A metro rail train decked
with marigold garlands and roses rolled out of the Koyambedu depot – for its longest trial run. The four-coach
rake, looking dusty, came out of the depot around noon and was greeted by
shutterbugs who had placed themselves on top of buildings to get a glimpse of
the future of urban transportation.
Three years in construction,
eight years since the first feasibility study was done and more than 10 years
since the idea of a metro rail for the city was mooted in 2003, the trial run
on Friday was a coming together of technology, bureaucratic processes and
coordination between agencies.
Enduring traffic congestion
and bad roads, commuters did not know what was happening overhead. While the
trains’ headlights and blaring horn failed to catch the attention of commuters
below, construction workers on top of buildings stopped work to watch the
train.
Metro rail has lined up more
trials. The first time the train was taken out of the Koyambedu depot, the
operator did not go faster than 5 kmph. The train made three trips (Feb 14,
2014) . Once fully functional, these trains will have an average speed of 35
kmph and a top speed of 85 kmph. This trial run was basic. The automatic
signalling system will be tested in later trials.
WHAT LIES AHEAD: Koyambedu-St Thomas Mount line
likely to be complete by October; Saidapet-Airport elevated line to be finished
by early 2015; Underground line to be complete by end of 2015
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