Chennai Metro’s plush ride could be commercially up-and-running in a month

Chennai Metro’s plush ride could be commercially up-and-running in a month

Chennai (MAS):  The long wait for a cosy metro rail ride in the city might perhaps end soon for Chennaiites. The city’s dream commuter train could be up and running commercially as early as in a month and a half, if the confidence exuded by CMRL (Chennai metro rail limited) officials is something to go by. The trip from Koyambedu to Alandur in a plush metro might become possible before October ends.

“We are confident of commencing the commercial run from Koyambedu to Alandur late October. Even in a worst-case scenario, the commissioning might get delayed maximum by a month,” a senior CMRL officer, who confirmed the deadline, told.

“CMRL has informed us that they will be ready by then. Once they get all necessary clearances from railway department and intimate the government, the Chief Minister’s office will finalise the date of the launch,” a senior bureaucrat said.

However, the initial operation would not be in full even on the first corridor. Commuters would only have restricted access at the stations. “The stations will be opened partially with one entry and exit and ticketing system among other minimum mandated requirements to operate the train,” another CMRL senior officer revealed. He added that the trains are currently undergoing rigorous tests at the Koyambedu depot and on the 10km-long elevated stretch.

Ten of the 14 trains, including the nine shipped from Sao Paolo in Brazil, are undergoing various tests mandated by CMRS (commissioner of metro railway safety and RDSO (the R&D wing of Indian Railways) and will be kept ready for CMRS inspection by the month end and the rest would be ready in a week from then.

CMRL is awaiting a report of the oscillation and emergency braking distance (EBD) trial done on the first four-car metro train by RDSO earlier. “We are expecting a positive RDSO report anytime soon. From there, it is just a matter of a few days before inviting the CRS for the final inspection,” another CMRL technical head in the know of things said.

“Our general consultants are supervising the synchronisation of various systems, which comprises rolling stock, communication, signaling and electronic operations and networking with the operation control center (OCC) in Koyambedu,” the technical head pointed out. He said that most of the scaffoldings would vanish and the seven metro stations on the stretch would be painted in a month from now. Similarly, work is apace to complete the installation of the lifts and escalators at the seven stations.