Delhi Metro starts trial runs between Mandi House and ITO

The DMRC began trial runs between the Mandi House and ITO stations on the Central Secretariat-Kashmere Gate line. Metro officials refused to specify when the section would be opened for commuters.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Thursday began trial runs between the Mandi House and ITO stations on the Central Secretariat-Kashmere Gate line.

HT Image

Metro officials, however, refused to specify when the section would be opened for commuters. Sources said the trial runs would continue for at least 2-3 weeks.

“Once we are completely satisfied with the trial runs, we will apply for clearance from the commissioner of metro rail safety. The commercial operations will start as soon as we get his approval,” a senior DMRC official said.

During the trial runs, engineers will check if there is any impediment in the movement of the train.

“The signalling system will undergo rigorous tests. The response of the train at different speeds, braking of the train and the interconnection with the operations control centre (OCC) will be monitored during the trials. The behaviour of the track system and the overhead electrification (OHE) will be checked repeatedly,” a senior DMRC official said.

The ITO station falls on the 9.37-kilometre Central Secretariat-Kashmere Gate line, which has been taken up in phase 3. The corridor is completely underground and connects office areas at Mandi House and ITO, heritage sites of Jama Masjid, Red Fort, commercial centres and residential pockets in old Delhi.

Besides office goers, the opening of the ITO station will benefit sports enthusiasts who often come to watch football and cricket matches at Ambedkar and Feroz Shah Kotla stadiums, respectively. The corridor is currently operational up to Mandi House. DMRC officials said the opening of this stretch, originally scheduled for December 2015, has now been advanced.