Pune, India (Urban Transport News): The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha Metro) on December 31, 2019, has commenced the first metro train trial run on Sant Tukaram Nagar-Phugewadi section of Line-1 of Pune Metro Rail project. Maha Metro Managing Director Dr. Brijesh Dixit flagged off the first trial run in presence of other senior officials and staff. On December 30, 2019, the Maha Metro received a first three-coach train set from the Chinese Rolling Stock manufacture CRRC Corporation Limited (CRRC) and the train was successfully placed on the elevated track above the viaduct at Sant Tukaram Nagar Station.
"Pune Metro coach model was unveiled by Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri. Uddhav Thackeray & Hon'ble Guardian Minister Shri. Eknath Shinde on 27th Dec 2019. The metro train trial begins today in the presence of Dr. Brijesh Dixit, MD Maha Metro, and Directors of Maha Metro", twitted from official twitter handle of Pune Metro Rail project on 2nd January 2020.
On January 4, 2020, the Maha Metro received a second three-coach train set from the CRRC and the same has also been placed on the elevated track for the trial run of the two parallel tracks between Sant Tukaram Nagar Station and Phugewadi Metro station. It is pertinent to mention here that both train sets are received on a loan basis from the Nagapur Metro rail project as Titagarh Firema SpA (an Indian multinational firm) has been awarded the contract to supply 102 Aluminium bodied Metro Rail coaches for Pune Metro Rail Project.
On January 1, 2020, Pune Metro underground team achieved the first breakthrough of 200m tunnel within 25 days of work by TBM S78 Mutha at Agriculture College Ground for Underground route Shivajinagar-Swargate. The Gulermak-Tata Projects Limited JV had commenced the first tunneling work on December 9, 2019.
The new coaches of Pune Metro have many advanced features. Some of the salient features are:-