It’s Not Trial Run, Says Hyderabad Metro

Curiosity reigned among people of Nagole and Uppal who had the first glimpse of Hyderabad Metro Rail chugging on the main tracks between Nagole and Survey of India yesterday. While media widely reported this as a trial run, the Metro officials cleared the air by saying the trial runs would take few more months and what we are seeing now is a functional acceptability test (FAT) carried out by the Korea-based Hyundai-Rotterdam which is supplying the model coaches for Metro Rail project.

Before going for trial runs, the Korea-based company is carrying out a series of important tests that include track, communication, safety, track alignment, surface, electrical traction, fail safe pneumatic emergency air braking, seating arrangements and several other engineering and safety tests. “We need to test all the components in the train, including air-conditioning, signalling, track and alignment issues. These need to be checked and also verified whether they are synchronising with each other. These are routine tests and many more such tests will be conducted.” said an engineer.

Only after passing these important tests, Metro will go for trial runs in a few months time. Since one month, several tests were being carried out inside the Uppal Metro Rail depot. After completing the functional tests, the coaches were transported on to the elevated tracks a few days ago.  On Thursday, the train carried only three officers in it’s test. After a few days, load testing will be carried out when the train will be loaded with cement bags to check how much load it can carry, said a Metro official.

Hyderabad Metro has gone for the latest communication-based train control (CBTC) technology for the first time in India.