Metro trial runs from July

Trial runs of the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro line will start in July. Zeeshan Shaikh reports.

Trial runs of the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro line will start in July. The route is likely to be thrown open to commuters by mid-2012.

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Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd, which is constructing this line, the city’s first, will run empty rakes on the tracks to check their safety and sturdiness as well as the viaduct’s capacity to mange the Metro’s weight.

“We will start runs on the 1.5-km DN Nagar Depot-Azad Nagar stretch,” said Mumbai Metro One director KP Maheshwari.

Mumbai Metro One has started preparations for constructing ramps to get the Metro rakes on the tracks.

The project started in February 2008 and this will be the first glimpse the city will get of the rakes.

The Metro’s average speed is expected to be 33 kmph, though it can go up to 80 kmph. It’s speed will be restricted due to the short spans available.

Trial runs are vital for all mass transit systems. They sometimes last up to six months before the system is thrown open to commuters.

Mumbai Metro One said it hopes to complete the civil work on the 11.07-km route by November.

Mumbai Metro One has taken delivery of one Metro train from Chinese firm CSR Nanjing Puzhen Rolling Stock Company already and is expecting the remaining 15 by the year-end. The Chinese firm is making the 16 trains at a cost of Rs 604 crore.

Each train will comprise four coaches and carry 1,500 commuters. Over time, two coaches will be added to each train.