Maha Metro completes 11-km long Nagpur metro track in record 14 months

Nagpur (Urban Transport News): Even as Maha Metro gears up for launch of operations from Lokmanya Nagar to Sitabuldi, the laying of track on the 11 km route of the Nagpur Metro rail project has been completed in a record span of 14 months. Work on erecting OHE Cable is also going on in fast pace and is expected to be completed very soon. On March 7, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had flagged off the commercial operations of Nagpur Metro in Reach-I from Khapri to Sitabuldi and the frequency of services has also been increased with hourly trains.

After Khapri-Sitabuldi, a ride between Lokmanya Nagar and Subhash Nagar Metro Stations in a near future is a certainty. Similar to that of Reach-I, Maha Metro has used 1080 Grade head hardened rails on this route too. The 1080 Grade rails are so manufactured to ensure that the surface on which train moves has additional strength. This not just ensures longer life for the track but also minimises its maintenance. Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) has mandated use of 60 kg 1080 Grade rail for use in all Metro projects across the country.

Head Hardened Rails support and give extra stability to the wheels of metro train running on it. As much as 120 tonnes of material is required for laying of one km long rail track. Though the length of rail in other metros is 18 meters, the same stretches up to 25 meters in case of Nagpur metro project. These tracks have been imported from Russia. The rails have been manufactured by EVRAZ Company and its plant is located at West Siberia, Russia.

This metallurgical plant in West Siberia is the biggest rail manufacturing unit in Russia. EVRAZ is among the 20 reputed manufacturers of the world. Various trials like ultrasonic, electricity, profile mapping, sound wave tests were conducted on those rails after the manufacture, to ensure sturdiness. Maha Metro Nagpur has appointed one of the globally acclaimed agency – M/s SGS Vostok for testing and inspection of its rails. With track laying over and OHE Cable Work on the verge of completion, Metro Train ride from Sitabuldi to Lokmanya Nagar would be a reality soon.