CMRL switch of a/c at stations, trains due to water scarcity
Posted on: 28/May/2019 9:59:51 AM
How many of us know that an underground metro station needs 9000 litres of water every day and out of those 7000 litres are needed to operate the air-conditioning units.
Now the situation in Chennai is such that water is regarded more precious by the people than gold and this is due to the water scarcity. In order to save water that is being used for air-conditioners, CMRL or Chennai Metro Rail Limited has been switching off the air-conditioners in the underground metro stations in the last few days.
The latest news is the commuters are complaining about the air-conditioning units not working in the metro trains also. As a result of this, the commuters are feeling highly uncomfortable now in this scorching summer of Chennai.
It is well known that during the peak hours the metro trains are usually crowded and it is now said that the commuters find travelling in the metro trains suffocating. It is common to see people standing in the packed metro train from airport to Washermanpet wiping of sweat from their faces using their handkerchiefs.
A regular commuter expressed his unhappiness about switching off air-conditioners and spoke about how some of the a/c ducts do not blow any air into the metro trains. Metro trains were cooler than the stations earlier but the situation is worse now. It must be noted that CMRL has been switching off the a/c in the non-peak hours of time between 12 and 5 pm to save water because water has become scarce in Chennai.
Breeze blowing through the entry points of the metro stations has made the commuters little comfortable. The point is waiting on the platforms or sitting inside the metro trains has become uncomfortable and inconvenient for the commuters now as there is no means of ventilation. It is now revealed by CMRL that they have been gradually reducing the capacity of the air-conditioning system present in the metro stations in Chennai. This is done only after making sure that the ventilation and the oxygen levels are maintained so that the commuters feel comfortable waiting at the metro stations.
An official belonging to CMRL explained how a/c system was switched off once in a hour to make sure 26 degree Celsius is maintained at both the platforms and concourse levels. He then revealed that by switching off the a/c around 30 percent of water was saved at every metro station.
Point is air-conditioning units in the metro trains work in full capacity from 4 am till 11 pm and temperature of 25 to 26 degree Celsius is being maintained in the metro trains. This was as per an official of CMRL. The official then threw light on how every coach has two 41Kv a/c units.
