CMRS gives safety clearance for Kochi Metro’s Thykoodam–Pettah Section

Kochi, India (Urban Transport News): Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) on 29 May 2020 (Friday) received the safety clearance certificate from Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) for the commencement of the metro train operation on 1.12 km Thykoodam–Pettah stretch. On 26 May 2020, a five-member team led by K. Manoharan, CMRS, from the Indian Railways’ Southern Circle commenced inspection of inspected the 1.33-km corridor and the Pettah station of Line 1 of Kochi Metro Rail project. On the next day, the team inspected civil structures like pile foundation, piers, girders, special bridges, and steel bridges, apart from various design aspects and tracks in either direction.

The CMRS team also inspected lifts and escalators at the Pettah station, fire hydrants and a fire fighting system, third rail from which trains source power, auxiliary and traction sub-stations, emergency tripping switch, and emergency telephones. After found satisfactory, the CMRS issued safety clearance to KMRL. However, due to countrywide restriction on metro train services by the Central Government, the services on this stretch will be commenced after lifting the COVID-19 restrictions. Alkesh Kumar Sharma, Managing Director of Kochi Metro Rail Limited said:

The viaduct and the station had been completed in March. The inspection was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We will resume operations on the entire route as soon as we get the government’s nod.

Earlier the inspection was planned on 25th March 2020 but due to the outbreak of COVID-19 Pandemic and countrywide lockdown, the same was differed and rescheduled on 26th May 2020. Metro train trial run on the Thykoodam–Pettah Section was successfully completed in February this year. The Thykoodam–Pettah section is the final leg of 25-km long Phase 1 of the Kochi Metro Rail project. After the opening of the metro services on this stretch, the Kochi Metro will be fully operational on Line 1. Kochi Metro Rail Limited is currently working on the 2.9 km long extension of Line-1 from Pettah to Tripunithura. Construction on 1.79 km long stretch between Pettah and SN Junction is being carried out by KEC-CCECC JV and for the remaining 1.163-km stretch between SN Junction and Tripunithura bids invited by the KMRL.