The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC), the erstwhile Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation (LMRC), was constituted to implement, operate and maintain metro rail systems in various cities of Uttar Pradesh. UPMRC’s Lucknow metro rail project has been the fastest metro rail project in the country in terms of implementation. The corporation was able to begin revenue operations on the priority corridor of the project within a time frame of three years. Commercial operations on the entire 22.9 km North-South corridor commenced in March 2019.
Apart from the Lucknow metro rail project, UPMRC is also implementing metro rail projects in Agra and Kanpur. The corporation plans to commission the 9 km priority section of the Kanpur metro by November 2021, while the balance stretch is expected to be commissioned by March 2024. As for the Agra metro rail project, the timelines are fairly similar. Both projects are currently under tendering. UPMRC is also planning to take up Phase IB of the Lucknow metro rail project and the Gorakhpur metrolite project. Presently, the revised detailed project report (DPR) for Phase IB of the Lucknow metro is awaiting state government approval. Meanwhile, DPRs have also been prepared for the Varanasi mass rapid transit system (MRTS) and the Allahabad MRTS projects.
Several firsts
The Lucknow metro project was the first metro project to be commissioned ahead of the target date. The project witnessed the delivery of the first metro train within a period of 63 weeks, testing and commissioning of the signalling system within four months, and completion of substation work within nine months. Further, trial runs on the project were completed in just 21 days. Besides, it is the first metro project in the country to have unique features such as an auto drop facility in the pantograph rooftop CCTV cameras for continuous monitoring of overhead cables, and availability of a laser video wall.
It is one of the first metro rail projects in the country to offer free Wi-Fi facilities (linked with a GoSmart card) and FM radio at all its metro stations. The project has also displayed noteworthy progress with regard to energy conservation initiatives. It is the first metro project in India to achieve 100 per cent LED lighting at stations and inside trains. Besides, all metro stations under the Lucknow metro have been accorded “Platinum” rating by the Indian Green Building Council. Other sustainability initiatives by the corporation include the use of regenerative braking system, deployment of water management systems and use of renewable sources of energy. In this regard, UPMRC has won the “Best Metro Award” from the government for its energy conservation initiatives. Besides, it has also won the International British Safety Council and ROSPA Gold 2019 Award for adherence to high-level safety norms during project execution.
The corporation has also focused on basic aesthetics by ensuring that the design of the stations and trains is as per the city’s culture, heritage and craftsmanship. The Lucknow metro is also one of the first metro projects in the country to have seamless integration with other modes of transport. Apart from fares, the metro system has also been raising funds from non-fare revenue sources such as advertising on metro pillars, inside metro stations and on trains and leasing of property development rights.
A number of initiatives were taken by UPMRC to facilitate timely implementation of the project. These entailed the use of pile foundations, and issuance of common tenders for rolling stock and signalling to minimise interface issues. Besides, use of precast structures, casting of U-girder and tunnel segments in casting yards and water-less chemical curing of concrete structures helped the corporation in conservation of time and resources.
Next steps
All metro rail projects in the country face numerous implementation challenges, with timely project completion being the biggest challenge. Another issue faced by metro rail projects is ensuring proper coordination between the implementing agency and the contractor. UPMRC has been able to mitigate this challenge by fixing major design parameters prior to issuing the tender documents.
Timely system selection through simulations, availability of in-house expertise, vendor selection, conflict resolution and statutory approvals also pose serious challenges for timely project implementation. As far as new metro projects are concerned, the availability of trained manpower is a key challenge. LMRC has set up its own training schools to meet its requirements. Restrictions on original equipment manufacturers, high cost of annual maintenance contracts, high electricity cost, replacement of obsolete equipment, and taxation are other key challenges new metro projects are facing. These implementation issues need to be addressed in time. There is also a need for proper operations and maintenance systems in all metro projects.
Based on a presentation by Sushil Kumar, Director, Operations, UPMRC, at a recent India Infrastructure conference