Metro, Bombardier officials meet; snags on agenda

Concerned after a spate of "technical faults" grounded few of its new trains, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Monday held a closed-door meeting with top officials of the Germany-based train manufacturers Bombardier Transportation, reports HT Correspondent.

Concerned after a spate of "technical faults" grounded few of its new trains, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Monday held a closed-door meeting with top officials of the Germany-based train manufacturers Bombardier Transportation.

HT Image

While DMRC managing director E. Sreedharan conveyed its concern over the inconvenience faced by commuters, officials of Bombardier Transportation briefed the DMRC about the corrective measures taken by them to ensure smooth run of its trains.

"Bombardier officials informed us that they have already initiated the necessary corrective action to address the issues and concerns to mitigate the inconvenience faced by commuters," a senior DMRC official said.

The new trains introduced into the system have reflected various technical glitches that in turn affected the performance of the Delhi Metro.

The first sign of "technical problem" with new trains, manufactured by Bombardier Transportation, surfaced when static inverter of a train, which runs its motor, failed in underground section of Jehangirpuri-Central Secretariat line on November 4. The train plunged into darkness for five minutes and its air-conditioning system also stopped working.

On November 8, electrical system of yet another Bombardier train failed, this time on Delhi Metro's busiest section of Dwarka - Yamuna Bank, leading to a near stampede situation at Rajiv Chow due to overcrowding.

On two occasions, the unique identification number of these trains was lost due to software malfunction and its contact with the control room was lost.

Bombardier officials, however, expressed confidence that the initial 'teething problems' being felt in the new trains will be overcome soon.

"Bombardier is providing Delhi Metro with all necessary support and maximum resources to enable reaching adequate level of performance and is confident that initial teething problems in the system will be very shortly overcome. The safety and security of the passengers is not in question," Bombardier Transportation's director (communications) Luis Ramos said.

Bombardier coaches are crucial for Delhi Metro's expansion in Phase II.