Chennai Metro Rail: High quality tracks which will allow the run of 1 metro train every 3 minutes
High quality railway tracks are manufactured for the Chennai Metro Rail Project which can withstand plying of trains at every 3 minutes.
These tracks are manufactured in Brazil. The tracks were inspected by Chennai Metro Rail Project authorities last week.
Chennai Metro Rail Project is planned at the current cost of Rs. 20000 Crores for covering a total distance of 45 km in double tracks.
As a 1st stage, the section between Koyambedu & Alandur over a distance of 10 km will be opened for the public use by end October.
Tracks of international quality with a gap of 1.435 metres are being laid. These tracks are designed to withstand the running of 1 train every 3 minutes especially during the peak traffic period. The tracks are manufactured in Brazil and shipped to Chennai. Last week, an inspection committee of Metro Rail Project Authorities and L & T officicials visited Brazil for inspecting the manufacture of the tracks. The inspection lasted 2 days.
The tracks, especially the upper layers, will be capable of withstanding the running of 1 train every 3 minutes. Generally, as per the Indian Standards the weight of 1 metre track is 52 kg. However, the weight of the track for Metro Rail is 60 kg per metre. Its life will be double. It also costs 20% extra.
As a 1st stage for laying the double tracks for a total distance of 45 km, it is planned to lay tracks for a length of 230 km (covering 4 lines). 60 km of tracks have already reached Chennai from Brazil.
40 km of this track consignment will be used for laying the double track (4 lines) of 10 km in the section between Koyambedu & Alandur.. Another 20 km is used for laying a test track at the Koyambedu workshop.
The laying of the tracks is jointly taken up by L & T and Alstom.
