Bescom to energise Bangalore Metro
Bangalore’s Namma Metro is getting a boost, with the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) assuring two megawatts (MW) of power per day to run the locomotive of the metro rail project, which will begin its commercial operations on October 20.
Bescom Managing Director P Manivannan said though the demand by BMRCL for their entire project is 19 MW, this being a first stage, two megawatt is sufficient for now. “It is just the first stage. When they complete the whole project they need 19 MW. Now they can manage with just two megawatt,” he said.
Asked him about the BMRCL’s application before the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission to supply power at a lesser cost, claiming that the project was not commercial and was a public service project, he said that BMRCL has been offered power at a cost lesser than commercial rate at Rs 5.50 per unit.
However, he pointed out that commercial establishments within the Metro stations would have to pay for power at commercial rates, as they are independent of the public project. The BMRCL, in a recent notification said the traction system in Bangalore Metro Rail Project is 750 V DC third rail system.
