Metro train clears main hurdles

BANGALORE: Bangalore Metro seems to be getting a big push. First, the long-awaited certification process for Reach-1 will finally begin. Second, rules relating to operations have been published in the central gazette. With this, Bangalore now gets a step closer to its Metro dream.
The oscillation trials along the pilot track between Byappanahalli and MG Road are expected to take off anytime now.Dinesh Kumar Singh, new in-charge commissioner for railway safety (CRS) who was in the city on Monday, confirmed that he had given the green signal for Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO) to conduct the trials shortly.
"We are now giving the clearances one by one. The trials will begin as soon as the RDSO confirms its preparedness," he told TOI.
WHAT NEXT?
With this new approval, CRS has cleared one of the main blocks in Bangalore Metro's safety certification process. A team from RDSO, Lucknow, will now come to Bangalore.
On rough estimates, the trials will take a minimum 15 days to complete. After this, the RDSO will submit its comprehensive report to the ministry of railways. The CRS will then decide on the final inspection date for the crucial safety clearance without which Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC) cannot begin its commercial operations.
"BMRC has been submitting data. But this will not be enough. Even after the RDSO report comes in, I will have to physically inspect and verify all these details. The process has, however, begun," D K Singh explained.
Asked about the timeline for the certification process, he said: "The certification involves various agencies and will certainly take time as we need to check all the safety and operational parameters. But my final inspection will not take more than one week."
Will Bangalore Metro become a reality? "It's a difficult question right now. But we have been involved with the Delhi Metro certification too and there was no problem. Bangalore Metro has also followed the Delhi model," he said. Once CRS grants the final safety clearance, BMRC must decide on the date to flag off regular operations along Reach-1.
WHAT ARE OSCILLATION TRIALS (OT)?
OT involves a series of trials conducted by RDSO to check train performance on the actual track under various load capacities and speeds and then compare it with design values.
During the trials, the train will be tested at different speeds of up to 90 kmph to measure the lateral and vertical acceleration (wobbling of coaches) at different locations. The values must be within the specified limit.
The tests will also be repeated under different load conditions (full/empty). OT will also include the emergency braking distance trials. This is to check if the train stops within a specified distance and time on applying the emergency brake.