The New Garia-Ruby Metro stretch, where the first trial run happened around four months ago, is yet to see commercial run.
Officials pointed to a bureaucratic delay. Multiple correspondences have happened between the Metro Railway and the commissioner of railway safety (CRS) over the past few months. But the line, part of the New Garia-airport corridor, is still waiting to get going. It was supposed to have been operational by 2022.
Officials said an inspection by the CRS, a mandatory step before clearance is given for the start of commercial run, has been scheduled for January 30.
“Earlier, we had sent some papers. The CRS made some observations and sought more details. We sent them the details and asked for an inspection. That inspection has been scheduled for January 30,” said a Metro official.
In response to the previous communication sent at the start of this year, the CRS had sought some reports, said sources.
The CRS wanted to know the safety protocols till electronic interlocking is commissioned on the stretch, said an official.
Interlocking means an arrangement of signals and points, operated from a panel, meant to prevent conflicting train movements.
“Till the electronic interlocking is commissioned, manual operation is needed twice a day, in the morning and at night. The procedures are in place. We have reported that. The CRS also sought to know details of the passenger movement at the stations. We have presented a detailed report on that as well,” the official said.
Metro officials are hopeful that a sanction will come soon after the CRS inspection.
“There are some other long-term issues that will be addressed with time. The commissioning of the line will not get delayed because of that,” the official said.
“The commissioner of railway safety (North Frontier circle) is in charge of Metro operations. The post has seen a new appointment. The change in guard also caused some delay,” he said.
The 5.4km New Garia-Ruby stretch saw the first trial run on September 24. Back then, officials were hoping for commercial runs by the end of 2022. The first trial run on the Joka-Taratala stretch happened on September 15. Commercial runs started on January 2.
Even when commercial runs start, the stretch will see only one train completing one leg of the journey and then coming back, like that on the Joka-Taratala stretch. Two trains will not be able to run on the tracks at the same time because of the absence of an advanced signalling system.
