Power back-up to keep Namma Metro going

BANGALORE: Namma Metro commuters need not worry about delayed trains or a breakdown along the route because of a power failure.The 6.7 kilometre long metro line between Byappanahalli and M G Road (Reach 1) will get uninterrupted power supply, facilitating the regular arrival and departure of trains along the route.Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has secured two dedicated lines drawn from the power grids at Hoody and HAL.These two lines supply a total of 66 kilo volts (KV) of power which get converted into 33KV at the Byappanahalli terminus to be distributed along the viaducts to all stations.“The 33 KV gets converted into 750 V DC at each station.There are also auxiliary power sub-stations for lighting facilities at stations and other purposes. We also have a back-up of diesel sub-stations at every station,” said D D Pahuja, Director, Rolling Stock, Electrical, Signaling and Telecommunication, BMRCL. The power grids at Hoody and HAL belong to Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL). When asked about the imminent threat of a power failure at either of the grids, BMRCL said that the power grids have the ability to back each other up. “If the supply at Hoody is affected, then the grid at HAL can supply the entire 66KV,” said Pahuja.KPTCL clarified that the supply of electricity to the metro route is secured by independent connections to BMRCL through the Byappanahalli terminus.“There are very few chances that power supply at both Hoody and HAL will be affected at the same time ,” said Subburaju, Assistant Electrical Engineer, Hoody and HAL.