Elevated Stretch Metro Rail Trial Run for the First Time

The much-awaited inaugural trial run of Chennai Metro Rail was conducted on Thursday on a 1.5 kilometre stretch from the Koyambedu yard to the shunting neck. Chennaiites can expect the Metro train chugging between Koyambedu and Ashok Nagar in the next two weeks.

The suspense over the trial run, which was scheduled to be held earlier this month, got over at 9.30 am when the train started from the yard, crossed over the ramp and reached the regular line in the viaduct also known as shunting neck.

It was conducted under the watchful eyes of Metro rail managing director P K Bansal along with other Chennai metro rail officials, General consultants and officials from Alstom.

A metro rail spokesman said the trials on the 1.5 km  stretch will continue for next six to seven days. Then trials will be conducted on the viaduct from Koyambedu to Ashok Nagar next month.

Sources said further work on Washermenpet to Tiruvotiyur corridor will begin after getting clearance from the Union government. They also stated that a detailed report will be prepared for the second phase of the project only after the government selects the route.

Meanwhile, Chennai Metro Rail has called for tenders after terminating the contract to Consolidated Construction Consortium Limited (CCCL) for the delay in construction of railway stations on the elevated stretch from Koyambedu to St Thomas Mount.

A CMRL spokesman said that it would be finalized by the end of February. This comes as CMRL is making efforts to meet the June-July deadline so that Chennaiites can start enjoying metro rail ride on elevated stretch between Koyambedu and St Thomas Mount.