CMRL fast tracks underground metro project

Chennai Metro Rail Limited is all set to conduct trial runs of the underground metro line in the stretch with all electrical and electronic systems in place. Currently, trains are being tested on the 9km line in manual mode, as signal systems are not entirely functional yet and on this score, the metro rail engineers are currently striving hard to meet deadlines, as they are now installing signal systems between Shenoy Nagar and Nehru Park area, which is a part of corridor 2 of phase-1 comprising seven stations. The installation of signal systems has begun and the company is looking to put in place the entire mechanism by the end of this year. After its commissioning, commuters can expect the city's first underground metro rail line to be up and running in the first quarter of next financial year. Metro-rail has been conducting trial runs between Thirumangalam and Nehru Park in manual mode at a speed of 25km/hr as against the maximum speed of 80km/hr.