New Train to Ease Peak-Hour Pressure
Currently, only three trainsets are operating on the 19-km Yellow Line, carrying more than 60,000 passengers daily. Due to overcrowding, trains on this line start later than other metro routes—beginning at 6:30 am instead of the usual 5:00 am. This has left passengers facing delays of up to 25 minutes, especially during morning and evening peak hours.
According to BMRCL officials, the fourth trainset underwent mainline testing last week and will complete 750 km of trial runs before entering commercial service. “We expect to deploy the train for passenger use by mid-September,”.
Manufacturing Delays and Import Challenges
While commuters can expect improvements soon, delays in the supply chain may affect future trainsets. The new coaches are being manufactured by Titagarh Rail Systems in collaboration with China-based CRRC Nanjing. However, essential motorised bogies—housing traction motors, gearboxes, suspension, and other components—are being sourced from China. Slow deliveries have already pushed back the production schedule for the sixth trainset by up to three weeks.
A BMRCL source confirmed that a meeting will be held in Kolkata to resolve the issue. Meanwhile, the fifth trainset is expected to arrive by mid-September, though its induction could also depend on timely delivery of bogies.
Political Push for Faster Delivery
Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya has urged the state government and metro authorities to expedite the process by airlifting the bogies instead of shipping them by sea, which would delay delivery by up to 45 days. In a statement on X, Surya said, “The only practical solution is for CRRC to airfreight bogies for two trains. Timely delivery will not only save money but also ease commuter life and generate additional revenue.”
What This Means for Commuters
For thousands of daily passengers, the additional trainset is expected to reduce overcrowding and shorten waiting times. However, sustained improvements will depend on how quickly the manufacturing delays are resolved and whether additional trainsets are delivered on schedule.
As Bengaluru continues to expand its metro network, timely deployment of new coaches will play a critical role in ensuring smoother rides and encouraging more citizens to switch from private vehicles to public transport.
