Testing times for Metro

Even with experts still skeptical over the BMRCL meeting the April 4 deadline, the corporation conducted its second trial run yesterday

Testing times for Metro

Even with experts still skeptical over the BMRCL meeting the April 4 deadline, the corporation conducted its second trial run yesterday

Power problem: The train could not go beyond Trinity Circle to reach
M G Road station because there was problem with the third rail system
that supplies electricity to train. Pic/Satish Badiger

This time though, the train was near empty for the exception of the technical staff unlike the last time, when the general staff and their family members had enjoyed the ride. This was because the commissioner of railway had taken objections over taking people on board before the commissionorate issuing a safety clearance.

"Although the corporation can overrule the directions of the commissioner, we didn't want to take a chance," said a BMRCL official. Though the trial was a positive sign, the experts are still skeptical over the BMRCL meeting the April 4 deadline for the launch of Reach-1 between Byappana Halli and MG Road.

The train only covered over a half a distance from Byappana Halli and Trinity Circle. The maximum speed was kept just above 25 kmph, while the allowed speed is 85 kmph. "This is just a trial run. We kept the speed slow, as we had to conduct many tests," said B L Yashwant Chavan, chief engineer and chief BMRCL PRO.

"Things will improve as we go on fixing the bugs, and shortly we will be in a position to run the train along the stretch at a normal speed."

He said the train could not go beyond Trinity Circle to reach M G Road station because there was problem with the third rail system that supplies electricity to train. "We are working on the third line system and I hope we will be conducting the regular trial run on the first track from now on," he added.

According to Chavan, there are some technical faults with the second track that needs to be corrected. The trial run on the second track is expected on February 19. Chavan added, "We are trying hard to keep our promise, and I hope we will definitely meet the deadline."

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