Alstom Delivers First Trainset For The Meerut Metro Project

Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has delivered the first indigenously manufactured trainset for Meerut Metro to the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).

It is part of a contract signed by Alstom in 2020 for the delivery of 210 cars for the regional rapid transit system (RRTS).

The first trainset was flagged off (virtually) at a ceremony held at Alstom’s manufacturing facility at Savli in Gujarat, in the presence of Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Vinay Kumar Singh, Managing Director — NCRTC, and Oliver Loison, Managing Director, Alstom India.

The Meerut Metro is an urban mass rapid transit system (MRTS) that will operate across the 25-km stretch of Line-1 (14.80 km elevated and 4.6 km underground), connecting Partapur to Modipuram via 11 stations.

For the convenience of the residents of Meerut, three stations on this line will provide connectivity to India's first RRTS, connecting Delhi and Meerut. Thirty coaches will be supplied by Alstom to serve the line in a configuration of 10 trainsets of three cars each.

The rolling stock is based on Alstom’s Adessia commuter train family, incorporating worldwide experience. The primary purpose of this MRTS is a feeder to RRTS and a metro for the Meerut region.

Singh said: “Namo Bharat trains and Meerut Metro are a testament to our unwavering commitment towards the realisation of the Prime Minister’s Gati Shakti National Master Plan. In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, both these services will run on the same RRTS infrastructure.

"The modern Meerut Metro trainsets have been designed and manufactured indigenously under the Make-in-India initiative. Alstom team has worked hard in ensuring timely delivery of these MRTS trainsets in sync with the preparedness of infrastructure,” he said.

Commenting on the delivery, Loison said, “the Meerut Metro project is a step forward in the country’s ambition to modernise intra and intercity rail travel and we are delighted to be delivering our next generation products towards realising this vision. With its connectivity to the Namo Bharat line, the combined service will drive a long-term positive impact for business and leisure travel in the northern belt.”

Designed at Alstom’s Hyderabad engineering centre these trainsets are manufactured at Savli (Gujarat). They will undergo due testing and validation upon arrival at the depot in Meerut.

Alstom And Meerut Metro Project Commitment

In 2020, Alstom was awarded the contract, and the scope of work includes:

1. Design, build, and deliver the trainsets — 30 transit train cars

2. Design, supply and install the signalling, train control and telecommunication system, platform screen door and long-term evolution which is completed for the 17km priority section for the launch

3. Provide comprehensive maintenance services for 15 years

The outstanding ergonomics, safety and comfort, low life cycle costs and high recyclability also contribute to making these new commuter trains an attractive sustainable choice to promote public transport, thereby reducing traffic congestion, air pollution and fuel consumption.

They help to save travel costs and time as well as to change the lives of millions of citizens by connecting suburban places with the economic centre of the region.

The MRTS Trains

1. Resemble the appearance of conformist metro trains

2. Present a mix of longitudinal and lateral cushioned seating

3. Offer a range of passenger-centric amenities, including overhead luggage racks, miniature screens within the coaches, wi-fi connectivity, and multiple USB sockets near the seats

4. Feature designated wheelchair spaces for individuals with disabilities and stretcher space for emergency medical transfers. Emergency communication capabilities are also integrated into the coaches, designed, and manufactured in alignment with International safety standards.

The Meerut Metro will play a key role in promoting balanced and sustainable economic development of the region. The advanced, eco-friendly design will bring significant efficiencies through the incorporation of energy-saving technologies, including the modern car body, reliable bogies, efficient propulsion system and regenerative braking.

With this unveiling, the delivery of the Meerut Metro trainsets has commenced, and the first trainsets will soon arrive at the NCRTC Depot at Duhai.

1. The Meerut Metro will comprise of three car train sets. It will have ergonomically designed 2x2 transverse as well as longitudinal seating arrangement. More than 700 passengers can travel in a train.

2. State-of-the-art modern light weight, stainless steel coaches.

3. Comfortable standing space, luggage racks, CCTV cameras, mobile charging facility, dynamic route maps, infotainment system, illumination-based auto control ambient lighting system and other amenities.

4. Total adherence to safety by synchronising metro operation with platform screen doors at all stations ensuring better crowd management.

5. Selective door opening via push buttons to reduce energy consumption, and safety measures like emergency egress devices, fire extinguishers, alarms, and talk-back systems are integrated.

6. Provision of space to carry medical stretcher in case of emergencies, space for wheel chair.

The metro corridor spans a length of 23 km with 13 stations including 18 km of elevated and 5 km underground section. Nine stations are elevated, three stations are underground, while one station (depot station) will be at grade.

The stations are Meerut South (elevated), Partapur (elevated), Rithani (elevated), Shatabdi Nagar (elevated), Brahampuri (elevated), Meerut Central (underground), Bhaisali (underground), Begumpul (underground), MES Colony (elevated), Daurli (elevated), Meerut North (elevated), Modipuram (elevated), and Modipuram Depot (at grade).

Four metro stations will also provide RRTS services where commuters will be able to change their trains for RRTS or metro services. These stations will be Meerut South, Shatabdi Nagar, Begumpul and Modipuram.

Construction of the Meerut Metro is progressing rapidly, and all stations are taking shape. Underground tunnel construction has been completed and finishing works are being done at all the underground stations.

Track laying activities are currently in progress on already completed tunnels and viaducts. Out of the 18 km long elevated section, viaduct construction has been completed in about 12 km. More than 10 launching gantries (Tarini) are installed to expedite viaduct construction in the rest of the section.