BG Metro to hit normal traffic: CR

Nagpur: Even as the state cabinet has approved the broad gauge Metro (BGM) proposal to provide high-speed connectivity to towns near Nagpur, there are several infrastructural and technical issues which will have to be taken care of.
The Central Railway officials after scrutinizing MahaMetro’s final detailed project report (DPR) found that there will be several operational hiccups post-Covid-19 scenario when train operations would be normal. The DPR was approved by the Railway Board in August last and was circulated to the officials in October 2019.
To run BG Metro, the height of at least 33 low-level platforms will have to be raised. It is not clear who will carry out this work. Currently, the sections between Nagpur-Wardha and Nagpur-Amla are oversaturated and their capacity utilization has reached 145%.
“Increase in BG Metro trains’ frequency will severely affect coaching as well as freight train operations and also hit share of passenger traffic. There are several passenger trains operating between Nagpur-Wardha, Bhusawal, Amla and Narkhed. If existing paths are proposed for Metro trains then passenger rakes will occupy additional paths,” said officials.
As per the MahaMetro DPR, trips of Metro trains proposed between Nagpur-Wardha and Nagpur-Narkhed routes will have an adverse impact on existing traffic. Similarly, regular trains and occupation of platforms at Nagpur will be affected due to Metro trains between Nagpur-Bhandara section.
Moreover, stabling of empty rakes at Nagpur and Ajni yards will require additional shunting and will affect their normal functioning. Though the rolling stock will be procured by MahaMetro and maintained by it at Ajni and Khapri yards, there is also no clarity about en route repairs and maintenance of coaches, besides sharing of manpower.