KOCHI (Metro Rail News): Even as the Vyttila Junction continues to be a mess, and controversies rock construction of Vyttila flyover, the Kochi Metro chugged along the viaduct over the busy junction on Wednesday.
For the first time, the Metro trains carried out a trial run between Maharaja’s College Ground and Thykoodam stretch, announcing the arrival of Metro service through the newly completed stretch.
The launch of Metro service linking Vyttila Junction is expected to provide relief to commuters, who struggle to move through the congested city roads. According to Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL), the trial run started from Maharaja’s College Ground at 6.55am and the train reached Thykoodam by 8.21am. The return journey resumed from Thykoodam at 8.45am and reached Elamkulam by 9.25am.
The second train started from Elamkulam at 11.46am and reached Thykoodam by 12.40pm. The same train returned to Maharaja’s College Ground station and reached there by 1.30pm.
There are five stations – Ernakulam South, Kadavanathra, Elamkulam, Vyttila, and Thykoodam – along the stretch. The trial run, conducted at a speed of 5 km/ hour, covered a distance of 5.45km.
Officials from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and KMRL monitored the trial run. Various tests are being done to analyze the strength of Metro viaduct and other structures along the route.
The trains carry sandbags to match the weight of passengers. According to KMRL officials, trial runs are likely to continue till the commissioning of the new stretch.
The rolling stock and track test are to be done during the test run. A compatibility test will also be carried out. “It is expected that the Metro service till Thykoodam will begin before September,” said a KMRL official.
