Nagpur: Even though MahaMetro is yet to complete major works, officials are confident of meeting the February 26 target and that Nagpur Metro’s trial run will be done from Khapri station to Zero Mile station instead of Sitabuldi station.“With the pace of work, we have decided to extend the trial run by 500m from earlier plan to run the Metro up to 13km stretch till Sitabuldi station,” said Mahesh Kumar, MahaMetro’s director (project).During a media visit to Sitabuldi station near Munje Chowk, a junction which would be change over for Reach One-Two (North-South corridor) and Reach Three-Four (East-West corridor) on Tuesday, Kumar claimed that the laying of tracks of Reach One from Khapri Station to Zero Mile will be completed by February 22.The trial run will begin from Khapri to Ajni, to Congress Nagar and finally to Sitabuldi. Once cleared, the Metro will start its operations from Khapri to Zero Mile covering the 13.5km distance. “So a series of oscillation trial runs will begin on Wednesday under the supervision of a team of Research Design Standards Organisation (RDSO). The first trial run will commence between Khapri station and Neeri station,” Kumar said and added that once the trials are clear and receive a go ahead from all the concerned departments, the Metro will start serving the citizens probably by month end.Covering 2.5 lakh square feet, the Sitabuldi station would have four entries and exits from different nearby locations — Munje Chowk, Netaji Market, land adjoining Fortune Mall and near Yeshwant Stadium. Of these entries, one entry of the under construction station from Tulsi School side would be made operational by February 26, he said.About the facilities for commuters, Kumar said this entrance will have steps, a lift and an escalator. To a query, Kumar admitted at least five to six months more would be required to complete the Sitabuldi metro station.The Sitabuldi station will be five storeys station, he said. Of these floors, two would be dedicated for two metro corridors. First floor of the station will have commercial outlets while the fifth and the roof top with crown atop will have restaurants. He said the construction of remaining three floors will be a challenging task as it will be carrying out while the Metro will be running beneath it.The works of laying tracks and overhead electric lines are in full swing at Sitabuldi station.According to Kumar, “Completing the work at Sitabuldi station was the biggest challenge before us due to heavy vehicular traffic movement. Bringing in raw materials, moving heavy machinery and carrying out the work was really a big challenge. With approximately 350 workforce at the station, we have finished most work and even the launch of girder of Reach One corridor over Gowari flyover at Variety Square will be completed by February 28, even though we have sought permission for 15 days.”Citing an example, he claimed that MahaMetro has laid 6,500m track in January alone. For Reach One’s 26,000m track and Reach Three’s 12,000m, the concrete track works of admeasuring 24,000m and 9,000m have been completed, he said, adding the remaining work of 2,000m and 3,000m will be finished by a week’s time.

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