Kolkata: Metro is exploring all possibilities for the integrated signalling tests, officials said on Sunday.
TOI reported on Friday about Metro Railway's dilemma regarding East-West Metro's implementing agency KMRC's request for a total six-week closure — starting Feb 8 — along the 4.8 km Esplanade-Howrah Maidan and 9.2 km Sealdah-Sector V stretches for signal testing.
Metro officials said on Sunday they were looking for innovative ideas to avoid a long shutdown, and whether commercial services and the trials can happen simultaneously. "We have requested uploading of the revised software on Saturday night and conducting trials for two-three days and nights before reverting to existing software for commercial operations for four-five days a week until the system is in place. After 100% confirmation of safety of the signalling system, it will be sent to the Independent Safety Assessor (ISA). Only after getting the ISA nod, the chief railway safety commissioner shall inspect to give his approval for commercial operations of the entire corridor as a whole," an official said.