Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) commenced the testing and beyond Mullai Thottam Metro Station, up to Porur Junction Metro Station with driverless train in the Corridor 4 of the Phase-2 project, This section is about 10 km starting from Poonamalle Bypass Metro Station to Porur Junction Metro Station, interconnected with Poonamalle Metro Depot.
| Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM
A child drinking rose milk looking up to wave, a woman savouring her evening coffee raising her cup to cheer, a car mechanic taking a break to step out of the garage and watch the train go past and several youth quickly capturing selfies to post on social media. Excitement was in the air as the first train of Chennai Metro Rail’s trial run honked and snaked its way from Poonamallee to Porur receiving applause wherever there were people to cheer.
Like last time, this time too, the driverless train was manoeuvred by an operator and it covered a length of nearly 10 km from Poonamallee to Porur crossing ten stations.
According to officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), operators will man the trains during the trials and the initial period when train services begin for passengers. They said, roving attendants will be present for some time after that as well.
Unlike in March, when the first trial between Pooonamallee to Porur was marred by a few glitches with the overhead equipment, this time the trial was smooth. “We checked the overhead equipment on Sunday midnight, did a short circuit test and everything was working well. We wanted to make sure that this trial run of the train was perfect,” a source said.
M. A. Siddique, managing director of CMRL said, on May 30, on the second track (downline), the trial run of the train will begin from Porur to Poonamallee. For the next eight months, trains will be continuously tested on both tracks. “Meanwhile, civil and electrical work are in the advanced stages now. By December, we are aiming to open this line. Our objective is to start train services [from Poonamallee] till Vadapalani soon. But it is very challenging and we are trying our best,” he said.
During the first day of trials from Poonamallee to Mullaithottam, the train was run at 10-15 kmph and on Monday too, the speed was around 15-20 kmph. Though it was expected that the train may be operated at an average of 35 kmph, it was lesser, but sources said, since it was the first trial on the 10 km stretch, they had to be very cautious. Train was tested at 80 kmph between Poonamallee to Mullaithottam a few weeks back and similarly, between Poonamallee and Porur too the speed will be increased step by step.
Published – April 29, 2025 01:11 am IST
