Namma Metro’s Pink Line Gets Safety Clearance, May Open November 15

Pink Line elevated corridor likely to be inaugurated on November 15: CM

The 7.5-km elevated section of Namma Metro’s Pink Line has received safety clearance from the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety, bringing it closer to opening for public service. The clearance was issued on Wednesday.

The section runs between Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere and includes six stations: Kalena Agrahara, Hulimavu, IIM-B, JP Nagar 4th Phase, Jayadeva Hospital and Tavarekere.

Inauguration date yet to be confirmed

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar indicated that the elevated corridor could be opened in mid-November, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to visit the city for the Metro inauguration on November 15.

However, Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said the date had not been definitively confirmed by representatives of the Central government. He said they had only indicated a possible visit in mid-November.

Mr. Gowda said he was seeking an appointment with the representatives next week to confirm the inauguration date.

The State government had earlier hoped to open the line in August, but the launch was pushed back multiple times. Safety audits and the availability of Union government representatives for the inauguration delayed the deadline.

Safety inspection completed

V. Venkatasubramanian, Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety, Southern Circle, completed a three-day statutory safety inspection of the corridor earlier this month.

The inspection covered all six stations on the elevated section. The corridor received its safety sanction after the inspection and the subsequent clearance from the CMRS.

“After considerable effort, the safety sanction has been obtained for the corridor,” Mr. Gowda said.

He said the corridor was ready to begin public service once the Government of India provides a date for the inauguration. “We are ready to launch public service as soon as the Government of India gives a date for inauguration. We have already written to them requesting the date,” he said.

“We are eagerly looking forward to inaugurating the elevated Pink Line and taking another step towards serving people better by expanding the Namma Metro network,” he wrote on X.

Part of a longer Pink Line

The 7.5-km stretch ready for inauguration is part of the 21.3-km Pink Line. Its opening will increase the operational Namma Metro network from the current 96.10 km to 103.60 km.

The remaining 13.8 km of the Pink Line is an underground corridor. It will connect Dairy Circle to Tannery Road through M.G. Road and Shivajinagar.

Once the full line becomes operational, it will connect the southern part of the city with the central part and facilitate travel for many office-goers.

Source: The Hindu