The much-awaited test run of Chennai Metro Rail seems set for further delay with the Chief Minister’s office yet to give CMRL a date for the flag-off.
CMRL approached the chief secretary in August but is yet to receive a response to its request, said an official.
“The static test comprising testing of air compressors, airconditioning, lighting and electricity systems is almost done. We are now waiting for a suitable date from the CM’s office,” said the CMRL official.
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The first Metro train was brought to Chennai from Sao Paolo in Brazil late in May and then taken to the depot-cum-yard in Koyambedu — which will serve as the operational control centre for CMRL. Since then, the train has been undergoing static tests before it can be taken to the 800-metre test track specially constructed for the purpose.
After the initial test run, the trains will go through several such runs before the trial run scheduled for December 2013.
CMRL proposes to operationalise the 11-km stretch between Koyambedu and St. Thomas Mount by mid-2014. CMRL will operate 42 trains of which nine will be manufactured in Brazil and the remaining in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh.
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