KOCHI: The Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) will begin inspection on the first stretch of Kochi Metro Rail project from Wednesday.
A four-member team led by Metro Rail Safety Commissioner K A Manoharan will inspect the stretch between Aluva and Palarivattom stations.
The team will assess various aspects, including safety and security arrangements for passenger operations, during the inspection, which will be completed by Friday.
The team will inspect all the 11 stations between Aluva and Palarivattom, including Pulinchode, Companyppady, Ambattukavu, Muttom, Kalamassery, Cusat, Pathadippalam, Edappally and Changampuzha Nagar.
According to a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) office, the date of commissioning of the stretch can be decided soon after the completion of the inspection. “If the Safety Commissioner gives the necessary clearance, the Kochi Metro will attain the status of being the first Metro project in the country to be commissioned within the shortest time span,” the officer said.
The officer said the civil work of the Metro stations had also been completed. The work on the station buildings between Aluva and Palarivattom, platforms, the link bridge connecting the platforms and the premises of the building has been completed.
“The work which needs to be completed before the launch of the passenger operations is in progress. The construction of parking grounds, laying of aluminium sheets and other mandatory works will be completed in time,” the officer said.
3-day Inspection
On Wednesday, the inspection will start at 9 am on the Metro corridor between Aluva and Muttom.
The inspection will be conducted between the Muttom-Edappally stretch on Thursday. The team will also assess the signalling system at the Operation Control Centre in Muttom on the second day.
On Friday, the team will assess the corridor between Edappally and Palarivattom.
CMRS will inspect the station access, signage, safety measures and technical aspects during the three-day inspection.
The state government had reportedly contacted the Prime Minister’s Office to check his availability for the inauguration.