Kochi: The Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) has asked the Delhi Metro Rail Ltd (DMRC), the executing agency, to deploy at least 15 senior level personnel having sufficient experience in metro systems ahead of the crucial integrated trials scheduled to begin by December. “We’ve asked the DMRC Headquarters to allot 15 personnel having metro experience to be posted at the General Manager level and other technical posts. We need experts to oversee the integration of various components of the Kochi Metro like operation and signalling system,” a senior official said.
At present, the DMRC has deployed only five personnel at its Kochi office to monitor works in all three zones, with only a single hand having sufficient Metro experience. “There are safety issues involved. The very purpose of engaging DMRC is due to the experience it has in building the Delhi Metro. Hence the request. Already the project suffered delay due to non-availability of sufficient metro experts,” the official said. Earlier, the KMRL had provided four personnel to the DMRC on deputation.
“However, we had to call three of them back to facilitate the trials using coaches,” the official said. Meanwhile, the DMRC has exuded confidence in completing the work in the 13-km Aluva-Palarivattom stretch by December. “The traction and track works in the section has been completed and now signaling works are progressing. We’re confident of completing the works by December and the works are now progressing satisfactorily,” said an official.
