Indore (Madhya Pradesh): The long wait of the city residents for Metro services may end soon, with a Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) team set to arrive here in a day or two for inspection. The Metro’s commercial operations are likely to begin once the CMRS gives its nod.
An official told Free Press on Monday that all relevant documents seeking approval had been submitted to the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) and the CMRS team might arrive in the city for inspection either on Tuesday or Wednesday. After getting a green signal from the CMRS, the commercial operations of the Metro in the city could start from this month or in February, the official of the Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MPMRCL) said.
“The work of submitting necessary documents from the MPMRCL to the CMRS is complete. Now, the CMRS will take stock of the security arrangements, inspect the depot and stations and other work,” the official said. Initially, the Metro would be operational on the highest priority corridor of 5.90 km between Gandhi Nagar station and station number three of the Super Corridor, he said. The trial run on this route was held last September, he added.
However, due to the scattered population on this route, the Metro may face paucity of passengers in the beginning. “Once the Metro starts and its route stretches, there won’t be a shortage of passengers,” the MPMRCL official said. Stations in the city have been designed in such a way that a train of six coaches can be run through them.
“But initially, we will run a train with three coaches. If the number of passengers increases three more coaches can be added,” he said. According to him, 300 passengers, including 50 seated, can travel in a single Metro car.
5 trial runs going on in a day
As part of the preparations, Metro authorities have already commenced five trial runs daily between Gandhi Nagar and Super Corridor Station 3.
During these trial runs, Metro officials are on board to monitor the operations, evaluate the journey and address any issue immediately. Following each trial, the journey is thoroughly reviewed and necessary adjustments made. The trial runs have already begun to attract public attention, with residents gathering to witness the Metro running along the Super Corridor route.
Metro’s foundation laid in 2019
The foundation of the first phase of the Metro rail project, with a total cost of Rs 7,500.80 crore, was laid in Indore on September 14, 2019. Under this, a ring-shaped Metro rail corridor of about 31.50 km is to be built in the city.
Metro to reach Radisson by July 25
The Metro management plans to initially operate the service between Gandhi Nagar Station and Super Corridor Station 3. By July 2025, it is expected to extend its operations from Gandhi Nagar Depot to Radisson Square. This means that within the next seven months, residents will be able to travel comfortably from the Super Corridor to Radisson Square via Metro.
