AGRA (Metro Rail News): The Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) recently concluded a thorough two-day safety evaluation of Agra Metro’s Phase 1 project, focusing on its vital 5.2 km Priority Corridor linking Jama Masjid to Taj East Gate.
This priority route, boasting a remarkable combination of three underground stations (Fatehabad Road, Basai, & Taj East Gate) and three elevated stations (Jama Masjid, Agra Fort, & Taj Mahal), was constructed rapidly to meet stringent timelines.
During the inspection, conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday, the CMRS meticulously assessed passenger amenities and control room facilities across all six stations. A detailed motor trolley examination of critical systems, including tracks provided by Larsen & Toubro, was carried out. The assessment culminated in a speed trial, with one of Agra Metro’s 3-coach Alstom trains achieving a top speed of 90 kmph.
Construction milestones were highlighted, including the commencement of work by Sam India Builtwell on the 2.4 km elevated package AGCC-01 in December 2020, and by Afcons Infrastructure on the 2.8 km underground section (part of the 7.93 km package AGCC-02) in April 2022. Notably, trial runs on the viaduct and through tunnels commenced in July 2023 and December 2023, respectively.
Reports suggest that the CMRS has already submitted their approval letter to UPMRC. While conditional in nature, the approval signifies a significant step toward operational readiness. The next steps entail UPMRC addressing any identified conditions promptly, followed by a compliance report submission to CMRS.
With the imminent launch of the Priority Corridor, Agra Metro is poised to become India’s 17th operational metro system, marking a significant milestone in the country’s urban transport landscape.