Kochi Metro begins service trials [Video]

The Kochi Metro started its service trials on Wednesday, two days after receiving the nod from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS).

The trials began at 6.30 am from Aluva and will continue till 9 pm. Four trains with four coaches are undergoing the service trials currently. There are 142 listed service trials for the day. The trials will include all procedures, such as signalling, digital status display at the stations, announcements for passengers and safety parameters. 

The Kochi Metro train service will commence from next month, and will span 13 kilometres from Aluva to Palarivattom in the first phase. Authorities are now waiting for the exact date from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to officially open the service.

Here's an image of one the trains taking a trial run at Edappally.#KMRL #KochiMetroRail #TrialRun #Edappally pic.twitter.com/Fa3Bpydme3

— Kochi Metro Rail (@MetroRailKochi) 10 May 2017

KMRL Managing Director Elias George has expressed his happiness in the way things have progressed. "CMRS has said that our stations are the best in India," he said, adding the first phase of the Kochi Metro is the fastest to get safety clearance, compared to other metro projects in India.

George pointed out that normally only a 6-7 km stretch is inaugurated in the first phase. However, as far as the Kochi Metro project was concerned, the 13 km stretch was being inaugurated in the initial phase itself.

"It is so overwhelming to share with you that the Kochi Metro is also the first metro in India to cover a longest distance of 13 km in its first phase," George said.

(with PTI inputs)

• Kochi Metro