No metro trial run by August: Official

Even as senior Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) officials are of the opinion that a complete trial run of the metro train between St Thomas Mount and Koyambedu is unlikely before December this year, a section of the site engineers are confident of one in August, given the fast pace of the construction works.

The 11-kilometre-long stretch comprises eight stations. Denying media reports of a probable trial run of the metro train partly by August, a senior CMRL official clarified that a trial run by the end of 2013 was unlikely. “The metro train can be put on trial run only after completion of  various works such as laying of track, electrification and signalling. A trial run cannot be done in bits and pieces on the stretch,” he noted.

According to official figures, tracks have been laid for 4.2 kilometres on both directions between Koyambedu and Ashok Nagar stations till date.

 “The trial run is a long process, involving examination of every inch of track by running the train. It  is expected to start in December or the first quarter of 2014,” the official added. While electrical poles are being installed on the elevated structure at Koyambedu and Vadapalani, electrical and signalling works were yet to commence, sources claimed.