Alstom, a renowned company specializing in intelligent and eco-friendly transportation solutions, achieved a milestone by delivering the inaugural locally produced trainset for the Meerut Metro to the NCRTC. This delivery marks a crucial step in Alstom’s fulfillment of a contract inked in 2020 to provide 210 train cars for the RRTS.
Alstom reaffirms its commitment to fostering a sustainable future by spearheading the development and advancement of eco-friendly transportation solutions. From rapid trains and subways to monorails, trams, and comprehensive systems, Alstom boasts the widest range of offerings in the industry, including services, infrastructure, signaling, and digital mobility solutions.
Operating in 63 countries with a diverse team of over 80,000 individuals representing 175 nationalities, the company channels its expertise in design, innovation, and project management to address the most pressing mobility challenges globally. As a listed entity in France, Alstom reported a revenue of €16.5 billion for the fiscal year ending on 31 March 2023.
The inaugural run of the first trainset took place at Alstom’s manufacturing facility in Savli, Gujarat. The event was graced by Hardeep Singh Puri, Honorable Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs & Petroleum & Natural Gas (via virtual presence), Vinay Kumar Singh, Managing Director – NCRTC, and Oliver Loison, Managing Director of Alstom India.
The Meerut Metro, classified as an urban Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS), will traverse a 25-km route of Line-1, with approximately 14.80 km being elevated and 4.6 km underground, linking Partapur to Modipuram and comprising 11 stations. Three stations along this route will offer connections to India’s inaugural Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), linking Delhi with Meerut.
Alstom will provide 30 coaches configured into 10 trainsets, each consisting of three cars, to operate on this line. These trains, based on Alstom’s Adessia commuter train range, leverage the company’s extensive global expertise. The main objective of this Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) is to serve as a feeder for the RRTS and to function as a metro system for the Meerut area.
Managing Director of NCRTC, Vinay Kumar Singh, emphasized the significance of Namo Bharat trains and Meerut Metro, highlighting their role in realizing the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Gati Shakti National Master Plan. This marks a pioneering move as both services will operate on the same RRTS infrastructure. The modern Meerut Metro trainsets, a product of the Make-in-India initiative, have been meticulously designed and manufactured domestically.
Olivier Loison, the Managing Director of Alstom India, expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the Meerut Metro project. He emphasized the project’s significance in the country’s efforts to modernize both intra and intercity rail travel. Loison also highlighted the company’s excitement in contributing their advanced products to this vision.
Loison pointed out that the project’s connection to the Namo Bharat line will have a substantial and enduring positive effect on both business and leisure travel in the northern region. Alstom’s Hyderabad engineering centre has developed these trains, which are manufactured in Savli, Gujarat. These trainsets are a testament to India’s indigenous manufacturing capabilities, aligning with the government’s Make-in-India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
Upon their arrival at the depot in Meerut, the trains will undergo rigorous testing and validation. Alstom’s commitment to the Meerut Metro Project is evident through its scope of work, which includes designing, building, and delivering 30 transit train cars. Additionally, Alstom will provide signalling, train control, telecommunication systems, platform screen doors, and long-term evolution services for the approximately 17km priority section.
Alstom has also committed to providing comprehensive maintenance services for 15 years. Innovatively designed commuter trains are poised to revolutionize public transport, offering exceptional ergonomics, safety, and comfort. Their low life cycle costs and high recyclability make them a sustainable choice, aiding in the reduction of traffic congestion, air pollution, and fuel consumption.
By connecting suburban areas to economic hubs, these trains not only save travel costs and time but also improve the lives of millions of citizens. Resembling traditional metro trains, the MRTS trains boast a blend of longitudinal and lateral cushioned seating. They come equipped with various passenger-centric amenities such as overhead luggage racks, in-coach screens, wi-fi connectivity, and multiple USB sockets.
Additionally, they feature designated spaces for wheelchairs and stretchers, ensuring accessibility for individuals with disabilities and facilitating emergency medical transfers. These trains comply with international safety standards and are designed to promote a safe and comfortable commuting experience.
The upcoming Meerut Metro is poised to be a pivotal driver in fostering balanced and sustainable economic growth in the area. Its cutting-edge, environmentally friendly design is set to deliver notable efficiencies by integrating energy-saving technologies, such as a modern car body, dependable bogies, an efficient propulsion system, and regenerative braking.
