The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) began integrated trial runs in March on the section between Aarey and Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), which is a significant step towards the launch of the first phase of Mumbai Metro Line 3.
The integrated trials aim to ensure that trains run smoothly by validating their compatibility with signalling, telecommunications, track infrastructure, and traction systems.
According to Hindustan Times, the first phase of the Mumbai Metro Line 3, also known as the Aqua Line, is expected to be operational in April 2024. Also, MMRC’s Managing Director (MD), Ashwini Bhide, stated on December 28, 2023, that the first phase of the Aarey-BKC route will be ready for public use by April 2024.
Integrated trial runs for #Metro3 has been commenced. Various systems like rolling stock (coach), signal telecommunications, tracks traction etc., are being validated during the trial runs which is being carried out between #BKC to #AareyAfter completion of trials and… pic.twitter.com/Mqk7lYxW25
— MumbaiMetro3 (@MumbaiMetro3) March 12, 2024
Individual systems will be certified by an independent safety assessor (ISA) following the successful completion of integration testing. After acquiring the requisite certificates, the corporation will seek the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) for the necessary statutory approvals to begin passenger services. Furthermore, the segment will be open to passengers once it has received CMRS approval.
The trial run was supposed to start in mid-February, but it was delayed due to unfinished construction on the shunting neck that will connect the Aarey depot to the main line. The 33-acre vehicle yard at Aarey serves as the basis for the maintenance of metro coaches on Mumbai Metro Line 3.
Mumbai Metro: Aarey-BKC Service
The route from Aarey to BKC comprises ten stations and nine trains. Two trains are reserved for repair and standby, while the remaining seven are in active operation. The plan calls for 260 round-trip services every day (130 in each direction) from 6 am to 11 pm, according to passenger demand.
The MMRCL has purchased 31 trains from Alstom, a French manufacturing company, for the whole 33.5-kilometer corridor, with 11 of them already delivered.
However, only nine will be deployed in phase one, with two now in testing. The Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Metro-3 Corridor, which spans 33.5 km and has 26 underground stations, intends to improve Mumbai’s public transit system.
The Mumbai Metro Aqua Line 3 connects to the suburban train, other Mumbai Metro lines, and existing forms of transportation at eight sites, including important rail termini, Grant Road, Mumbai Central, the MSRTC bus depot, Dadar, Mahalaxmi and BKC (which integrates with Mumbai Metro Line 2-B and Line 1).
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