Metro rail service likely to begin in November

August 31, 2014 01:20 am | Updated July 06, 2016 09:25 pm IST - CHENNAI

CHENNAI: 07/06/2012 :Under ground tunnel boring machine being erected at the Metro Rail site on Ponamalle High Road near Nehru Park in Chennai. Photo: K_Pichumani

CHENNAI: 07/06/2012 :Under ground tunnel boring machine being erected at the Metro Rail site on Ponamalle High Road near Nehru Park in Chennai. Photo: K_Pichumani

Chennai Metro Rail may begin its service from Koyambedu to Alandur by mid-November. The operations that were to start in October have been put off by nearly a month owing to the delay in the completion of stations along the 10-km line.

“We have informally communicated to the State government the proposal to start by mid-November. They will take a call on who will be invited from the Centre for the inauguration in November,” an official of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) said.

Meanwhile, the Metro Rail trains have received clearance from the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO). The speed certification from the RDSO is a statutory requirement to commence operations, according to CMRL.

“As we have got the approval, we will approach the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) for clearance. They may be here in October for inspection and two weeks after their visit, we are likely to get the clearance; the operations can begin by mid-November,” said a CMRL official.

This clearance by the RDSO comes two months after they inspected the trains and conducted various tests, including checks on vibrations from trains and passenger comfort.

“We are holding discussions with the contractors periodically and checking on the progress of the stations. We are taking steps to speed up the construction,” he said.

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