Glitch in signalling delays Metro train

Hyderabad: Many commuters who boarded the Metro train on Tuesday night had a harrowing time, as LB Nagar bound Metro train from Miyapur halted multiple times due to the technical problem in Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) signaling.

Admitting to a technical glitch in CBTC signaling, Managing Director at Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) NVS Reddy said he advised L&T to request Thales, which supplied the CBTC signaling system, to make necessary modifications to the sophisticated system to suit the rugged conditions and pollution levels of India.

In his WhatsApp official group message NVS Reddy stated, "Last night one train in LB Nagar direction developed a signaling problem. Because of very high safety standards in CBTC technology automatic cut off happened and all signals turned red. The train had to run in "Restricted mode" with 25 kmph speed and each red signal had to be manually switched off after ensuring track clearance and safety."

This had a cascading affect on the other trains, as there were many trains running on Miyapur-LB Nagar route, he said in his message. LB Nagar-bound Metro train from Miyapur was halted repeatedly at multiple stations, resulting in delay of over an hour, between 9.00 pm and 10.30 pm.

The Metro train halted at Assembly Metro Station for over 10 min and around 15 min at Moosarambagh Station. Passengers inside the train had no clue of what was wrong and there was an announcement that Metro train would be delayed due to some technical problems on the platforms of the stations.

In cascading effect, the trains elsewhere too got delayed too, and passengers were seen waiting for the Metro trains at all the stations between of LB Nagar and Miyapur.

Past incidents:

1. The first technical problem in the Hyderabad Metro Rail surfaced after a few months of the inauguration of the Metro services. A train at Ameerpet Station faced a technical issue because of which other trains on the route were stopped for some time.
2. Metro services between Moosapet and Miyapur stalled after the catenary wire of the overhead equipment snapped on October 14, 2018, and on November 4, 2018, Metro train was halted due to the some technical issues at Prakash Nagar Station.
3. Metro services on Begumpet-Ameerpet stretch disrupted for 20 min after a banner fell on the overhead electric wires on April 5, 2019, and again train was halted twice on April 20, 2019, due to technical snag as well as due to a banner falling on electric wires.