After several years of delay, Bengaluru Metro’s DTG Purple Line prototype train, manufactured by China’s CRRC, will arrive at Chennai port by the end of this year and is expected to reach Bengaluru’s Penya depot by January 10, according to Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). .
Once the six-coach distance-to-go (DTG) train arrives in Chennai, it will be transported to Bengaluru via trailers. “The prototype train is expected to reach Bengaluru’s Penya depot by January 10. The first train will be deployed on the Purple Line. As it is a new rolling stock, extensive testing will be done,” said an official.
The prototype train sent from Shanghai port has left for India. Once the train is assembled in Bengaluru, static and electrical circuit tests will be conducted, followed by dynamic tests on the main line, according to officials.
“After these tests, approvals will be sought from agencies like the Research Design and Standards Organization and the Metro Railway Safety Commissioner,” the officials added.
A Yellow Line train arrives in January
Meanwhile, the first CBTC train for the much-awaited Yellow Line from Kolkata’s Titagarh Rail System Limited (TRSL) is expected to arrive at Hebbagodi depot by January 15, according to officials.
A single prototype train set, manufactured in China, was sent to Bengaluru and arrived at the Hebbagodi depot on February 14. Upon arrival, extensive static testing was carried out within the depot, including tests on the depot’s tracks.
Operations for the Yellow Line were initially scheduled to begin by December 2024, with delays in the delivery of the remaining train sets pushing back the opening. As confirmed by BMRCL last month, the Yellow Line, connecting RV Road to Bommasandra, is now expected to start in January 2025.
Despite its potential, the Yellow Line faced many obstacles. In 2019, China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) was awarded a ₹1,578-crore contract to supply 216 metro coaches to BMRCL.
However, CRRC faced difficulties in meeting its obligations as it failed to set up a manufacturing plant in India, as required by the contract. This led BMRCL to issue several notices to CRRC and consider encashing the ₹372-crore bank guarantee.
Recently, CRRC has partnered with Kolkata-based Titagarh Wagon to provide the rest of the metro coaches. Although this partnership has addressed some concerns, the project timeline continues to experience significant delays.
published – December 21, 2024 at 07:30 PM IST