Signalling trial takes place successfully at Metro's Pink Line

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation on Friday commenced full signalling trials on a 20 kilometre stretch between Durgabai Deshmukh South Campus (near Dhaula Kuan) and Majlis Park on the upcoming Majlis Park–Shiv Vihar corridor of Delhi Metro Pink Line.

A DMRC press statement read: "These trials will test maximum automation of the new Metro trains, equipped with Unattended Train Operations (UTO) and the new age CBTC (Communication Based Train Control) signaling system, which will enable the movement of trains with a frequency of about 90 to 100 seconds, thus significantly enhancing the carrying capacity of the Delhi Metro system. The train will run on the UTO mode to check how the new trains are coordinating with the new signaling technology. This is also the first time that such a long section is being tested in one go."

Signalling trials on this section is a significant step towards the eventual commissioning of the stretch.

"Trial runs were started between Mayapuri and Shakurpur (6.5 km) on this corridor in June, while last month, a Metro train had passed through the Delhi Metro system's highest point at Dhaula Kuan for the first time," the statement added.

The 20 km stretch is extremely important from the point of view of enhancing connectivity along the arterial Ring Road.

"The section has 12 stations (8 elevated and 4 underground) including four interchange stations," a DMRC official said.

"With the commencement Friday's trials, regular trials will also begin through Delhi Metro's highest point at Dhaula Kuan at a height of 23.6 metres. Construction of this stretch above flyovers and the viaduct of the Airport Express Line was a major engineering achievement.

"The stretch is also adorned by many other engineering landmarks such as the four steel bridges at Mayapuri, Rajouri Garden, Shakurpur and Punjabi Bagh," the DMRC statement further read.