The Delhi Metro began its trial run on the much-awaited Yamuna Bank-Noida line on Monday, even as the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation(DMRC) remained hopeful of a November opening of the segment.
The Yamuna Bank-Noida stretch is the first line where the DMRC has not been able to keep its deadline. The line was initially meant to be commissioned in June this year. The DMRC is now hoping to commission it before November 14.
On Monday, the trial run was organised between Yamuna Bank and Noida Sector 16 stations covering a distance of about 8 km. This is the first time that the Delhi Metro has crossed the borders of Delhi and entered the National Capital Region.
“The trial run began at 12-30 p.m. in the afternoon after a small prayer ceremony at the Yamuna Bank depot. Two trial runs (round trips) were conducted successfully between 12-30 p.m. and 4 p.m. on this section,” said a DMRC spokesperson.
The trial runs will continue for one week on this section and is likely to be extended further to Noida Sector 32 in the first week of November. The entire section from Yamuna Bank to Noida Sector 32 might be opened by middle of November or the beginning of December, depending on how the trial runs go. About 53,000 passengers are expected to join the metro system after the opening of the Noida corridor.
“During the trial runs today, the interaction of the metro train with physical infringement (civil structure) was checked to ensure that there was no physical blockage during the movement of the train on the track between Yamuna Bank and Noida Sector 16 stations,” the spokesperson said.
The train’s run was restricted to a slow speed of 10 to 20 km per hour since it was the maiden trip. “The speed will gradually be increased to 50 kmph, and ultimately a maximum of 80 kmph will be generated during the trial runs. The entire signalling system which is based on automatic train protection is also being tested during the trials,” the spokesperson said.
During the trial run on Monday, various aspects and parameters of functioning were checked, that include response of the train at different speeds, braking of the train and the interconnection with operations control centre.
“The behaviour of the track system and the overhead electrification will also be checked repeatedly during the trial run. During each 24-hour cycle over the next two weeks, trains will run for about 8 hours intensively every day and the remaining time will be used for completion and rectification of various works,” the spokesperson said.
Special emphasis will be on the safety to ensure the system is safe for use before the section is opened to the public.
Giving details of the section, the spokesperson said: “This section will be integrated with the existing 34.3 km Yamuna Bank-Dwarka Sector-9 section and this will require special focus on integration and extension of the existing signalling system to the 13.1km extension from Yamuna Bank to Noida Sector 32. The total length of Line 3 will then be extended to 47.4 km.
