CMRS to conduct safety inspection of Phase 1B of Jaipur Metro in March

Jaipur, India (Urban Transport News): After conducting 90 days internal trial test of the metro train on phase 1B corridor, Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation (JMRC) is all set to open for the public, after getting the safety clearance from the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS). In this regard, the JMRC is planning to invite CMRS in the last week of February.

The CMRS may conduct a safety inspection of the Phase 1B corridor in March at any time. The 2.4-km long corridor is fully underground and finishing work is expected to be completed in the mid of February, according to JMRC officials. The underground corridor is an expansion of Phase-I (Mansarovar to Chandpole) of the Jaipur Metro Rail project. “We are already conducting internal trials. We will invite the CMRS by the end of February.

During the inspection, the commissioner will check track parameters, tunnels, and the stations, calibration of the trains and firefighting system among others,”  said a senior JMRC official. “The office of the commissioner for Safety RK Sharma will independently inspect the track, signal system, load testing, and traction and other technical issues involved in the operation of Metro trains. When everything is found to be functioning properly, a certificate will be issued,” said another JMRC official.

“We believe that we will get the certificate by the end of March. In February, the office of the Commissioner for Safety will inspect the technical operation and then we will fix the issues highlighted in the report. We hope that all the formalities will be completed and the Metro will start running between Chandpole and Badi Chaupar sometime in April", he added. The JMRC started an internal trial run in November last year on Phase IB corridor which has an underground length of 2.4km from Chandpole to Badi Chaupar in the Walled City.

However, the internal trials were initiated first time on this stretch in September 2018 but it was failed as the project was not completed. Phase I of Jaipur Metro Rail project which comprising Phase 1A and 1B covering a total distance of 12.07 km. Out of, 9.63-km long Phase 1A corridor is made operational on June 3, 2015, after spending Rs 2,023 crore.

The total cost of Phase I have been estimated to Rs 3,149 crore. Phase 1B was missed several deadlines due to some issues including a stay by the Apex Court on mining sand, the poor performance of the Phase 1A corridor, the shifting of seven temples and the design change of two underground stations.