Railway Board Gives In-Principle CBTC Nod for Bengaluru Metro Pink & Blue Lines

BENGALURU (Metro Rail News): The Railway Board has given approval for the Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system for Bengaluru Metro’s Pink Line and the entire Blue Line up to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). This approval removes a significant hurdle for the Pink Line and allows Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) to conduct the remaining safety checks before starting passenger services.

Approval includes Bengaluru Metro’s Pink Line & Blue Line

The Railway Board’s approval applies to:

• Pink Line (Reach 6): Kalena Agrahara to Nagawara
• Blue Line Phase 2A and 2B: Central Silk Board to Kempegowda International Airport

The CBTC system will be a key part of the signalling and train control setups on both lines. For the Pink Line, the signalling approval was a major milestone that needed to be cleared before the elevated section between Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere can open for passengers. BMRCL mentioned that it had been working with the Railway Board and the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) over the past month to finish the approval process.

Blue Line approval comes before commissioning

The approval also includes the entire Blue Line from Central Silk Board to Kempegowda International Airport. BMRCL reported that the signalling approval for the Blue Line arrived well before its planned commissioning. This will help the corporation continue testing and finish the necessary safety certification process on time. The Blue Line is being built in two phases and will provide a direct Metro connection to Bengaluru’s international airport.

Pink Line moves closer to passenger operations

After securing signalling approval, BMRCL will now complete the remaining safety and regulatory requirements for the Pink Line. The next steps include:

• Interim Speed Certificate from RDSO
• Statutory inspection of rolling stock by the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS)
• Trial runs on the corridor
• Final statutory inspection
• Safety clearance to open the line to passengers

Commercial passenger services cannot start until the required inspections and final clearances are completed.

Pink Line project

The Pink Line is part of Namma Metro’s Phase II expansion. The full corridor will connect Kalena Agrahara with Nagawara. The first section set for opening includes the elevated stretch between Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere. The signalling approval is therefore an important step towards putting this section into passenger service.

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