CHENNAI: The trial run between Poonamallee CMRL depot and Porur Metro station is likely to begin in the third week of this month. As a precursor, a road cum rail vehicle (RRV), which is deployed to electrify the tracks, was operated from Poonamallee to Mullaithottam station on Saturday.
CMRL director (projects) T Archunan, along with other chief general managers, chief project managers, and contractors, inspected the track on a motor-trolley from Poonamallee depot to Mullaithottam station. The trolley was followed by the RRV.
The RRV is propelled by diesel and is deployed to lay overhead electrification work. “The fact that the RRV can run on the track is an indication that the track is ready to handle the actual coaches, which will begin in the third week of this month after the electrification work is done. The coaches have already arrived at Poonamallee depot,” said director Archunan.
The 26.1km-long Corridor 4, connecting Poonamallee with Lighthouse at Marina Beach, is part of Phase II of the CMRL project, and work s is under way to begin operations on the stretch later this year.
Currently, the track-laying work on the 1.2 km stretch between Kumananchavadi and Karayanchavadi stations is almost complete, with just a few metres left to be covered.
“When the curing period for the concrete on the 1.2km stretch is over, the trial run can be extended up to Porur, likely from April. The trial run will be conducted at sharp curves, straight lines, and gradients,” said the official.
After the highways planned a grade separator in Kattupakkam to ease traffic congestion, the initial design for Kumananchavadi and Karayanchavadi stations was altered, and the level of the stations was heightened to house the grade separator underneath, resulting in a delay of the metro rail work.