Kanpur Metro: Trial Run from Moti Jheel to Kanpur Central Set to Begin Soon.

Kanpur Metro is in the final stages of preparation for its commercial operation from IIT to Kanpur Central station. A trial run is set to begin this month on the extended route up to Kanpur Central, marking a key step toward launching service along this corridor.

Currently, Kanpur Metro operates on the Priority Corridor between IIT and Moti Jheel, covering a nine kilometer distance. The new extension will connect Moti Jheel to Kanpur Central station, passing through significant business areas like Naveen Market, Bada Chauraha, and Nayaganj. This stretch will include five underground stations: Chunniganj, Naveen Market, Bada Chauraha, Nayaganj, and Kanpur Central.

Service from IIT to Moti Jheel will continue at 5-6 minute intervals, while the new underground route will run every 10-12 minutes. The Metro expansion aims to significantly improve public transportation in Kanpur, reducing the current road travel time from IIT to Moti Jheel—typically 60 to 75 minutes—to just 30 minutes by Metro.

The construction of the 'up-line' track from Moti Jheel to Kanpur Central is complete, with finishing touches underway, including track installation, third rail systems, signaling, and other infrastructure. A successful test run on both tracks from Moti Jheel to Nayaganj recently confirmed the functioning of key systems like signaling and power supply in Automatic Train Protection (ATP) mode.

UPMRC Managing Director Sushil Kumar praised the project's progress, acknowledging the Metro team’s efficiency and the close cooperation among various departments. "Our underground route passes under the busiest city areas, ensuring smoother travel. We are confident the remaining work on Corridor-1 will be completed as planned," he said, confirming that the trial run up to Kanpur Central will start this month.

ET