Kochi: Metro reaches Thykoodam

Kochi: The Kochi Metro authorities on Wednesday successfully conducted trial run till Thykoodam using two rakes filled with sand bags to gauge vital information like data track and signal co-ordination data.

“The aim was to know data regarding track and signaling. We’ll continue the exercise in the coming days. ‘Load test’ in the small bridge section near Elamkulam and the Vytilla bridge will be held in the coming days. The trains were operated at a maximum speed of five kmph,” Metro sources said.

The move comes even as the authorities are working overtime to commission the five km-section in the Third reach by Onam, a goal now increasingly becoming difficult with station construction activities lagging behind.

The Metro train started from Maharaja’s at 6.55 am and reached Thykoodam by 8.21 am. The return trip started at 8.45 am and reached Elamkulam by 9.25 am.

Meanwhile, the second train started from Elamkulam at 11.46 am to reach Thykoodam at 12.40 noon. It returned to reach Maharaja’s station by 1.30 pm.

“The works with regard to traction and signaling is in the final stage. We’ll hold complete track test, rolling stock test, compatibility test, integrated trial run and service trail run at a later stage,” the sources said.

On July 21, the authorities conducted a trial run in the 1.3 km Maharajas college-Ernakulam South section when ‘Load Test’ was held over the Balanced Cantilever bridge near South overbridge.

Currently Metro services are available in the 18-km Aluva-Maharaja’s College section.