A driverless Delhi Metro train being tested on a new Magenta Line crashed through a wall on tuesday, just days before its launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Christmas. No one was hurt in the crash, which allegedly took place because the trains brakes were disengaged. The Delhi
Metro has blamed it on human error and negligence and has ordered a high-level inquiry. The person who took charge of the train from the maintenance staff also did not check brake and proceeded with the train up to the washing plant built on a ramp. While stopping at the ramp, since the brakes were not available, the train rolled back causing this incident, DMRC was quoted
saying. According to the norms, when a train enters a workshop or depot, its brakes are decommissioned, to ensure thorough and detailed check, reported PTI.
The managing director of the DMRC, Dr Mangu Singh reiterated the point and said the "main line operations on this [Magenta] line are absolutely safe, with a high level of automation and has (sic) been thoroughly checked and cleared by the commissioner of metro rail safety for passenger
operations. The Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government, which has a running a feud with the Delhi Metro over ticket prices, has sought a report from the transport authority. "I have sought a
report from DMRC on the derailment of its driverless train during trial run on Kalkaji-Botanical Garden. Shocking lapse! There can be no compromise on passenger safety, Delhi
transport minister Kailash Gehlot tweeted soon after the accident was reported.
The Magenta Line is one of the under-construction lines of the Delhi Metro, a rapid transitsystem in Delhi, India. It consists of 25 metro stations from Janakpuri West to Botanical Garden. The Magenta Line will provide direct connectivity to Terminal 1D of Indira Gandhi International Airport. The upcoming Hauz Khas station on this line and the current Yellow Line will be the deepest Metro station at a depth of 29 metres, surpassing the record set by Chawri Bazaar station currently on the Yellow Line, at a depth of 22 metres.
