Test run for VAG metro next month

After the successful test run of the monorail conducted between Wadala depot and Bhakti Park in February this year, a trial run of the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar metro rail is expected to begin this September.

Rail ready: Though it may be a while till it can take on passengers, authorities say that the metro rail's test run to be conducted next month is a huge developmentu00a0

Speaking to MiD DAY, a Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) official requesting anonymity said, "The officials from Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL) have verbally informed us (MMRDA) that they have plans to start a trial run on a small stretch sometime in September, which will be a big achievement in terms of the metro project."

However it should be noted that the plans regarding the same have not been officially communicated to the planning authority. Since the last week, test runs for the metro rail at the Andheri (W) car depot have been underway. The rakes are being inspected by Chinese motormen, who are currently piloting the metro rail. Once the Chinese motormen clear the rakes after inspection, then the Indian motormen will conduct trial runs.

Sources from MMRDA revealed that MMOPL has also chalked out a plan for the trial runs. According to the plans, the trial run will start in September and the train will start from car depot and will go up to the Indian Oil junction where metro line two will intersect the metro line one. In a later stage, the test run will also be conducted between a 2 km stretch starting from Seven Bungalows in Andheri and ending at Indian Oil junction. The 2 km long trial runs will go on for upto three months and later, the rakes will be tested along the remaining 11.07 km.

Work in progress
According to the revised deadline set by MMRDA, the metro line one is expected to be ready by March 2013. However, a lot of work along the alignment is still pending, such as the construction of railway bridge over Andheri railway tracks and construction of the cable stayed bridge over Jog flyover on Western Express Highway. Similarly, work on metro stations, set up of signalling and electrical systems and track laying is far from over.

MMRDA says
MMRDA Joint Project Director, Dilip Kawatkar said, "The civil work on the entire corridor will be complete by December and the metro train will be operational in 2013. The trial run for the metro will also be done at the right time."