Like tunnel boring, CMRL (Chennai Metro Rail Limited) has now offered the much-needed fillip to mobility inside the 32 metro stations. Prototype of the lifts to be used in CMRL project was installed at Johnson’s Test Tower in Poonamallee. Officials of CMRL and general consultant (GC) tested the prototype last month.
CMRL managing director among other senior CMRL officers and GC visited Johnson’s factory to observe the testing of the installed lifts. Likewise, prototype of the escalator was tested at M/s. SJEC, Suzhou, in October. The lifts will be manufactured at M/s. JLPL facility at Poonamallee, whereas the escalators will be manufactured at Suzhou in China and then shipped to Chennai.
Around 300 escalators and 125 lifts will be put to use in all 32 stations of Phase 1 of CMRL covering 45 km.
The lifts designed for CMRL will be a real benchmark for other transport modes in the city as they will be disabled-friendly. A major feature of the lifts will be Braille facility within the lift besides signs printed in Braille in the lifts to indicate floors as well as visual/audible announcements.
The lifts will also have grip rails on three walls inside the elevator car and the elevator control buttons will be positioned at convenient heights.
The lifts will be at street level in convenient locations with required space and wide doors.
The design in general will be in accordance with “Guidelines and Space Standards for Barrier Free Built Environment for Disabled and Elderly Persons”, central public works department, ministry of urban affairs & employment, 1998.