Rake trials on Vanaz-Garware College ‘priority’ Metro stretch in one month

The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MahaMetro) is planning to start trials on the Vanaz-Garware College stretch in a month after the successful run on the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation-Dapodi section. The rakes arrived recently and the MahaMetro would mount them on the viaducts in the next few weeks to initiate the trials. Detailed planning is under way for the installation. The Vanaz-Garware stretch is a part of the Line 2 — the completely elevated VanazRamwadi corridor. The trial runs would be conducted on smaller stretches in the initial stage as the work of some portions of the viaduct is still under way. The work of laying tracks has been completed where the viaduct is ready. The pending work of the viaduct is expected to get over in a few days. Hemant Sonawane, the general manager (public relations) of MahaMetro, said, “We have sped up the viaduct work in the Vanaz-Garware College priority section. The work of tracks and poles for the overhead traction is on in full swing. The trials will begin in phases either by this month end or early next month (April).” The MahaMetro had conducted trials of the rake on the PCMC-Dapodi stretch (a part of Line 1, from PCMC to Swargate) in phases. The trials were on for almost a year. The rake was operated on the entire section in the last stages of the trials. A similar strategy would be adopted for the 5km Vanaz-Garware College stretch as well. An official from the MahaMetro said, “The works were pending in two crucial stretches — near Paud Phata and ahead of Shivteerthnagar on Paud Road. We are hoping that the viaducts at both locations will be ready soon as most hurdles that delayed the work has been cleared.” In addition to this, the MahaMetro has also accelerated the work of stations in VanazGarware College section”. The Paud Phata Metro section joins Paud Road and Karve Road. The viaduct takes a sharp turn along the curve. It is also a busy junction in terms of road traffic. Hence, the completion of work in this stretch stands important for the Metro as well as for the road users. “The start of the trials is the most crucial part of the project as it checks various parameters — alignment of tracks, gradient, curves and alignment of viaducts,” another official said.