DMRC junks copper, switches to aluminium for controlling theft

Metro body decides to replace 33-kilovolt cables across 175 kms of its entire route length

- IFRAH MUFTI @New Delhi

FACING repeated disruptions caused by cable thefts, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has announced a major overhaul of its power infrastructure. The corporation will replace 33-kilovolt copper cables with aluminium wiring across 175 kilometres of its network in a bid to make the system less vulnerable to theft and improve service reliability.

The project, estimated at %32.59 crore, will be carried out over the next 18 months. According to officials, the existing copper cables will be removed and aluminium cables will be installed in a trefoil formation along metro viaducts. The move comes after a sharp rise in thefts targeting copper wiring, which has significant resale value in scrap markets.