CRS flags concerns regarding readiness of Metro Rail’s Porur-Vadapalani stretch

The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) who visited the Porur-Vadapalani stretch last week observed  that this section was not ready for passenger operations at the moment due to a couple of reasons. However, no such problems were observed in the stretch from Poonamallee to Porur.

On the day of inspection, the CRS found that there were a few issues in the Porur to Vadapalani stretch which needed to be resolved to meet passenger safety standards and only then could the stretch be opened for commuters.

According to officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), “We are complying with the instructions of the CRS and have already started taking steps to finish the work on the issues highlighted by him. Once it is done, we will submit the compliance report, and can get clearance for this stretch after the second round of inspection and the speed trials which are likely to take place on 25 February,” an official said.

CMRL plans to open the first stretch of the phase II project from Poonamallee to Vadapalani via Porur this month. 

Originally, CMRL wanted to operate only between Poonamallee to Porur but later it proposed to extend the services till Vadapalani so that there will be connectivity to connect to the phase I network. While all stations between Poonamallee and Porur are ready, CMRL plans to operationalise the remaining stations between Alapakkam and Saligramam by June.

Sources said the CRS had concerns about the operation of trains between Alapakkam and Saligramam, as the construction work (including the double-decker corridor) will be under way on the upper level of the corridor.

Emergency evacuation

Among the major issues which needs corrective action include construction of emergency evacuation staircases (to rescue passenger safely in case the train stops midway due to a glitch) between Porur Junction and Vadapalani, lighting arrangements to be provided in the walkway, casting of deck slabs yet to be completed in some locations along the double-decker corridor (in the corridor 5 level) between Alapakkam and Alwarthirunagar, and grouting of quite a lot overhead equipment (OHE) masts to be completed for structural stability.

Sources said, one of the points raised during the inspection was, in case the train was to stop midway at Alapakkam, how can passengers walk on the track till Vadapalani. CMRL officials said they have already commenced work for building emergency evacuation staircases at both Alwarthirunagar and Valasaravakkam.

“In the stations from Alapakkam to Saligramam, we did have emergency staircases for passengers from platform to concourse. But from concourse to street level, we planned to utilise the worksite staircases in case of an emergency. It is a very rare event that a train may stop, and passengers will have to use the emergency walkway. In any case, we are complying with their instructions and will have an exclusive passenger walkway in these two stations. All the remaining stations along this stretch will have this facility once the work is completed,” he added.

Officials said they will complete the work to lay the deck slab along the double-decker corridor. “We will not carry out concretising work along Alapakkam to Saligramam during the period of train operations. Only during the night, such type of work will be carried out. We will provide a safety manual as well this week in this regard to the CRS. We are also engaging a safety auditor for the construction plan to ensure passenger safety for corridor 5,” another official said.