlines, the Metro is likely
to become operational some time shortly

Since CRS clearance was the last hurdle in the launch of 'Namma Metro', the state government is now making preparations to get the launch off to a start.

However, the earlier permitted maximum speed on straight sections and curves will be seeing a slight change and trains will be slowed by 10 per cent in view of safety.

"We are hoping to launch services after Dusshera, but before Diwali. Tomorrow, a senior minister will hold a meeting with the PMO to get a date fixed for the Metro inauguration," said R P Jagadish, Media Advisor to Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda.

The Research Design and Standards Organization (RDSO), Lucknow, had earlier permitted a maximum speed of 75 km/h on straight sections and 45 km/h on curves while issuing the speed certificate to Metro officials.

However, CRS D K Singh has mainly made the observance that the maximum speed, at which Metro trains could run, should be further reduced by 10 per cent.

"The speed restriction was imposed since the stretch has several sharp curves, which could not take the speed authorised by RDSO.
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Therefore, I have asked them to monitor 'Rail and Wheel Wear' for six months, after which I can take a fresh look into the maximum speed," Singh said.

With the new speed limit, the maximum speed at which the Metro train would run, will be 67.5 km/h on straight sections and 40.5 km/h on curves.

The CRS has also asked Bangalore Metro authorities to soon get the design report for viaducts and station structures approved by the Railway Board, as it has been pending from February.

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