After the trials, however, operations can only begin after the Commissioner for Rail Safety gives the nod. Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. will finally begin trial runs in the underground section of the Green Line of Namma Metro from Sunday. While the BMRCL had previously said the trial runs would begin mid-February, officials are scrambling to meet the April deadline to throw open the entire Phase I of the project. The trials will be held between Sampige Road station and Yelachenahalli, which spans 12 km, including a 4-km underground section. Officials said trials will begin on the second tunnel within four days. They were carrying out last-minute checks at present. Since the beginning of trial runs between National College and the Yelachenahalli elevated stretch in November, BMRCL had initially stated that trials would begin in January, but shifted the deadline to mid-February, all the while maintaining that the line would be thrown open to the public in April. “We expect the trials to take 45 days, and we are looking to speed the process. As of now, all is working according to schedule for an opening in April,” said Pradeep Singh Kharola, Managing Director, BMRCL. After the trials, however, operations can only begin once the Commissioner for Rail Safety gives an approval. This can take up to 30 more days. Civil works While trials continue underground, there is much work to be done in the two underground stations of K.R. Market and Chickpete. According to BMRCL’s newsletter detailing progress until January-end, 20% of sidewall works, 8% of roof slab works, among other civil works had been completed. Similarly, at City Market Station, around 17% of ancillary build works were remaining. At the show-piece Kempegowda Interchange Station, 13% of the finishing works remain. Mr. Kharola said these works will be completed in time.

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