Metro train trial run begins on JBS-MGBS route

The Hyderabad Metro got a step closer to the launch of commercial operations on the much-awaited Jubilee Bus station (JBS) – Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS) route with trial runs beginning on the route on Monday.

The 11 km from JBS to MGBS will be covered in 16 minutes as against the 45 minute-journey by road to cover the same distance.

The JBS-MGBS section is part of the JBS-Falaknuma Corridor and there are nine stations, viz., JBS-Parade Grounds, Secunderabad West, Gandhi Hospital, Musheerabad, RTC Crossroads, Chikkadpally, Narayanguda, Sultan Bazaar and the MGBS.

During the trial runs to be carried out over the next few weeks, many technical specifications and safety standards especially dummy passenger evacuation tests and degraded mode operation tests etc will be tested. Emphasis will be on Signaling tests and safe train separation tests, brake test



by the signaling and train control system, OHE-Rolling stock (Metro coaches) current collection tests, passenger information announcements and display tests.

Data and other inputs collected during the trial runs will be sent online to Thales in Canada, which is supplying the Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) technology ot HRML. The signaling and train control software will be fine-tuned based on the inputs for safe operation of Metro trains in automatic mode with CBTC technology.

After receipt of safety certification from Thales, the Internal Safety Assessor (ISA) Halcrow and other related Indian and international organisations, the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) will be invited for final safety clearance of the corridor. After CMRS safety certification, the corridor will be thrown open for passenger operations.