The Opening of Yellow Metro Line in Namma Bengaluru, which will be connecting RV Road to Bommasandra in Bengaluru is scheduled to open its operations by the end of 2024. However, due to BMRCL’s lack of commitment, there is a likelihood that the operations will face further delays.

Once operational, the Yellow Line will integrate Electronics City, a significant IT corridor and industrial hub, into the Namma Metro network, benefiting thousands of employees who currently contend with daily traffic congestion.

Delay in the opening of Yellow Metro Line

Initially slated for inauguration in 2020, the Opening of Yellow Metro Line in Namma Bengaluru has experienced delays due to various reasons. While civil work and track-laying on the 19 km stretch have been completed, the lack of train coaches from China has resulted in a further delay.

Manufacturing of Yellow Line’s coaches from China

In 2019, CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co Ltd was contracted to supply 216 coaches to Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited. Twelve of these coaches were to be manufactured in China, and the rest assembled by their Indian partner Titagarh Rail System Ltd (TRSL) in Bengal. By February 2024, the BMRCL had received a six-coach train prototype from China, with an additional five trains expected to arrive from the Kolkata-based Titagarh Rail Systems by the end of August 2024.

Testing driverless trains

With the arrival of the next two trains in mid-August, regular train run trials are expected to continue for the next three to four months, as suggested by the BMRCL Managing Director, Maheshwar Rao M. The trains are driverless, but a loco pilot will be present at all times. During the 3-4 month testing period, about 37 tests will be performed.

Upon completion, the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) will be approached for approval. Mr Rao suggested that the testing and approval process will speed up gradually as the trial run progresses. While CRRC-TRSL will provide 15 trains for the Yellow Line, the BMRCL hopes to start its commercial operations with just five to six trains. If progress continues as expected, BMRCL anticipates that the opening of Yellow Metro Line in Namma Bengaluru will be soon and is expecting it to be operational for commuters by the end of this year.

16 Metro Stations of Yellow Metro Line in Bengaluru

1. Rashtriya Vidyalaya Road (R V Road)
2. Raggigudda
3. Jayadeva Hospital
4. BTM Layout
5. Central Silk Board
6. Bommanahalli
7. Hongasandra
8. Kudlu Gate
9. Singasandra
10. Hosa Road
11. Beratena Agrahara
12. Electronics City
13. Infosys Foundation Konnappana Agrahara
14. Huskur Road
15. Biocon-Hebbagodi
16. Bommasandra

Yellow Metro Line to boost connectivity in Bengaluru

The trial runs with one train commenced in early March this year. In March, it was limited to the 12.5 km stretch between Bommasandra and Bommanahalli. In June, the trials were expanded to the complete 19 km track from RV Road-Bommasandra covering all the 16 stations on the Yellow Line making it seem we’re close to Opening of Yellow Metro Line in Namma Bengaluru. 

Testing driverless trains

With the arrival of the next two trains in mid-August, regular train run trials are expected to continue for the next three to four months, as suggested by the BMRCL Managing Director, Maheshwar Rao M. The trains are driverless, but a loco pilot will be present at all times. During the 3-4 month testing period, about 37 tests will be performed.

Upon completion, the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) will be approached for approval. Mr Rao suggested that the testing and approval process will speed up gradually as the trial run progresses. While CRRC-TRSL will provide 15 trains for the Yellow Line, the BMRCL hopes to start its commercial operations with just five to six trains. If progress continues as expected, BMRCL anticipates that the opening of Yellow Metro Line in Namma Bengaluru will be soon and is expecting it to be operational for commuters by the end of this year.

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