The extension of Bengaluru's Namma Metro Purple Line from Challaghatta to Kadugodi (Whitefield), eagerly awaited, is nearing completion, as reported by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL). A crucial milestone had been reached by the BMRCL when they successfully concluded a five-day load test on the steel girder above the Nice Road segment within the Kengeri-Challaghatta stretch. During the tests, 2,827 sandbags, each weighing 30 kg, were strategically positioned between the tracks and the plinth beam. To simulate full passenger capacity, 621 bags were allocated across three train cars in two trains, ensuring the structural stability of the system. It was also noted that a similar load test on the Open Web Girder (OWG) above the Indian Railways track, which runs between the Baiyappanahalli and Benniganahalli metro stations, had been conducted last month. The completion of the load testing was described as a critical step in meeting the requirements for the Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) certification. Following the load test on the Kengeri-Challaghatta metro stretch, it was expected that CMRS would inspect both the Baiyappanahalli-Krishnarajapura line and the Kengeri-Challaghatta line by mid-September. In his Independence Day speech on August 15, Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister, Karnataka, announced that the long-awaited inauguration of Bengaluru's extended Purple Line, from Challaghatta to Kadugodi (Whitefield), was scheduled for September 2023. He mentioned that Bengaluru's metro train network currently covers 69.66 km and serves approximately 6.1 lakh daily passengers. He also added that the expansion of the Baiyappanahalli-Krishnarajapura line and the Kengeri-Challaghatta line was expected to be completed by September 2023. Also read:  India's first RC track bed for high-speed rail takes shapeIndo-Bangla railway set for trial run