Chennai: Of the 42 rakes needed to operate services on the 45km network, Alstom has delivered 37 rakes. However, only nine rakes are being used to operate trains on the Koyambedu-Alandur elevated line. In early July, CMRL received its 37th train at its depot at Koyambedu. More than 25 new trains are under various stages of testing.
Rakes, each comprising four cars, are being delivered one after another and being tested, but the opening of the lines are behind schedule. The 9km stretch between Little Mount and Airport was scheduled to be opened for public in mid-August, but it remains a work in progress despite final clearance from the commissioner of metro rail safety.
Metro rail’s only functional line between Koyambedu and Alandur was launched in June 2015. About nine trains that were imported are being used on this stretch after a completion certificate was issued following several rounds of testing. Preventive maintenance activities, which include 72-hour inspection, monthly maintenance, quarterly maintenance, half yearly and annual maintenance, are being carried out on these nine trains by a rolling stock maintenance team. The contractor also conducts corrective maintenance.
While passengers are hoping that the airport line would be opened soon, it is not clear if commissioning of other stretches Alandur to St Thomas Mount scheduled for opening in October and the underground stretch between Tirumangalam and Nehru Park will get affected due to the delay in completing the airport line.