Bangalore Metro Begins Trial Runs on Yellow Line along Hosur Road
Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) and CRRC’s engineers last night started trial runs on a 12.3 km portion of the Bangalore Metro’s 19.143 km Yellow Line (Reach-5) which will connect RV Road – Bommasandra through 16 elevated stations.
This much-delayed feat from Hebbagodi Depot was recorded roughly 4 years and 3 months after CRRC was awarded 73.92 km Bangalore Metro Phase 2 project’s 36 train (216 coach) rolling stock contract 4RS-DM in December 2019.
Per MoneyControl, the Yellow Line’s first trial run from Hebbagodi Depot started at 6:55 pm. The train first headed south and arrived at Bommasandra Station at 7:14 pm, switched tracks, then headed northwards to Bommanahalli where it arrived at 8:05 pm, and then headed back south towards Bommasandra where it arrived at 9:11 pm.
As always, the sole objective of this low-speed run at 5 kmph was to check for Schedule of Dimensions (SOD) clearances and observe the train’s interaction with the civil structure to ensure there are no physical obstructions along the way.
This section of the line was built by ITD Cementation India via Packages 1 & 2, with the final segment for its viaduct getting launched back in April 2021. The final of 27 track turnouts was cast by Texmaco Rail and Engineering in September 2021.
Here are a few videos posted on X:
View more videos here posted by Christin Mathew Philips on X.
BMRCL has so far received one train, a prototype, from CRRC at Hebbagodi Depot which arrived at Chennai’s Port on February 6 after a 13 day sea journey from the Port of Shanghai in China.
The train is capable of operating on GoA4 “driverless” unattended train operations (UTO) mode using Siemens’ communications-based train control (CBTC) signaling solution. But like other metro systems in India, it will initially run with an operator on GoA2 mode. SYSTRA is currently providing consultancy services to BMRCL to progressively accomplish GoA4.
BMRCL and CRRC’s engineers have over the past 3 weeks conducted a wide range of static and dynamic tests at Hebbagodi Depot’s test track (view video here).
And then on Wednesday, BMRCL invited the mainstream media to tour their facility and check out the train’s interiors. Here’s a sharp nice 5 minute clip from Deccan Herald on YouTube that details the ins and outs:
Since this an entirely new train design, the train during main-line testing will have to undergo oscillation tests and get certified by Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO). This statutory test within the main-line’s regular testing can take anywhere from 1-3 months and the results will be included in BMRCL’s report when it seeks the final safety clearance from the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS).
BMRCL on Wednesday announced that instead of July 2024, it is now looking at a December 2024 deadline to start operations on this line using 7 train-sets. This aligns with the guidance I have provided in the past of a Q4 2024 opening and I wouldn’t be surprised if the line really ends up opening in 2025. I’m hoping that’s not the case, but it remains to be seen when Titagarh (CRRC’s Indian partner) starts delivering their 34 train-sets.
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– TMRG
Hat-tip: WF_Watcher & Chirag Shetty
Excellent write up. Any clue on when the second train will arrive?
Naah. It will apparently be configured for DTG signaling, so will go to Purple / Green lines
Didn’t those Titagarh guys say that everything is ready over there n coaches will be delivered starting from Apr ??
Will yellow line have PSDs?
No psd on yellow line
Hi TMRG, your earlier estimate is on track to become accurate!
Aside from that, haven’t car bodies arrived at Titagarh’s plant around November last year? When is the first Titagarh-manufactured trainset projected to arrive?
Also do you think BMRCL will commence operations with a painfully long 15-minute headway b/w trains? Or do you think they will push the “deadline” further to March 2025, by which time all the trainsets, both from CRRC and Titagarh, will have arrived, according to reports in the Hindu?