Chennai: Ever since the commencement of Chennai Metro Rail Ltd’s (CMRL’s) safety inspection between AG-DMS and Washermanpet, there have been countless speculations about the inauguration date of the track.
Now it is said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to open it on 10 February. Not only that, officials have started trial run of empty trains since Tuesday.
On 19 January, Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) – Bengaluru circle K A Manoharan undertook the safety inspection of the final line of CMRL’s phase one project connecting AG-DMS and Washermanpet stations. He checked out various facilities at all the eight stations on the stretch including AG-DMS, Thousand Lights, LIC, Government Estate, Chennai Central, High Court, Mannadi and Washermenpet.
Post the two-day safety inspection, which concluded 20 January, trial runs on the track commenced. The process, which took place till Tuesday, never had any link with the existing active route between AG-DMS and Airport. But, last night at around 10 pm, officials started the trail run till Washermanpet.
The trains, which started from Airport with passengers, went on till Washermanpet after all the passengers got down at AG-DMS. Even the name boards of trains were updated with Washermanpet station being included.
Speaking to News Today, a CMRL spokesperson, said, “Trail runs are happening for the last few days but, from yesterday, empty trains are also being operated.”
It has been learnt that the inauguration should have happened on 27 January when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Tamilnadu. But, as that didn’t happen, sources said the inauguration is set to take place on 10 February when Modi will be back in Tamilnadu, to attend a public rally in Tirupur. Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami will also participate in the ceremony.
Union Minister of State (Independent charge) for Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri and Tamilnadu Industries Minister M C Sampath will participate in the separate launch event in Chennai.