The much-anticipated trial runs of the prototype rake for Metro 3 (Colaba-Bandra-Seepz section) began today (30 August) on a three km stretch between Sariput Nagar and Marol Naka metro station.
The trial run began at 11 am from Sariput Nagar in Aarey, in the presence of chief minister Eknath Shinde and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Speed, oscillation, and emergency brake distance trials will be carried out, as well as testing other systems.
The Alstom trains produced cars for a prototype train whose manufacturing plant is based in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh.
According to The Economic Times reports, the second train from Sri City will be dispatched later, based on the results of the trial runs of the prototype train.
Even though the prototype rake was ready, the delivery was delayed due to uncertainty regarding the depot, which the previous government wanted to relocate to Kanjurmarg.
The approvals for the dispatch of the prototype rake and trials came as soon as the Shinde – Fadnavis government took power following the resignation of Uddhav Thackeray as chief minister.
Mumbai Metro Line 3
Metro Line 3 is a 33.5 km long underground corridor running along Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ. The corridor length is marked with 27 key stations, out of which 26 will be underground.
Metro Line 3 would connect Mumbai’s key financial hubs, such as Nariman Point, Bandra-Kurla-Complex, Fort, Worli, Lower Parel, Goregaon, etc. The metro will provide for the first time connectivity to the airport, Nariman Point, Cuffe Parade, Kalbadevi, Worli, BKC, Airport, SEEPZ and MIDC.
Besides, two crucial heritage stations of Mumbai, i.e. CSTM and Churchgate, will also get joined through the alignment.
By 2023, MMRCL hopes to have finished building Metro Line 3. These trains will run on a 25 KV AC traction supply and have a maximum passenger carrying capacity of 2,350.
