Namma Metro won't go powerless

BANGALORE: Rest assured that the unfolding power crisis in the state will not hamper Namma Metro commercial operations scheduled to kick-start on October 20.
Two dedicated power supply lines and adequate back-up of diesel sub-stations will ensure uninterrupted power for the Metro commercial operations along the 6.7-km Reach 1 from Byappanahalli to MG Road.
The Bangalore Metro Railway Corporation Limited (BMRCL) requires 18 MVA of power for its Reach 1 operations.
A FOOL-PROOF SYSTEM
Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) director (technical) K Ramakrishna explained that two dedicated lines would supply power to Reach 1 drawn from the grids at Hoody and HAL.
"These two lines will supply a total of 66 kilo volt (KV) of power. BMRCL has set up a power station at Byappanahalli terminus where the 66KV of power gets converted into 33KV and is distributed through a viaduct to all the stations. At every alternate Metro station, a traction sub-station converts the AC power into 750 V DC and feeds the same to the third rail from where it is drawn by the train," explained another senior Bescom official.
The official said though power to BMRC would be supplied from the same sources that Bescom gets its power, there would not be any interruption in the supply to Metro because of the dedicated lines. Besides, there's also back-up power during emergencies.
"Electricity supply to Metro is secured by independent connections to the Metro rail through the Byappanahalli terminus. The chances of both the power grids at Hoody and HAL getting affected at the same time are very slim. If the transmission of power from Hoody is affected, the source will switch over to the grid at HAL," the Bescom official explained.
The official said auxiliary power sub-stations at the Metro stations will cater to lighting and other requirements. The total power requirement of Phase 1 of Namma Metro is 66 MVA. By 2021, this will touch 94 MVA.
WHAT IF A BLACKOUT OCCURS?
In case of a total blackout or failure of power supply due to grid failure or natural calamities, the train will come to a halt.
Using battery power, the doors of the train will open for passengers to disembark on the pathway near the tracks which will lead them to the nearest station.
Every train will have battery back-up not only for operation of doors but also for running the air-conditioning system for about an hour.
A senior BMRC official allayed fears of blackouts affecting the Metro. He said BMRC draws 66KV power from the 220KV grid which has a 99.97% reliability.
The 66KV lines have feeder circuits equipped with automatic load throw over (ALTO) and Automatic Circuit Throw over (ACTO), to ensure reliability.