The Transportation Infrastructure business of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), in consortium with Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), has secured a large order to design and build the Automated People Mover (APM) System for Phase 1 of Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai.
The project is being developed by Dubai Aviation City Corporation and implemented through Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects as part of the airport’s ambitious multi-phase expansion programme. Once fully developed, Al Maktoum International Airport is planned to become the world’s largest airport, with an ultimate capacity of 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of freight annually.
Under the turnkey Design-and-Build contract, the MHI-L&T consortium will be responsible for delivering an integrated APM system covering design, construction, supply, testing, commissioning and operational readiness. L&T’s scope includes the design, procurement, delivery and integration of critical infrastructure and systems required for the automated transit network.
These responsibilities include guideways, DC traction substations, power distribution systems, signalling and telecommunications infrastructure, onboard communication systems for APM vehicles, platform screen doors and depot equipment. The project brings together MHI’s established expertise in Automated People Mover systems with L&T’s extensive capabilities in integrated transportation infrastructure and complex engineering projects.
Ramkumar S Executive Vice President & Head – Transportation Infrastructure, L&T, said: “With challenging execution milestones, advanced technologies and multiple system interfaces including guideway, power supply, state-of-the-art telecom, platform screen doors and depot equipment, this project exemplifies the scale and complexity of integrated APM Rail Systems that L&T is uniquely positioned to deliver. With MHI’s proven APM Systems and L&T’s extensive integrated systems experience supported by world-class Engineering Designs Centre, enables us to execute such projects with a strong focus on safety and quality.”
L&T has established a strong position in the delivery of turnkey Design-Build and EPC solutions for railway and metro infrastructure. Its capabilities span design, engineering, procurement, project planning, quality management and execution under a single-point responsibility model. The company is currently involved in integrated rail systems projects across major networks including Mumbai Metro, Dhaka Metro and Jakarta MRT.
The award further strengthens L&T’s presence in the Gulf region, where governments are investing significantly in next-generation mobility, urban transit and sustainable transportation infrastructure. With railway and transit development expected to expand across West Asia, the Al Maktoum International Airport project enhances L&T’s regional credentials and positions the company to pursue emerging opportunities in advanced transportation systems.
