DMRC suspends 4 staff after train crashed into wall during test run on new line

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NEW DELHI: Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Wednesday suspended four employees a day after an empty metro train on trial run broke through boundary at Kalindi Kunj depot.

The metro train had crashed into a wall during a test run on the new magenta line.

The incident took place less than a week before Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new metro line from Botanical Garden in Noida to Kalkaji.

Later on Tuesday, the DMRC had issued a statement with regard to the incident, saying the train was moved from the workshop without testing the brake system. 

"A trial train was moved from the workshop without testing the brake system as a result of which, while the train was moving up the ramp for washing, it rolled back and hit the adjacent boundary wall. No person was injured in the incident," said the statement released by DMRC.

The statement also said that a high-level inquiry had been ordered into the incident.

The new metro line is expected to reduce the travel time between Botanical Garden to Kalkaji from 52 minutes to just 19 minutes.

Currently, to travel the distance, commuters need to board from Botanical Garden, go to Mandi House via Blue Line and change to Violet Line to go to Kalkaji. This line is a part of the Magenta Line which will eventually connect Botanical Garden and Janakpuri West.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Metro stretch on December 25 after which it will be open for commercial operations.

Those going towards Faridabad from Noida will benefit the most with the operation of the section, which will almost halve the travel time to many destinations towards that direction because of Kalkaji Mandir being a junction station with Violet Line (Kashmiri Gate-Escorts Mujeser). 

The safety inspection for the 12.64-km section was held from November 13 to 15 after which it was given a go-ahead by the Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS).