Inauguration of Bangalore’s metro in India

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On October 20th, the first line of the Bangalore metro, also called ‘Namma metro’, was inaugurated by S.K Nath Union Minister for Urban Development, and S. Gowd, Chief Minister of Karnataka Government.

Awarded in 2009 to Alstom and its consortium partners by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL), the project covered design, manufacturing, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of modern signalling train control and telecommunication systems for two corridor lines (42 km, 40 stations).

It also included the supply of 2 depots, one Operation Control Centre (OCC) and one Back up Operation Control Centre (BCC).

The contract represented a total amount of € 114 million, Alstom’s share representing around €76 million.

Alstom provided the design, manufacturing, supply, installing, testing and commissioning of the train control and signalling systems.

Bangalore Metro has been equipped with Alstom’s Automatic Train Control System ‘Urbalis’.

A global urban network management solution, Urbalis automatically controls train movements, optimizing traffic flows and intervals between trains, guaranteeing passenger safety and improving the commercial efficiency of the line.

It ensures optimal safety, flexible operations and heightened passenger comfort. This fully proven solution has been successfully deployed in many cities in the world.

In India, Alstom has supplied the same solution to New Delhi metro line 1 and 2 and their extensions.

Known as the Silicon Valley of India because of the presence of large number of information technology companies, Bangalore’s rapid growth has created several problems relating to traffic congestion and infrastructural obsolescence.

Namma metro will help solve the commuting challenges faced by the residents of Bangalore as the metro rail network will work in tandem with other existing transport systems.

Weaving through the bustling commercial and residential areas of the city, Bangalore metro consists of two corridors of double electrified lines, covering a total of 42.30 km.

The first line corresponds to an East-West corridor of 18.10 km long, starting from Baiyappanahalli and terminating at Mysore Road terminal.

The portion inaugurated goes from M.G Road station, in the city centre, to Baiyappanahalli station in the eastern suburb.

It covers 6.7 km on elevated tracks and represents four stations. The inauguration took place at Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Ground, in Bangalore.

The Bangalore Metro has been designed for a capacity of 40,000 passengers per hour and per direction. The number of passengers expected to travel on the metro network everyday is estimated at 1 million, and could reach 1,6 million in 2021.

Commenting on the occasion, Jojo Alexander, Managing Director, Alstom Transport, India, said:

“Alstom is committed to develop India’s urban transport infrastructure as the country embarks on its rail expansion initiatives.

“This milestone is a clear illustration of Alstom’s highly competitive and dedicated engineering team in Bangalore, capable of executing global projects for urban & mainline signalling.

“It also showcases close co-operation between Bangalore team and other Alstom units : Coimbatore in India, Saint-Ouen and Villeurbanne in France, Bologna in Italy.

“We thank BMRCL (Bangalore Metro Railway Corporation Limited) for the opportunity to partner with them in this prestigious project. Our investment in Bangalore for signalling technologies is a testimony of our renewed commitment in India, a market on which Alstom has been present for a century.

“The fact that the Bangalore metro inauguration coincides with Alstom India’s centennial year celebrations is in itself a matter of great pride for us.”

BMRCL Spokesperson BLY Chavan, said:

“As the backbone of the city’s public transport, the Namma Metro aims to solve the traffic challenges by reducing the travel time, providing easier mobility at an affordable price for the residents of Bangalore.

“We are delighted to have been able to work with Alstom and its consortium partners to enable the introduction of Namma Metro which will significantly improve the travel experience for passengers in Bangalore.”

By the end of 2012, train passenger numbers in India are expected to increase to 8.4 billion per annum.

Indian Railways’ current five-year plan foresees investments of approximately €39 billion until 2012.

Today, forty-five Indian cities are above 1 million inhabitants and more than 10 urban projects are in progress or planned in Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Jaipur and Kolkata.

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