Date:27/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/27/stories/2008042752070300.htm

New Delhi

Delhi Metro ready for another trial run

Staff Reporter

Shahdara-Dilshad Garden line likely to be commissioned by May-end or early June

It is the first line of the second phase of Delhi Metro railway
The 3.1 km section has 3 stations -- Mansarovar Park, Jhilmil, Dilshad Garden

NEW DELHI: The first line of the second phase of Delhi Metro railway is ready for its trial run. A trial train service on the Shahdara-Dilshad Garden line, which is expected to be commissioned ahead of its scheduled date, will begin this Sunday.

The line is expected to become operational almost seven months ahead of schedule. According to senior DMRC officials, a trial train will run on the line for the next three to four weeks and a safety inspection will be carried out this coming Tuesday.

“The section is ready for trial runs almost seven months ahead of schedule. The first section of the second phase, Shahdara to Dilshad Garden, is 3.1 km long and has three stations at Mansarovar Park, Jhilmil and Dilshad Garden. This section is entirely elevated and has been built at a cost of Rs.89.30 crore,” said DMRC Chief Public Relations Officer Anuj Dayal.

The line was sanctioned in April 2006 and construction began in August 2006, with December 2008 as the target date for completion. “We are hopeful that the section will be opened for the public by this May-end or beginning of June, which would mean that it would be commissioned almost seven months ahead of schedule,” said Mr. Dayal.

During the trial run this Sunday, the train will check the civil, electrical, signalling, telecommunication and operational interface of the entire system. It will continue for three to four weeks to check the interaction of the systems and sub-systems with each other.

“The Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety, Bhupinder Singh, will inspect this section on April 29. His observations will help DMRC in fine-tuning the work and help in completing the operational trials successfully,” said Mr. Dayal.

Giving details of the line, he said: “Work related to civil, electrical, track, signalling and telecom is complete; we are now engaged in the finishing work of stations.”

The DMRC will construct foot-over bridges at Mansarovar Park and Jhilmil stations for allowing passengers to cross the roads. All three stations, besides being disabled-friendly, will have provision for automatic fare collection gates.