Trial over, Metro awaits safety nod for auto run

JAIPUR: After completion of successful trial runs of Jaipur Metro on automatic train operation (ATO) mode, the Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation (JMRC) is now waiting for the Commissioner Railway Safety, Mumbai for final nod.
In the progress review meeting on Thursday, the JMRC official informed that impact safety assessor (ISR) report has been forwarded to CMR and approval is expected to be received by June end.

A senior JMRC official said, the ATO system allows the Metro train to function without any intervention from drivers. “It controls the speed, movement and braking among other key functions. The role of the driver, when the train is in ATO mode, can be limited to just pressing a button to open and close the train doors at the Metro stations,” said a JMRC senior official.

The JMRC had conducted the trials during non-operational hours and officials believe once the new system is introduced, the running time will be reduced between Mansarovar and Chandpole corridor. The system allows the operation of trains at a very high frequency, and has built-in fail safe mechanisms.

“Trains when on the ATO mode work on a communication-based train control (CBTC) system that allows control of train movement through continuous signal exchange between the trains and trackside equipment,” said the official.

During the review meeting, the French firm EGIS Rail SA representatives, were also directed to submit the detailed project report (DPR) of Phase II corridor by August. Sources present in the meeting said, the recent traffic study conducted by the firm was also examined. The firm has recommend to extend the proposed Jaipur Metro Phase- II corridor by nearly 8 kilometres.

As per the new proposal, the total length of the corridor will be 31 km proposed from Sitapura to Vishwakarma Industrial Area, road number-14.

In the existing detailed project report (DPR), the corridor length is 23 km (Sitapura to Ambabari). However, after witnessing the increase in vehicular congestion on the route, the firm has proposed an increase in length of the corridor. The report reads that once the corridor is constructed, it would ferry 3.75 lakh commuters. Moreover, the Metro corridor would avoid emission of at least 5.6 lakh tonnes.