Noida Metro’s Aqua line may begin in Sept

NOIDA: The Noida Metro’s aqua line, connecting Sector 52 with Knowledge Park in Greater Noida, is expected to start functioning by September, officials said on Saturday.

While trial runs of the available coaches have been going on since January, the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO), the nodal agency nominated by the ministry of Railways for the conduct of oscillation trials, will begin inspections in the third week of May.

A meeting of senior officials from the Delhi metro rail corporation (DMRC), the Noida metro rail corporation (NMRC), the Noida Authority and the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (Yeida) took place on Saturday to review the progress of the aqua line.

Officials said that while the first 10 kilometre-stretch from Depot Station to Sector 147 had been handed over by the DMRC to the RDSO for oscillation trials, the remaining 20 kilometres would be ready in the next couple of months. The RDSO’S trials for the first stretch would begin in the third week of May and were expected to be completed in a fortnight, said officials.

“We hope the line will become operational by August-september. Trials are on since January and progress rate along the line is good,” Mangu Singh, managing director of DMRC, said.

Officials said that inspection by the commissioner for metro rail safety and other required clearances would be the next major milestone.

A total of 11 trains are required to start commercial operations immediately. As on date, three trains are already undergoing extensive testing, while the next three trains are expected to be delivered at the depot in June.the remaining trains are expected to be delivered timely, according to NMRC officials.