Write Comment     |     E-Mail To a Friend     |     Facebook     |     Twitter     |     Print

Although the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is carrying out work on a war footing, there are no signs of the Metro train chugging out on Ugadi (April 4). The reason: regulatory clearances have not been obtained yet, while the civil works are far behind schedule.

"Ugadi is an auspicious day and it would have been good to launch services on the day. But, public safety is above all and we must not be hasty," said M N Srihari, advisor to the CM on infrastructure. "It will be better we wait for the safety clearance before finalising the date for inauguration," he added.

While the safety measures are to be cleared by the Commissioner for Railway Safety (CRS) before the service is thrown open to the public, the process has not been started yet. Although the BMRCL authorities have stated that a report on safety measures had been sent to the CRC, officials there have contradicted this claim saying that they had not received one.

"It is not like absolutely no reports have been sent to the CRS. A series of reports have been sent, while we are in touch with them. The CSR is expected to conduct the spot inspection in a few days. Following this, we will get clearance," said B L Yashwant Chavan, spokesperson of BMRCL.

For amenities, including escalators and lifts inside the stations, BMRCL needs clearance from local police and the fire brigade officials. As, the  work have not been completed and the authorities have not been asked for clearance. "So far no request has come from the BMRCL, but once it comes we will look into it," said a senior police officer.

CM playing prank?

Yeddyurappa appears to be pulling off an April fool’s prank on Bangaloreans, much ahead of the actual date. The CM had said earlier that he would invite the Prime Minister to inaugurate the Metro on April 4. However, he did not mention anything about it when he met him in Delhi on two occasions. Yeddyurappa met the PM last Monday and on Saturday (March 26). Nothing about an inauguration invitation being extended.