MUMBAI: The first prototype train for the Metro 3 underground corridor (Colaba-Bandra-Seepz) will arrive in August, and the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) is also expected to commence trails in the same month.
MMRCL's managing director Ashwini Bhide inspected the train delivery areas at Sariput Nagar and also reviewed the progress of stations, tunnels and systems work.
Bhide tweeted, "First prototype train of Mumbai Metro is expected to arrive in August. Initial design proving trials runs of the same will be undertaken inside the tunnel."
The first prototype rake, which will arrive from Sri city in Andhra Pradesh, will undergo trail runs of 2000km. These trials will be carried out on a 3km-long stretch of between Marol Naka Metro station and a temporary facility of parking set up near Marol-Maroshi road end.
Dispatch of the second train from Sri City will be decided later, based on the outcome of trial runs with the first prototype train but most likely this will arrive by November. Speed, oscillation and emergency break distance trials will be conducted, along with testing of other systems.
The new government led by chief minister Eknath Shinde and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has made it clear that it will go ahead with the depot at Aarey despite protests by activists.
MMRC has targeted opening Phase I of the Metro 3 corridor between Aarey and BKC by December 2023.
