Metro’s Sitabuldi to Lokmanya Nagar stretch gets safety nod

Nagpur: After a three-day inspection, Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) Janak Kumar Garg and his team issued the safety certificate for Sitabuldi-Lokmanya Nagar stretch of Nagpur Metro. This has paved the way for starting commercial operations on this stretch. The first train will be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday from Subhash Nagar at 5 pm.
After a comprehensive examination of stations, electrical, signalling, traction and other systems and inspection of the line both by motor trolley and metro train, CMRS has authorized the opening of the section of Reach III for passenger operations. The authorization by CMRS to carry commuters has been granted using the statutory power conferred on CMRS under Section 15 (1) of Metro Rail Operations and Maintenance Act, 2002.
Garg and his three team members —K L Purthi, Vivek Vajpayee and Rishabh Kumar— had arrived in the city on Tuesday. They inspected the Hingna Road depot and Lokmanya Nagar station. In the depot they visited the rolling stock room, train wall machine, depot control room, Metro route map room and checked the signalling system, train moving plan and daily reports.
Garg and others also inspected the coaches to be used for Reach III. They tested the Metro front door evacuation system and other safety equipment. The members also talked to officers and employees of the depot to test their knowledge. A detailed discussion was held with them.
Then they were given a detailed presentation of Reach III by director (project) Mahesh Kumar and director (rolling stock) Sunil Mathur. Managing director Brijesh Dixit told them about the various passenger amenities to be provided by MahaMetro.
CMRS team then proceeded to Lokmanya Nagar station where they inspected the passenger amenities and security systems.
On Wednesday, Garg and his team inspected the Sitabuldi interchange and Subhash Nagar stations. Here too they inspected the passenger amenities and security systems. Next they went to Institution of Engineers station and repeated the exercise. Later they held detailed discussions with senior MahaMetro officers and sought information about all aspects of Reach III.
On Thursday morning, the CMRS team checked various documents pertaining to Reach III. They raised some queries with the officials. Garg was finally satisfied after the three-day exercise and issued a safety certificate to Sitabuldi-Lokmanya Nagar stretch.