Frequent snags on Blue line throw DMRC off rails
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has completely been taken off guard by the frequent ‘technical snags’ occurring, particularly in its Blue line (Dwarka-Noida/Vaishali line). While just over a week ago, services were affected due to a foreign object getting entangled with the OHE, commuters, once again, faced a harrowing time on Tuesday when an OHE booster transformer located between Moti Nagar and Ramesh Nagar Metro stations malfunctioned affecting Metro services. According to the DMRC, the now incessant snags are occurring because this stretch is the longest elevated line in its entire network making it prone to various weather phenomena.
On Tuesday, Metro services on the Dwarka Sector 21-Noida City Centre/Vaishali line were affected during peak hours this morning following a problem in the Overhead Electrification, leaving passengers stranded and giving commuters a difficult time. The glitch occurred on the line 3/4 Metro route between Dwarka Sector 21 and Noida City Centre/Vaishali. Services were affected at 10.20 am. Between Kirti Nagar and Subhash Nagar stations and resumed only post 12 noon after repairs were carried out.
“line 3 is the longest elevated corridor which covers one third of our entire network. Most of the snags occur in this line mostly because it is open to various weather activities,” said Sharat Sharma, Director (Projects), DMRC.
The official said the Blue line has always been the victim as it runs through some of the most congested areas of the Capital. “You must have noticed that maximum cases of snags occur in West Delhi area. It is because the region is extremely congested because of which various objects get stuck on the Overhead Electrification (OHE) wire even if there is a minor storm,” he added.
The DMRC keeps all such recovered objects for investigation at its Shastri Park station office. last year, the snags faced in the Delhi Metro were mostly because of the failure of insulators in its lines. But this year’s snags have taken the DMRC by surprise as they are hardly left with any solution.