Trial Runs Begin on Chennai Metro’s Wimco Nagar Extension

Right after running a diesel-powered locomotive yesterday, Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. (CMRL) today morning officially started trial runs (testing) using one of their 4-coach Alstom trains on the 9.051 km Chennai Metro Phase 1 Extension project which will connect Washermenpet to Wimco Nagar through 8 new stations.

Engineers primarily observed the train’s interaction with the civil structure to ensure there are no physical obstructions along the way. In the coming weeks various subsystems along with the train’s response to being operated at different speeds & braking, and the behavior of the track system and overhead electrification (OHE) will be monitored.

This northern extension of the 23.10 km Blue Line (Chennai Airport – Washermanpet) was built by Afcons Infrastructure (tunnels), IL&FS (underground stations), NCC and Simplex (elevated viaduct & stations), with Siemens providing both the power supply (electrification) and signaling solutions.

The 8 new stations en route are located at Sir Theagaraya College, Tondiarpet (formerly Korrukupet), New Washermenpet (formerly Tondiarpet), Thangal (formerly Tollgate), Kaladipet (formerly Thangal), Thiruvottiyur Theradi (formerly Gowri Ashram), Thiruvottiyur and Wimco Nagar:

Phase 1 extension project (Washermenpet – Wimco Nagar) with old station names– View Chennai Metro Phase 1 Extension info & map
Photo Copyright: CMRL
Photo Copyright: Times of India
Photo Copyright: B. Jothi Ramalingam (News Sheep)
One of the elevated stations – Photo Copyright: CMRL via Sangeetha Kandavel

A couple videos can be viewed here and here.

CMRL’s press release yesterday indicated they’re aiming for a January-end 2021 opening, but that won’t be possible due to the quantum of work and time required for finishing station architectural works (with train testing in parallel) and obtaining statutory approvals.

However, with the 2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections fast approaching in May, there seems to be a sudden rush to open the line before the Model Code of Conduct kicks in.

The line could possibly open in Q1 itself, instead of mid-2021 as I earlier indicated, but not all station works will be completed. Perhaps some stations might even be skipped during commercial train operations, just like what happened in Nagpur and Ahmedabad where the lines were hurriedly inaugurated in March 2019 in the run up to the May 2019 Lok Sabha Elections. We’ll have to wait and see how this plays out.

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

– TMRG

written by

Global traveler who prefers mass rapid transit

20 Responses to "Trial Runs Begin on Chennai Metro’s Wimco Nagar Extension"

  1. Anonymous says:

    Hey TMRG,
    The second para says third rail, but there is no third rail its OHE, please update that.

    Reply
  2. Akhil S says:

    First time U-girder used in Chennai?

    Reply
  3. Prakash says:

    Why is Chennai opting for 3 car trains in Phase 2? And not 4 car trains?

    Reply
    • TMRG says:

      With advanced signaling these days, 3-coach trains can provide a similar or higher system throughput by safely allowing high frequency operations.

      CMRL’s decision must be based on that + Phase 1 lines’ ridership experience (which will go up) + cost considerations (procurement and operations/maintenance)

      Reply
  4. BK says:

    Thiruvottiyur is my locality 😀

    Reply
  5. Srinivasan Sundaram says:

    New Washermanpet ( formerly tondiarpet * ) .

    Reply
  6. Clevin Gomes says:

    If you make this post a bit early, then I can upload this news in my video of my YouTube Channel. Anyways, I m glad that finally Wimco Nagar Extension Trial Begins.

    Reply
  7. Sreejith Sreekumaran says:

    January is a nice joke by CMRL 🤪

    Reply
  8. Himanshu Doria says:

    Don’t know what kind of unrealistic deadline that CMRL is chasing. From the pics, it looks atleast six month long civil work is pending here. CMRS would definately not going to grant sanction for this route, with the shape it is now currently.

    Reply
    • Ethiraj says:

      Pongal is auspicious day for TN.
      High density traffic will increase ridership and reduce travel time pollution and wastage of time in travel.
      2lakh per day must be the target for metro rail.

      Reply
  9. Avalam mutu says:

    CMRL METRO RAIL going for Corridor 5 phase 2 Madavaram to CMBT on 100 Feet Road 7thh Avenue.. Anna Nagar Thirumangapam Junction..from Anna Nagar West Bus Depot , Anbu flats, Ajantha Flats,Bharathi flats, saptagiru Flats, Navjivan flats, APOLLO FLATS, SINDHU APrts, Millennium Flats,l Mangalqm Colony are going to Lose considerable Area to CMRL…According to Realty consultants Anyone planning to get approval from COC, CMDA for Redevelopment New construction of flats Or sell their Existing Flats Cannot do so without NOC from CMRL encumbrance and in for deep trouble as None knows whether it’s elevated plan or underground..Anyone planning to invest or dispose are in Quandry..Greed is not favoured …wait wait wait till May 2021 election plus one year till 2022

    Reply
  10. Kumaran says:

    Hi TMRG,

    I heard only few stations will open and remaining will open after some time. NCC and simplex infra is concentrating only few station for opening jan end 2021? Do you know which are all station expect to open?

    Reply
  11. Nishant says:

    I constructed gowri ashram and tiruvottiyur station in past two years ..so happy to see its a great success. My first metro project

    Reply
  12. Ethiraj says:

    Saturday Sunday and public holidays issue trip card of rs 50 ADHAR linked to give a feel of metro rail travel.
    This will improve occupancy and reduce pollution level in state.
    On trial.basis for monthnifbjan 2021

    Reply

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