Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is preparing to submit its compliance report on safety observations made during the inspection of the 7.5-km elevated section of the Pink Line, bringing the corridor closer to the statutory approval required before commercial operations can begin.
The Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS), Southern Circle, V. Venkatasubramanian, and his team inspected the elevated stretch from October 6 to 8. BMRCL received the list of observations on October 9 and is expected to submit its response next week, according to senior officials cited by The Hindu.
The compliance report will address the CMRS observations and include photographic evidence and technical details for review. BMRCL must demonstrate that the prescribed safety requirements have been met before the elevated section can open to passengers. The CMRS will examine the submission and decide whether to grant the statutory authorisation for commercial operations.
A senior BMRCL official said the observations were a routine part of the metro commissioning process and did not necessarily indicate major deficiencies. The official said BMRCL was preparing its response, which was expected to be submitted next week.
BMRCL has not disclosed the specific observations made during the inspection. However, officials said the remarks did not indicate structural defects or serious safety concerns. They described the inspection as part of the final verification process before passenger services begin. Another senior official said the corporation had anticipated most documentation requirements and minor modifications, which could help expedite the process.
The corporation is aiming to launch the elevated section around Dasara, subject to completion of the safety formalities and receipt of the CMRS authorisation. The opening has already been delayed several times, making the compliance stage the immediate requirement for the long-awaited stretch.
The elevated section is part of the 21.3-km Pink Line, which also includes a 13.8-km underground corridor. The full corridor will connect Dairy Circle, M.G. Road, Shivajinagar and Tannery Road, creating a north-south metro link through central Bengaluru. The underground section is separate from the elevated stretch currently undergoing final safety clearance.
Once the 7.5-km elevated section becomes operational, Namma Metro’s network will expand from 96.10 km to 103.60 km. Passenger services on the stretch cannot begin until BMRCL’s compliance report is examined and the required statutory approval is issued by the CMRS.
