Even after the BMRCL singing the same tune of a December-end run, the corporation barely managed a hurried technical run on Monday ufffd after the CM's intervention
Even after the BMRCL singing the same tune of a December-end run, the corporation barely managed a hurried technical run on Monday-- after the CM's intervention
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Running short: The authorities conducted a technical run for only 2 km
between Byappanahalli and CMH Road
Sources in the BMRCL said chief minister B S Yeddyurappa was upset over the delay, as he had announced that the train would be operating commercially towards December end. "When the chief minister took stock of the situation last week, he insisted on running the train before the end of the month, as he did not want to face media queries," said the source. "So we had to conduct the technical run for a limited distance, even though the entire Reach-1 track is not ready," he added.
The Reach 1, between Byappana Halli and MG Road is a 7 km stretch, and as per the original plan 5 sets Metro train had to start operating commercially by December 31. Leave alone meeting the deadline, the corporation was not even in a position to conduct the test run, since the tracks were not cleared by the Railway department.
The authorities conducted a technical run for only 2 km between Byappanahalli and CMH Road. "It is definitely not a test run, but only a technical run," said B L Yashwanth Chawan, BMRCL spokesperson. The test run would be conducted next year in February once the entire track of the Reach-1 is ready. "We had never said the commercial operations would start in December. But we had a December deadline, and I can say we have fulfilled it," he added.
Sources said the corporation had no idea of conducting the technical run till Monday morning, but it had to hurry up after N Sivasailam, MD, BMRCL, issued a strict order to put up a show, since there was a lot of pressure from the government.
"We were not sure of the success of the technical run as it was not well-planed," said the source. "So we tried to avoid the media, and only after it ran for 2 km, we released the information to the media." According to sources, the city will not get the Metro rail service rail before April next year.
| Sequence of hurdles |
| While the civil work for Reach 1 is still underway, only 80 per cent work on six stations along the stretch is over. The third bar to supply power between the trails is to be ready; following which safety tests will be conducted. Having done that, the railway commissioner will issue a clearance certificate. After these formalities, the corporation can conduct the test run. Only then will the Metro be able to run commercially. |
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