Preparations are in full swing to see the Metro rail runs on the track and begins its service. The series of trial runs will begin on Wednesday under the supervision of a team of Research Design Standards Organisation (RDSO), Metro officials said. Once the trials are clear and get a go ahead from all the departments concerned, the much talked development project of the city will start serving the citizens probably by the month end.
The Metro officials took journalists for a visit to Sitabuldi station, a junction which would be change over for North-South and East-West routes. Sitabuldi is the biggest station of the Metro project covering 2.5 lakh square feet of areas spread across five floors, of which two floors will be dedicated for two Metro routes.
Giving information about the facilities at the Sitabuldi station Director Projects; Maha Metro; Mahesh Kumar said the station will have four entry and exit points. To begin with, the one at Tulshi School, opposite to Haldiram’s at Munje Square will be operational first. This entrance will have steps, a lift and escalator for the passengers. The other three entry and exit points will be one besides the Fortune Mall, the other at Yeshwant Stadium and the fourth one at Netaji Market – the place which will undergo redevelopment- the project too assigned to Maha Metro.
The work of laying tracks and OHE (Over Head Electric) lines is in full swing at Sitabuldi station. “Completing the work at Sitabuldi station was the biggest challenge before us. Bringing in raw materials, moving heavy machinery and carrying out the work without disturbing the traffic at the important junction of the city was really a big challenge. However, we are happy that not only we finished the task but we finished it ahead of schedule,” said Mr. Kumar. A number of innovative ideas had to be implemented looking at the constraints of the busy area, Mr. Kumar said adding when you succeed, it gives you pleasure.
First floor of the station will have commercial outlets while the fifth and the top floor will have the much-talked restaurant. “It would be another challenge to carry on the remaining work on the top floors while the Metro will be running beneath it,” Mahesh Kumar said.
The trial runs will begin from Khapri to Ajni, to Congress Nagar and finally to Sitabuldi. Once cleared, the Metro will start its operations from Khapri to Zero Mile covering the distance of approximately 13.5 kilometres.
