Bengaluru Metro: Fourth Yellow Line trainset by mid-September; peak-hour rush eased

BENGALURU: Users of Namma Metro's Yellow Line, who have to wait up to 25 minutes to board a train, may soon get some relief. BMRCL plans to introduce a fourth trainset by Sept second week.A BMRCL official confirmed that mainline testing of the new train, which was received last month, has already begun, and it will be deployed for commercial operations by mid-Sept.

Currently, three trainsets operate on the 19-km stretch, carrying over 60,000 passengers daily. The coaches run packed during peak hours, causing inconvenience to commuters. Train shortage has forced BMRCL to start services on the new line at 6.30am, unlike the Purple and Green Lines, where trains begin running from 5am. "On Sunday, we started trial runs on the mainlines. We conduct trial runs at night during non-revenue service hours.

There is a requirement to run the new train for at least 750km before deploying it for commercial operations. It will take another 7-8 days to complete all the required tests. We should be able to induct the train by the second week of Sept," a BMRCL official said. Sources said Titagarh Rail Systems, which reached an agreement with CRRC Nanjing, a China-based firm for local production, is likely to dispatch the fifth trainset by mid-Sept.

Though BMRCL expects the arrival of the fifth train in Sept, delays in the supply of bogies from CRRC to Titagarh Rail Systems will impact the manufacturing of the sixth trainset and subsequent ones. A source in BMRCL said as per the agreement between CRRC and its local manufacturer, motorised bogies, which include various components such as wheelsets, traction motors, gearboxes, suspension systems, and others, are sourced from China.

"As per the agreement between CRRC and Titagarh, the bogies required for local manufacturing are being sourced from China. However, there has been a delay in the delivery of these bogies, which are essential for the local production. Consequently, the production of the sixth trainset is anticipated to be postponed by 2-3 weeks. A team will soon visit Kolkata to hold a meeting aimed at resolving these issues," a BMRCL source said.

Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya said to avoid delays in manufacturing the coaches, there is an urgent need for airfreight of bogies required for at least two trainsets. "I had a detailed conversation with the MD of Titagarh on speedy supply of more trains for the Yellow Line Metro. He informed me they are ready to deliver up to eight trains by Sept 30; all other materials are ready except the bogies, which CRRC must bring from China.

The only practical solution is for CRRC to airfreight bogies for two trains. If shipped by sea, delivery will slip by 30-45 days, causing further avoidable delays.

.. I urge deputy CM DK Shivakumar and BMRCL to act immediately and do what is needed for airfreighting the materials. Timely delivery will not only save money but also ease commuter life and generate additional revenue...," Surya posted on X.