|
| Slower rake induction plagues Kolkata Metro |
| BS Reporter / Kolkata Sep 21, 2010, 00:00 IST |
|
The introduction of new rakes into the Kolkata Metro is progressing slower than initially anticipated.
The city's transportation lifeline, which is run by Indian Railways, has, so far, been unable to press into service the two new rakes that have been built by the Chennai's Integral Coach Factory (ICF).
These two air-conditioned rakes are part of 13 such trains that the Kolkata Metro is slated to bring in, as a part of its modernisation drive.
This is despite the fact that sources had earlier indicated that August had been set as the target date for introducing these rakes into the Kolkata Metro system. The ongoing shortage of rakes, in the face of increasing ridership, is leading to frequent breakdowns and snags.
"ICF and RDSO engineers are continuing the trials with the prototypes at the Noapara Car Shed. A lot of work has to be done before these rakes can start plying. No date has been fixed, but it can be expected that the new rakes will be introduced in another month," an official said.
RDSO (Research Designs and Standards Organisation) is the sole research and development organisation of Indian Railways, which functions as the technical advisor to Railway Board, Zonal Railways and production units. Incidentally, the procurement of the two rakes itself had seen a delay. The date for their delivery, which was originally March 31, 2010, had to be pushed back to June-July.
ICF officials had then said that the construction of the prototype rakes could be delayed as certain required materials had to sourced from Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL), if the plan were to be completed on time. “But once these two rakes are introduced, the remaining number will follow shortly. And integrating them into the system will be easier,” the Kolkata Metro official added.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Read Business news in |  |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advertisements |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Content Guide
