Final safety audit begins forCMRL’s phase II stretch from Poonamallee to Vadapalani

The final and the most important safety audit began for Chennai Metro Rail’s phase II project stretch from Poonamallee to Vadapalani on Wednesday before the launch of train services later this month.

Around 9.30 a.m., the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS), southern circle, Anant Madhukar Chowdhary, and his team of officials commenced the inspection from the Poonamallee Bypass Metro Rail station.

He and his team examined all the facilities in the stations along this stretch. Later, they will conduct the speed trials of the train. The stretch will open for passenger services only after CMRS’ approval.

The Poonamallee-Vadapalani stretch of the phase II project comprises a part of corridor 4 from Poonamallee to Light House. But, not all stations between Poonamallee and Vadapalani will be ready when the train services start this month. Poonamallee Bypass, Poonamallee, Mullaithottam, Karayanchavadi, Kumananchavadi, Kattupakkam, Iyyapanthangal, Thelliyaragaram, Porur Bypass, Porur Junction, and Vadapalani will be accessible to commuters.

Sources said, of these stations, CMRS inspected the viaduct and stations from Poonamallee Bypass to Kattupakkam on Wednesday. The remaining stations Iyyapanthangal, Thelliayaragaram, Porur Bypass, Porur Junction, and Vadapalani will be inspected on Thursday.

The CMRS and his team checked the working of escalators, elevators, Passenger Information Display System, Platform Screen Doors, fire alarm system among others, a source said.

“He also checked the alignment of the track in the stations, in the curves of the alignment and the crossover section of the viaduct. This aside, he also verified the measurements of the platform, its width, overhead electrical equipment’s height and its other parameters,” another source said. These aspects will be checked in the remaining stations on Thursday. Here, the CMRS and his team will examine the signalling system and check if various systems are integrated perfectly and whether the train runs without any glitch and if it is safe for passengers to travel.

Initially, the speed trials were scheduled to be held on February 13. But it is not clear whether it may happen this week or may get pushed to the next week. “An Independent Safety Assessment certificate has to come and we are expecting it shortly. Once we submit it to CMRS, he will hold speed trials,” he added.