[Pics] Hyderabad’s Metro during a trial run

Here are some recently taken snaps of a metro trial underway at Hyderabad metro’s line 3. Trials by Larsen & Toubro began in August 2014 and are currently underway on a small section from Nagole to Mettuguda. The section between Nagole and Secunderabad (11 km) is being targeted to be operational by December 2015. The line will eventually run up to Shilparamam on the west end of Hyderabad by August 2016.

Hyderabad Metro at Tarnaka crossing – photo: Kranthi Kumar, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)

Hyderabad Metro – photo: Kranthi Kumar, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)

Hyderabad Metro – photo: Kranthi Kumar, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)

Hyderabad Metro – photo: Kranthi Kumar, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)

Hyderabad Metro – photo: Kranthi Kumar, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)

The metro trains seen above have been supplied by Hyundai Rotem from their factory in Changwon, South Korea. In total, 57 trains will be delivered in phases at least 9 months before the commencement of operations of each stage. The trains are 3.2 meters wide and run on standard gauge tracks.

What’s significant to note is that on Dec 31 2014, L&T successfully conducted a trial run in the  Automatic Train Operation (ATO) mode for the first time between Nagole and Mettuguda. In this mode, the train operates on its own and self controls its movement, speed, performance etc., with automatic application of brakes without intervention of the train driver. The function of the driver is only to press a button to close the doors at stations and it is a prelude to completely driverless mode which Hyderabad Metro can upgrade any time it wants.

– TMRG