For faster repair work,Airport Metro to try out alternative methods

The authorities decided to carry out trials of the alternative fastening systems because the imported equipment,originally planned for installation to fix the damages to rail fastening clips in the underground section of the corridor,were held up at Customs.

“It was planned that the existing fastening system and the Tata Corus equipment will be analysed. But the equipment are held up at the Customs. Hence,installation could not progress. To save time and avoid further delays,it was suggested that two alternative fastening systems in accordance with suggestions from the Reliance-backed operator,Delhi Airport Metro Express Private Ltd (DAMEPL),should be installed,” an official said.

The concessionaire had appointed Hong Kong Technical University for collection of data and analyse the damages to the fastening clips.

“The process would have taken around 17 days. Getting the equipment from the Customs would push the deadline further. So,it was suggested that an alternative should be explored,” the official said.

The underground section of the 22.7-km corridor had a RHEDA track system with German fastening clips provided by Vossloh.

“The trials include four fastening systems… the existing one,the current system augmented by Tata Corus products and two alternative systems. Only the best one will get the green signal,” the official said.

Trains on the high-speed Airport Metro line are supposed to run at speeds of around 120 kmph. “But the trains cannot go beyond 80 kmph until the fastening system is fully rectified,” the official said.

Before the corridor was shut for repairs on July 8,the trains moved at a snail’s pace of 15-25 kmph.

A DAMEPL spokesperson said an alternative plan has indeed been suggested,but a final decision was pending.