KOCHI: In the backdrop of a video circulating in the media of water trickling into a Kochi metro coach from the ceiling within five days of the commencement of commercial operations, Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has clarified that it is not rainwater.
“The train has a stainless steel body, and there is no scope for rain water to seep in. It was the water coming out of the air conditioner vent. The drain pipe from the AC kept below the car body for draining water suffered damage while moving on curves. This created a reverse pressure to the pump, resulting in water tricking into the coach,” said a KMRL spokesperson.
“This is a minor issue. We have identified it and communicated it to [Alstom India], the manufacturer, which supplied nine sets of trains. The issue is being rectified. The rest of the trains, numbering 16, will be built with location change for the AC drain pipe and will not have this issue,” she added.
The video being circulated shows water falling into a coach near the door when the train decelerates to stop at a station.
Later on Friday evening, KMRL sources said the problem was noted in one coach, and it has been rectified.
Source being identified
Speaking to The Hindu , Alstom India managing director (India and South Asia) Bharat Salhotra said the company was checking if the incident of water trickling into the coach was because of rain or Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) water collection. “We will have this resolved very soon. Trains are within the defect liability period (DLP) of two years, and the issue is being attended to immediately,” he said.
“Alstom will address defects, if any, in the trains and the 16 more that are awaited. Each train has been built to last 30 to 35 years,” Mr. Salhotra added.
