As the first Metro train went over the problem girder at Zamrudpur in south Delhi,which was reconstructed after it collapsed last year,DMRC heaved a major sigh of relief.The commencement of trial runs up to the Nehru Place metro station on the Badarpur line on Tuesday also marked the end of a dark phase for the corporation as it certified the new structures safe.The 20.16kmlong Badarpur line is scheduled to open for use by the end of this month.
DMRC had already been carrying out high-speed train trials on a portion of the line from Central Secretariat to Lajpat Nagar.On Tuesday,the Over Head Electrification (OHE) line was energized,allowing the train to go beyond Lajpat Nagar to cross Moolchand,Kailash Colony and Nehru Place Metro stations too. The trials on the Badarpur line now cover a total distance of 9.65km Central Secretariat and Nehru Place encompassing eight Metro stations at Central Secretariat,Khan Market,JLN Stadium,Jangpura,Lajpat Nagar,Moolchand,Kailash Colony and Nehru Place, said a DMRC spokesperson.
The commencement of trials marks the completion of construction of the line.While trains are run on the section,first at restricted speeds and later high speeds,the interaction of the Metro train with physical infringements (civil structures) is checked to ensure there is no physical blockage during the movement of the train on the track. The entire signalling system will also undergo rigorous testing.Subsequently,the response of the train at different speeds,braking of the train and the interconnection with the Operations Control Centre (OCC) will also be monitored during the trials.The behaviour of the track system and OHE will be checked repeatedly during all the trials, the spokesperson added.
In a few more days,DMRC is planning to extend the trial runs till Sarita Vihar Metro station.The full section from Central Secretariat to Badarpur is expected to open by this month-end. Work has been paced up on the line and almost 90% of the construction and finishing has already been completed, said a DMRC spokesperson.