(Pics) Jaipur Metro’s Phase 1B Inaugurated to Badi Chaupar

Moments ago, Rajasthan’s Chief Minister virtually inaugurated commercial operations on the new 2.35 km Phase 1B underground extension of Jaipur Metro’s 9.63 km Pink Line (Line-1) between Chandpole and Badi Chaupar stations.

This extension, with a project cost of Rs. 1126 crore, was financed through a $157 million (Rs 969 crore) loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). It runs through the historic heritage core of the city and consists of 2 new stations at Chhoti Chaupar and Badi Chaupur, near the famous Hawa Mahal, making the entire line 11.98 km long with 11 stations (3 underground and 8 elevated).

Its civil construction contract was awarded to CEC – CICI JV in September 2013 who used two refurbished Ø6.52m Robbins Earth Pressure Balance Tunnel Boring Machines, previously deployed for Delhi Metro’s Phase 2 project, to excavate and build 1.4 km twin tunnels from Chandpole Station’s east shaft to Badi Chaupar Station between September 2015 and July 2017.

As shared a long time ago, geology for the contractor was not a concern as this stretch comprised of silty sand and minor amount of gravel & clay. The TBMs took a long time to build tunnels due to the presence of weak heritage buildings (such as the 300 year old Chandpol Gate) strewn throughout its influence zone, uncharted utilities, and painful relocation of 13 temples on sites earmarked for the Chhoti Chaupar and Badi Chaupar Stations. As such, the TBMs sat idle at different places along their journey, including inside the TBM retrieval shaft for about a year waiting for excavation work to commence and be completed.

The first round of manual testing (trial runs) began in November 2019 and signalling tests by Alstom’s engineers began shortly after in mid-December. The Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) from the Indian Railways’ Western Circle conducted a 2 day inspection of the line between March 17-18 and approved it for operations shortly after with a list of 65 conditions the Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation (JMRC) had to follow or rectify.

Phase 1B’s Route Map: Chandpole – Badi Chaupar – view Jaipur Metro info & route map
BEML train lined up at the launch event
Crude sectional view of the 4-level Chhoti Chaupar Station displayed on the video conference call

Here are some images of Badi Chaupar Station shot yesterday. I really like the pretty floral jali work and background lighting they’ve incorporated in its interior design:

Photo Copyright: Bunty Nankani
Photo Copyright: Vishal Bhatnagar
Photo Copyright: Vishal Bhatnagar
Photo Copyright: Vishal Bhatnagar
Photo Copyright: Vishal Bhatnagar
Photo Copyright: Vishal Bhatnagar
Photo Copyright: Vishal Bhatnagar
Photo Copyright: Vishal Bhatnagar
Photo Copyright: Vishal Bhatnagar
Photo Copyright: Vishal Bhatnagar
Photo Copyright: Vishal Bhatnagar

Commercial operations on Jaipur’s Pink Line will resume at 4 pm today after being suspended for over 5 months due to the COVID-19 related lockdown. JMRC plans to operate 178 trains services per day with 18-25 minute headways between 6:20 and 7 am, and then 10 minute headways after 7 am. A ride from Chandpole to Badi Chaupar will cost Rs. 6 while end-to-end rides between Mansaravor to Chandpole will cost Rs. 22.

For more updates, check out the Jaipur section of The Metro Rail Guy!

– TMRG

written by

Global traveler who prefers mass rapid transit

8 Responses to "(Pics) Jaipur Metro’s Phase 1B Inaugurated to Badi Chaupar"

  1. Ujan says:

    When will Navi Mumbai Metro be inaugurated
    Also when will Kolkata Metrostart commercial operations upto Phoolbagan Station on Line 2 and when is the inauguration of the Dakshineshwar extension of Line 1

    Reply
    • TMRG says:

      Navi Mumbai – Not before 2022 at this time. Things are moving along on the systems and civil side, but awfully slowly. The Maharashtra government across party lines hasn’t shown any intent to speed up things.

      Kolkata’s Phoolbagan Station will open whenever KMRC wants. The CMRS certificate expired, but so did theirs for Jaipur, but I believe JMRC got an extension. Hopefully KMRC applied for it as well.

      Dakshineshwar – They were aiming for Durga Puja time in October, but testing hasn’t started yet. Track installation & station finishing works are underway right now.

      Reply
  2. Clevin Gomes says:

    Well the Phase 1B has been inaugurate successfully. Now it’s time for Phase 2.
    TMRG, what’s the Updates on about Phase 2, the Orange Line?

    Reply
    • TMRG says:

      DPR has been revised multiple times. DMRC & JMRC are trying to bring cost down and might eliminate underground section wherever possible. On the video call for 1B’s inauguration, RJ’s CM mentioned it’s going to be a metrolite line. Let’s see…

      Reply
  3. Mohit laxkar says:

    When will Jaipur Metro Phase II work starts

    Reply
    • TMRG says:

      Not before 2023 at this time. Project first needs to get approved. That’ll be followed by pre-construction tendering for consultants (GC, DDC), Geotechnical investigation etc.

      Reply
  4. Jaideep jat says:

    Agra metro update

    Reply
  5. shalini says:

    What will be revrse effects of metro on jaipur in case of developments?

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply to TMRG Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *