Speed inspection on Metro Expressline this week

The Delhi Airport Metro Express Pvt Ltd — the concessionaire company of the airport express line — may well be fighting its last pre-launch battle to increase the train's speed to 120 km per hour.

The Delhi Airport Metro Express Pvt Ltd — the concessionaire company of the airport express line — may well be fighting its last pre-launch battle to increase the train's speed to 120 km per hour.

HT Image

If officials are to be believed, the speed of the trains will be decided any time this week, following a physical inspection by the Research, Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO).

The 23-km line will be opened once clearance is received from RDSO for running trains at a higher speed — 120 km per hour — as promised earlier.

"Inspection by RDSO is expected to take place any time this week and we are hopeful that the speed of trains will be increased to 120 km per hour," said a Delhi Airport Metro Express Pvt Ltd (DAMEPL) spokesperson.

He added that the inspection process would possibly be over in a day and the line will be thrown open immediately.

Mangu Singh, director (works), Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), said: "The RDSO inspection is expected this week; we do not have any date for the same."

According to DMRC officials, the line, which has already missed its deadline four months ago, should be opened immediately after security arrangements are made by the CISF in association with private security guards hired by DAMEPL.

"Speed restriction should not be considered a factor. The line should be opened even without RDSO's speed certification and the process can continue even after the inauguration," said Singh.

The delay has cost DAMEPL dear. The concessionaire company had already paid R34.5 crore as fine to DMRC for failing to open the line on time, said Singh.

"If they delay further, the fine amount will keep increasing," he said.

Meanwhile, ministry of home affairs, after verifying the security audit report, has recently issued a letter asking CISF and DAMEPL's security guards to make the necessary security arrangements, DMRC officials said.