Inderlok-Mundka line on trial

A switch from broad gauge (5ft 6 inches) to a narrower guage (4ft 8.5inches),the Inderlok-Mundka line will be the DMRC’s first tryst with standard gauge. In Phase II,there are two other corridors,the Central Secretariat-Badarpur and Airport Express Link,which will run on standard gauge.

While the Badarpur line is already delayed by three months due to the Metro mishap at Zamrudpur,operations on the Airport Express Link will be managed by the concessionaire,which has Reliance and CAF.

“The first train,called the standard gauge prototype Metro train,will run about 6.8 km between five stations of the line from Mundka to Peeragarhi during which it will undergo dynamic testing for about a week initially to check its suspension,safety,reliability and comfort to passengers,” said Anuj Dayal,spokesperson,DMRC.

After necessary clearance is obtained from the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO),Lucknow,which is expected by the first week of August,more trial runs will be conducted. Only in the further trials will the train’s integration with system equipment such as signaling,telecom,platforms,etc. be tested.

“Extensive train testing procedures need to be carried out as standard gauge Metro trains are being introduced in India for the first time. The front of the standard gauge train has a single glass pane as can be seen in cars instead of two separate panes as in the existing trains,” Dayal said.

Other features of the trains include Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras inside and outside the coaches,power supply connections inside coaches to charge mobiles and laptops,better humidity control and microprocessor controlled disc brakes and external display boards on the side windows of each coach.

Inderlok – Mundka line
Length of the line : 15.15 km
No. of stations: 14

Spell out safety policy: Labour dept
The Labour department has fired a lengthy questionnaire to the DMRC inquiring about its safety policy. “We’ve asked 16 questions about the Zamrudpur accident on the Central Secretariat-Badarpur line and another 15 on the recent accident at Punjabi Bagh on the Inderlok-Mundka line where a labourer had lost his life,” said Labour minister Mangat Ram Singhal. The DMRC has to file a reply by August 10.

According to the labour laws,for every accident at a construction site,a report has to be sent to the chief inspector,building and construction. Despite a series of accidents,however,the DMRC has not reported even once to the authority. “Once the chief inspector is informed,he visits the accident spot and begins an inquiry. But in this case,since the sites have already been cleared it is not possible any longer,” said Labour Commissioner K S Wahi.