Delhi Metro starts trial runs from Central Secretariat to Badarpur

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is conducting trial runs on a small section of the 15 km Central Secretariat-Badarpur line. The 5-km section of the line between Sarita Vihar and Badarpur was to open before the Commonwealth Games on Monday.

Sources say the section would open to commuters in the next few weeks ahead of Diwali.

Trial runs on the section, which has three stations- Mohan Estate, Tughlakabad and Badarpur started with the energisation of the overhead-electrification system.

According to a DMRC spokesperson, train services on the line would be extended till Badarpur following completion of the trial runs after clearance is received from the Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety.

The spokesman said that during trial runs, the interaction of the metro train with physical infringements (civil structure) would be checked to ensure there is no blockage during train movement on the track. He added that the entire signaling system would also be rigorously tested.

Also the train's response at different speeds, braking of the train and interconnection with the Operations Control Centre would also be monitored during the trials. The behaviour of the track system as also that of the electrification would be repeatedly checked during the trials.

According to the spokesperson the line was one of the most challenging lines to construct of the DMRC due to the short time frame for the construction.

The line has stations at Central Secretariat, Khan Market, JLN Stadium and Jangpura, Lajpat Nagar, Moolchand, Kailash Colony, Nehru Place, Kalkaji Mandir, Govindpuri, Okhla, Jasola-Apollo and Sarita Vihar,Mohan Estate, Tughlakabad and Badarpur Metro Stations.