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Bangalore, Sep 2 : In a classic case of putting cart before the horse, the state-run Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) Friday began selling pre-paid travel cards for its much-awaited "Namma Metro" service slated to commence later this month.

"We are selling travel cards of different denomination ahead of commencing the service as we do not want commuters to face inconvenience and delays in boarding the coaches due to last-minute rush at ticket counters," BMRCL managing director N. Sivasailam told reporters here.

The corporation is waiting for clearance certificate from the Railway Safety Commission, which is set to inspect the 6.7-km first phase of the Metro (Reach-1) next week from M.G. Road station to Baiyyapanahalli terminal in the eastern suburb of this tech hub.

"The railway safety commissioner (D.K. Singh) will inspect the Metro facility, stations, signalling system and commuter facilities, including safety measures from Sep 6-10 to certify them for operationalising the Metro service," Sivasailam said.

Once the clearance is given, Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda will invite Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to dedicate the Metro service to the nation on a date convenient to him.

"I will soon meet the prime minister in New Delhi and personally request him to inaugurate the Metro service on a date convenient to him, as it would be befitting to do so since he (Singh) had laid the foundation stone for the project five years ago (June 24, 2006) in the city," Gowda told reporters after launching the sale of Metro travel cards at a function here.

Gowda, Transport Minister R. Ashoka and Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar purchased the first three smart cards of Rs.100 denomination, which will entail them to commute in the air-conditioned Metro coaches three times (to and fro) at a cost of Rs.15 per trip from one end (M.G.Road) to other (Baiyyapanahalli).

Inspecting the project work August 30, though Gowda said he would invite the prime minister to inaugurate the Metro service Sep 15 or 17, he admitted Friday that the inaugural run may take place Sep 25 or later as per Singh’s convenience.

The corporation is expecting about 25,000-30,000 people to commute daily on the route as the service is expected to operate from 6 a.m. to midnight.

"The three coaches can take a combined load of 750-800 people per trip which will be operated at 8-10 minute frequency on both ways. With the duration of each trip being 12 minutes, the trains will make five trips an hour and 108 trips a day," Sivasailam said.

The corporation has also tied up with mobile service operator Airtel to facilitate commuters to re-charge their travel cards at any of its retail outlets.

"The travel card resembles a credit or debit card with an electronic chip embedded inside. It can be used for performing multiple journeys and loaded with various types of tickets. The commuter will have to tap the card at the entry gate before boarding the train and also tap the card at the destination. The cost of the travel will be deducted from the card as per the distance traveled," Sivasailam added.