DELHI (Metro Rail News): Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation (HMRTC) has started work on a backup power system for Gurgaon’s Rapid Metro after Friday’s grid failure stopped metro services for hours. The agency now wants to add a second electricity source so trains can continue running even if one feeder fails. Right now, Rapid Metro depends only on the Sector 56 substation for power. Because of this, the entire corridor shuts down whenever the line faces a technical problem. In comparison, the Delhi Metro Yellow Line uses two separate power sources, which helps services continue during outages.
HMRTC officials said the new setup will allow automatic switching between two feeders. If one power line develops a fault, the system will immediately shift operations to the second line without affecting train movement. “The move aims to ensure that metro operations never halt again due to grid failures,” an official said.
What HMRTC plans to do
- Add a dedicated alternate power supply line for Rapid Metro
- Create a parallel feeder system for uninterrupted operations
- Install automatic switching technology between power sources
- Strengthen safety and backup systems for traction power
Officials expect the new system to become operational within four months. HMRTC discussed the backup plan last year, but Friday’s disruption forced the agency to speed up the process. HMRTC Managing Director Chander Shekhar Khare said the project has already received approval. “The enhanced arrangement will secure continuous metro operations and reassure commuters who depend on the service daily,” Khare said.
How the blackout happened
The disruption started after a fire and explosion at a 220 kV substation of Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam in Sector 72 on Friday. Officials said extreme heat and thermal stress damaged a current transformer, leading to oil leakage and a fire. The explosion damaged nearby equipment and affected electricity supply across several substations in Gurgaon. The fault disrupted power supply to:
- 220 kV substations in Sectors 52 and 56
- 66 kV substations in Sectors 15, 38, 44 and 46
- Maruti industrial area
The outage also affected Rapid Metro operations, leaving many commuters stranded during peak hours. Once the second feeder becomes operational, HMRTC expects Rapid Metro services to remain stable even during major grid failures.
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