PM Narendra Modi is all set to inaugurate the Magenta Line between Noida and Janakpuri West on 25th December. Ahead of the official inauguration, Delhi Metro officials were conducting trial runs on the line.
Earlier today, an incident occurred with a Metro train making trial runs. The train broke through a boundary wall at the Kalindi Kunj station. This Metro train was part of Botanical Garden – Kalkaji Mandir service, which is part of the Magenta line due for inauguration on 25th Dec.
“The trial run of the train was on and it was at very low speed. There were no casualties,” according to the official. The front of the Metro was damaged while the boundary wall of the depot was broken.
This is the same Metro line which will get driverless trains in the future. Initially, for 2-3 years, there will be drivers in the train. But after that, Metro trains on this line will run without the help of drivers.
This new section of Metro line has 9 stations. It will connect – Botanical Garden, Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Kalindi Kunj, Jasola Vihar-Shaheen Bagh, Okhla Vihar, Jamia Milia Islamia, Sukhdev Vihar, Okhla NSIC and Kalkaji Mandir.
It will reduce the travel time from Botanical Garden to Kalkaji Mandir by 33 minutes. Currently it takes about 52 minutes to travel between the two points. Once this is ready, it will take 19 minutes.
It may be brought to mind that Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (or DMRC), which began offering services on 3rd Oct 2010, has been accredited by United Nations as being first Metro rail and rail system to get carbon credits for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The Metro system reduces pollution levels in the city by 630,000 tonnes per year.
These Metro trains are lightweight and made of stainless steel they are fitted with pneumatic springs, regenerative brakes and are airy and spacious with wide vestibules and automatic doors. These are assembled by Bangalore based Bharat Earth Movers Limited who will also be supplying coaches for the Phase III. The Metro system covers total network of 190 kms and has maintained 99.7% punctuality rate over the past year.
