PUNE: The new aluminium Metro rake has become a temporary office for a team of technicians, who sit inside with their gadgets to set and test the required parameters during the trial runs on the Vanaz-Garware College viaduct stretch.
The workers are engaged in the cabling work, required for signaling and other networks, in the coaches.
The rake has trips on the 5km-long route almost daily. Occasionally, it even runs at a speed of 80kmph as part of the trials. However, the MahaMetro said that when introduced for the commuters, the speed of the rake would remain around 40kmphr.
The MahaMetro has ordered a total of 34 rakes. Two more rakes are expected to arrive soon. The rake comprises three coaches, with each one having a capacity of accommodating as many as 320 passengers and a total capacity of 970 passengers.
Use of aluminum has reduced the weight of the rake and thus it will save more energy. The rake will also have all advanced facilities such as CCTV camera network, air-conditioned coaches, separate space for people with physical challenges, automatic door closing system, electric display boards, announcement system, the MahaMetro stated.
An official said, “Thorough checks of the rake are underway on various technical parameters. Some vital points being checked by the team of experts include the pick-up of the rake, acceleration and reduction in speed, riding index of the rake, noise levels of coaches at various speeds, jerks, braking system, application of emergency brakes. The checks are also being done on the load carrying capacity of train. This means how the rake will run at full capacity of passengers. Many checks are being conducted through simulation techniques to check the performance and set the parameters”.
According to the MahaMetro, the checks and inspections will continue for a month as minute detailing is required of every aspect. The certification will be issued by the Research Designs & Standards Organization (RDSO) and then by the railway board.
Hemant Sonawane, the general manager (PR) at MahaMetro said, “Inspection and certification of the rake is a long and technical process. The teams are working all through the day”.
The rake will receive a certification from the RDSO and railway board while the tracks and safety aspects are being certified by the commissioner of metro rail safety (CMRS).
Another official said that the process of inspection of the rake and track was started last month on the priority stretches since all the works had reached at final stages.
