Pocket track being constructed at Begumpet

HMR MD NVS Reddy inspected the construction of a ‘pocket track’ for Metro Rail corridor-III in front of HPS, Begumpet on Wednesday. Pocket track is like a loop line laid as a third track in between two main Metro tracks to accommodate an extra train.

To facilitate the pocket track, the elevated viaduct in front of HPS has been widened to 40 feet as against 29 feet for rest of the viaduct. Unlike the normal piers, the ones in front of HPS are called ‘hammerhead piers’ because of their shape. Two segments (instead of the normal one segment elsewhere) are accommodated side by side on these piers and the two segments are stitched together on top to get the additional width for the viaduct.

The pocket track is about 200 ft long which can accommodate one full length 6 coach train or two 3 coach trains with crossovers on both ends, so that the train that is kept on the pocket track can be taken to any of the two main tracks and run in any direction towards Nagole or Shilparamam. This space can also be used for stabling any train that develops a technical snag, without disrupting the main service in both the directions. A problematic train can be parked on the pocket track and later taken to Uppal depot during off-peak hours for repairs.

“Of the three Metro corridors, corridor-II (JBS-Falaknuma) is not being provided with a pocket track since it is a shorter line of 15 km. While pocket track is being constructed for corridor-III (Nagole to Shilparamam – 28 km) at Begumpet, for corridor-I (Miyapur to LB Nagar – 29 km), it is being constructed between Punjagutta and Irrum Manzil,” said NVS Reddy.