New Delhi: Trial run for metro rail services from Mandi House to ITO section on the Central Secretariat-Kashmere Gate corridor of Phase 3 commenced today. According to the DMRC spokesperson, the first trial train on this section was flagged off today from the ITO Metro station by DMRC Managing Director Mangu Singh in the presence of other Directors and senior officials from Delhi Metro.
The construction work for this underground stretch, which is part of the 9.37 km long Central Secretariat to Kashmere Gate metro line is almost complete and is expected to be opened for commuter operations after successful trials and mandatory approvals, the spokesperson said.
The opening of this stretch, originally scheduled for December next year, has been advanced since the ITO Metro station will cater to a large number of office goers.
As per the Detailed Project Report, approximately 22,000 passengers are expected to use the ITO Metro station by 2016.
The number is likely to cross the 31,000 mark in 2021. Apart from people commuting to their offices (police headquarters, UGC, Bal Bhawan etc), the ITO station will also benefit sports enthusiasts who often come to watch sports matches at the Ambedkar and Feroz Shah Kotla stadiums located at a walking distance, spokesperson said. The work on this stretch was started in April, 2012 and completed only in two years and nine months.
The work also has been completed seven months ahead of schedule since the work was slated to be completed by July, 2015. The ITO station has six escalators and lifts and six entry/exit points. Two subways will connect the station with the Deen Dayal Updhyay Marg as well as the Indraprastha Marg.
During the trial runs, the interaction of the Metro train with civil structure will be checked to ensure that there is no physical blockage during the movement of the train on the track.
The entire signalling system will also undergo rigorous testing. In addition, the response of the train at different speeds, braking of the train and the inter-connection with the Operations Control Centre (OCC) will also be monitored during the trials.
The behaviour of the track system and the Over Head Electrification (OHE) will be checked repeatedly during all the trials.
