In a momentous stride towards bolstering Delhi’s metro connectivity, Alstom has ceremoniously kickstarted the production of state-of-the-art Metropolis trainsets for the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) Phase IV.
The ambitious order, clinched in November 2022, encompasses the creation of 52 six-car train sets. These locomotives are strategically designed to traverse three pivotal lines, with extensions to the existing Line 7 and Line 8, and the advent of the all-new Gold Line 10, linking Aerocity to Tughlakabad, spanning an impressive 64.67 km.
At a commemorative ceremony graced by luminaries from both Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and Alstom India, the commencement of production was hailed as a moment of pride and significance. Olivier Loison, Managing Director, Alstom India, expressed the company’s enduring association with the Delhi Metro, stating, “We have a longstanding association with the Delhi Metro, and it is a matter of pride for us to join India’s largest metro network in its continued growth and expansion.”
Dr Vikas Kumar, Managing Director, DMRC, emphasised the pivotal role of the Delhi metro in the city’s lifeblood, anticipating that the new routes will significantly enhance connectivity. “We are sure that the new age trains will ensure a smooth and comfortable ride for the passengers,” he remarked.
The project, valued at a staggering € 312 million, not only encompasses the manufacturing of the trains but also includes a groundbreaking maintenance agreement. Alstom will maintain 13 train sets of the new line for an impressive 15-year period, marking a paradigm shift as it becomes the first maintenance project for Delhi Metro outsourced to an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). This comprehensive 360-degree approach is poised to redefine India’s metro segment.
Olivier Loison, reflecting on this milestone, stated, “Our Metropolis metros have a noteworthy track record, low lifecycle cost, and keen focus on passenger experience, and we are honoured to be building these modern trains for the commuters in Delhi NCR, further promoting the transition towards sustainable mass mobility solutions.”
The Line 8 extension, stretching from Janakpuri West to RK Ashram, and the Line 7 extension connecting Maujpur to Mukundpur on the Pink Line, promise to elevate DMRC connectivity to new heights. Additionally, Alstom has clinched the contract for supplying and commissioning the train-control and signalling solution for Delhi MRTS Phase-IV Mukundpur – Maujpur (Line 7 ext.) and Aerocity – Tughlakabad Corridor (Line 10), equipped with Alstom’s scalable Communications-Based Train Control solutions (CBTC) operating in tandem with its Automatic Train Supervision (ATS) system.