NEW DELHI:
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Wednesday started trial runs on the 9.7km-stretch between Lajpat Nagar and
Mayur Vihar Pocket-I of the
Pink Line (Majlis Park-Shiv Vihar). This section is expected to become operational by October.
This 9.7km-stretch, an extension of the currently operational Majlis Park-Lajpat Nagar section, will be a major boon for commuters of prominent areas such as Ashram, Vinoba Puri, Mayur Vihar, etc. The stretch will also put Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station on the metro map for the first time. Hazrat Nizamuddin metro station will also be connected with the ISBT at Sarai Kale Khan.
The Lajpat Nagar-Mayur Vihar Pocket-I stretch will also see Delhi Metro cross the
Yamuna for the fourth time. The other three corridors that bridge the Yamuna are the Red, Blue and Magenta Lines.
The trial runs were flagged off by Dr Mangu Singh, managing director, DMRC. “During the test runs, interface of the metro train will be checked to ensure that there is no physical infringement with civil infrastructure during the movement of the train on the track. Testing of various subsystems of coaches shall also be done,” a DMRC spokesperson said.
“The new signaling technology, known as Communication Based Train Control, which is being used on the Pink and Magenta Line, will undergo rigorous testing in stages. The response of the train at different speeds, braking of the train and the interconnection with the Operations Control Centre will be monitored during the trials,” the spokesperson said. “The behaviour of the track system and the Over Head Electrification (OHE) will also be checked repeatedly,” he added.
This new section of Pink Line consists of five stations — Vinoba Puri, Ashram, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Mayur Vihar-I and Mayur Vihar Pocket-I. Of these five, only Mayur Vihar-I and Mayur Vihar Pocket-I are elevated stations, while the rest underground.
DMRC would also provide interchange facility on this section at the Mayur Vihar-I, where commuters will be able to change trains between Pink and Blue Lines. The existing Blue Line station will be connected to the upcoming Pink Line station through a 63 metre-long foot overbridge.
File photo of Pink Line (Delhi Metro)
