Delhi (Metro Rail News): Since last year, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has begun converting the remaining fleet of six-coach trains to the new layout after converting most services on its three major lines to eight-coach trains.
The DMRC plans to complete the transition by the end of the year, adding 78 coaches to the 39 six-coach trains currently running on the Red Line (Rithala-Shaheed Sthal New Bus Adda).
The train company adding 120 coaches to its three oldest and busiest corridors to boost passenger capacity: Red Line, Yellow Line (HUDA City Centre-Samaypur Badli), and Blue Line (Dwarka-Noida Electronic City/Vaishali).
Last year, 12 Yellow Line trains were converted from six-coach to eight-coach format, bringing the total number of such lengthier trains on the route to 64.
By the end of 2021, the remaining nine six-coach trains on the Blue Line will have coaches added, bringing the total number of eight-coach trains on the corridor to 74.
According to the DMRC spokesperson, “the train company had started the process of adding 78 more coaches to its fleet of 39 six-coach trains on the Red Line at its Shastri Park depot. The first eight-coach train on this line will likely be ready by June 2022 and the remaining 38 by the end of 2022.”
This will significantly increase the carrying capacity of the corridor, which is approximately 35 KM long and has 29 stations.” In addition, the Red Line will now join the league of Blue and Yellow lines, which currently have eight coaches in their fleets, the spokesperson stated.
Bombardier provided 40 of the 120 coaches, while Bharat Earth Movers Limited provided the other 80. The endeavour to increase train carrying capacity comes at a time when ridership has plummeted due to the many restrictions imposed by Covid-19.
Even now, trains are only allowed to carry seated passengers, not standing individuals. This was when the trains were envisioned to carry a majority of standing passengers. The Red, Blue, and Yellow lines are the main corridors of the Delhi Metro, accounting for 40-50 per cent of daily passenger usage.
These corridors, which were first put into service during Phase I, use broad gauge tracks to accommodate trains of up to eight coaches.
All of the following phases’, including the high-speed Airport Express Line, have used standard gauge tracks, which allow for tighter curves but only allow for trains to run in a six-coach formation.
While more eight-coach trains are needed on congested lines like the Blue and Yellow Lines to accommodate more commuters and provide social distancing, DMRC is introducing 36 coaches on the Airport Express Line separately.
More trains will be required to ensure that the frequency of services is not hampered by the extension of the standalone corridor from Dwarka Sector 21 to the planned International Convention Centre at Dwarka.
