Trial Runs Begin on Ahmedabad Metro’s Phase 2 in Gandhinagar

Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) last week started trial runs (train testing) on a 3.3 km elevated section of the 28.25 km Ahmedabad Metro Phase 2 project between Dholakuva and Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) in Gandhinagar District.

With electrification work still ongoing, GMRC’s team operated a Zephir battery-operated railcar mover to pull one of their Hyundai Rotem trains through a portion of the elevated viaduct built by Ranjit Buildcon (RBL) as part of 6.478 km Package C2 connecting Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) to Gandhinagar’s Sector-1.

GMRC’s primary goal was to check for Schedule of Dimensions (SOD) clearances and observe the train’s interaction with the civil structure to ensure there are no physical obstructions along the way.

VNC – KEC – Emrail JV had started track-work on this section in August 2023. A few months later, Ranjit Buildcon launched this section’s final U-girder in October 2023.

With construction work underway on Package C1, GMRC brought coaches from Gypaspur Depot on trailers, and then used a crane to lift them one-by-one onto the line’s viaduct as seen below.

The start of proper trial runs is still weeks away and depends on when GMRC energizes the line’s Third Rail. After that, they’ll be able to operate the train without a crutch and test their trains’ behavior and various systems like telecommunication, signaling & train control, tracks etc. as those systems get ready.

With the Lok Sabha elections around the corner, I imagine we’ll see the Gujarat Government setting up a formal event to mark the start of trial runs.

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– TMRG