Finally, it will be Namma Metro

BANGALORE: The countdown for the inauguration of Reach 1 of Namma Metro has begun with the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation receiving the much-awaited safety certificate from the Commissioner of Rail Safety (CRS) on Friday.“Yes, we have received the safety certificate from CRS. It is essentially an authorisation that opens Reach 1 to the public,” said Yashwant Chawan, public relations officer, BMRCL.The safety certificate was the last formality before Reach 1 could be inaugurated.With Prime Minister Manmohan Singh set to return after September 27 from a United Nations summit, the city will get its first metro ride only when the Prime Minister declares a date.The inauguration of the 6.7 km long stretch between M G Road and Byappanahalli was pending because D K Singh, now ex-commissioner of Rail Safety, was yet to submit his report after conducting a week-long safety inspection in the first week of September.He was waiting for BMRCL to submit a report complying with 28 suggestions made by him.Singh told Express he had no issues with the compliance report submitted by BMRCL.However, he has made a few changes, which include a reduction in the speed limit of the train.“I have recommended a 10 per cent reduction in the speed specified by the Railway Department,” said Singh.S K Mittal, who is the new commissioner of Rail Safety, will handle the safety certification for the other metro routes when they are ready.The Railway Board has also cleared two out of the 28 shortcomings on the Schedule of Dimensions (SOD) and the rolling stock.