Denying that BMRCL was lagging behind with the testing process on Reach-1 (Byappanahalli-M G Road) of the Phase-1 of the project, Sivasailam said: “There is no delay in the testing process. We ‘should’ be able to get the train commercially moving as mentioned by the Chief Minister.”
Sivasailam did not explain how the testing on the main track, which had began in the last week of January and has been facing some glitch, would be completed before end of March, in order to have commercial operations from April. The BMRCL had said that the completion of testing (running the train for about 3,000 km), was crucial to avail the safety certificate from the commissioner of Railway Safety. All Sivasailam said in defence was: “Who told you there is a delay, we can get the certificate in time to begin commercial operations by April.”
He also asserted that the Metro project would be completed by 2013 and the work was well on schedule. The tunnel digging and concreting machine, he said, will be deployed on the Metro project from February 20 with the first machine arriving in the City shortly, and the second one will go into operation by March 20.
Break even by eight years
Asked about the time BMRCL would need to break even, he said: “We should be able to breakeven in about eight years.”
Sivasailam was speaking, after he signed a memorandum of understanding with Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) Managing Director Syed Zameer Pasha, for the integrated bus passes and the feeder services to be provided by the latter.
State Transport Minister R Ashoka said: “In case, if the users of this card die while travelling, the Government will give compensation of Rs one lakh and those who get injured will get an amount of Rs 25,000 towards compensation.