KOCHI:A team of safety officials from Bengaluru on Monday began inspection of the rolling stock of the Kochi Metro.
The two-day inspection led by K A Manoharan, Commissioner of the Metro Railway Safety - Bangalore (CMRS), will primarily focus on assessing the various safety features of the rolling stock and the comfort level of the ride. As part of the process, a demonstration of the safety features of the train will be held. The team will also review the maintenance facility being set up at the Muttom depot.
“On Tuesday, the rolling stock static demonstration and rolling stock dynamic trials will be conducted. The Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), the implementing agency, has made detailed presentations on the general features of the viaduct, stations, track, traction & power supply, CBTC and rolling stock,” stated an official release.
“Metro systems are opened for public after obtaining approval for fitness of the various systems for safe use by the public, by duly following provisions of the ‘Opening of Metro Railways for Public Carriage of Passenger Rules-2013.’ It is mandated that the rolling stock (metro trains) should be approved by the Government of India (GoI) also - for ‘use of new type of rolling stock.’ Since trains of the Kochi Metro have been built with a new design, a onetime approval has to be obtained from the GoI, which is granted based on the inspection report,” stated the release.
Earlier, the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) under the Union Ministry of Railways had issued speed certificate, after conducting trials of the train on track, to proceed with procedures for approval of the rolling stock.
After receipt of the speed certificate from RDSO-Lucknow, CMRS-Bangalore was approached for carrying out inspection of the rolling stock in Kochi. Subsequently, the necessary documents were submitted for the purpose.