The urban transport sector has made significant progress over the past year. The urban rail network has increased remarkably. Over 750 km of metro network is currently operational. This is expected to rise over 900 km by 2022. There has been a growing focus on the use of green energy to reduce dependence on conventional energy sources. The year 2021-22 also saw notable developments such as the introduction of driverless technology on the Delhi Metro Pink Line, the rapid adoption of QR code ticketing and advancements in the survey system.
Indian Infrastructure provides a snapshot of the key developments in the urban transport sector over the past year…
Budgetary allocations
The Union Budget 2022-23 has set aside Rs 238.75 billion for the mass rapid transit system (MRTS), an increase of 1.7 per cent over 2021-22 (revised estimate). This includes an outlay of Rs 47.1 billion towards projects of the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).
Key project updates
A number of key metro projects were completed during the past 12-15 months:
- Pune Metro: Two sections of the Pune Metro were inaugurated in March 2022. These include the 7 km-long Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC)-Phugewadi stretch and the 5 km-long Vanaz-Garware stretch.
- Nagpur metro Phase I: Construction work on the Nagpur Metro Rail Project Phase I has been completed. The project involved the development of the 38.21 km-long metro rail system in Nagpur, Maharashtra, at an investment of Rs 86.8 billion.
- Kolkata East-West Metro: Commercial operations on the 2.1 km-long Sealdah-Phoolbagan section of the Kolkata East-West Metro Project commenced in July 2022.
- Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS: NCRTC conducted the test run of the train set for the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) Project in August 2022 on depot tracks at Duhai in Ghaziabad. Also, pier construction work has been completed on the 41 km-long stretch of the project.
- Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar Metro Phase I: Trial runs on the Gyaspur depot-Motera stretch of the North-South corridor of the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar Metro Rail Project – Phase I commenced in May 2022. The project involves the development of the 40.03 km-long metro rail corridor connecting the cities of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar at an investment of Rs 125 billion.
- Mumbai Metro Line 3 tunnelling update: Tunnelling work on the 832.5 metre-long Mahalaxmi-Mumbai Central stretch of the Mumbai Metro Line 3 Project [Colaba-Bandra-Santacruz Electronics Export Processing Zone (SEEPZ)] was completed in June 2022. With this, the entire downline tunnel of the project has been completed. The project involves the development of an underground metro rail system in Mumbai connecting Colaba to SEEPZ via Bandra.
Technological uptake
Metro rails were among the early adopters of internet of things (IoT) and big data technology. Devices and sensors along the tracks and inside stations have helped enhance operators’ situational awareness, and keep the rail system secure. Metro rail companies are managing and monitoring video surveillance data feeds, turnstile entrance access control data, X-ray baggage scanners, door metal frame detectors and handheld metal detector systems very efficiently.
- Introducing automatic train supervision (ATS): In December 2021, indigenous-ATS technology for the Delhi Metro’s Red Line was inaugurated. However, the final field trials of the indigenous-ATS were virtually inaugurated in March 2022.
- Surveys using modern systems: The Telangana government’s special purpose vehicle (SPV), Hyderabad Metro Rail, has started a survey of the 5.5 km-long Old City route from the Mahatma Gandhi bus station, Imlibun to Falaknuma, of Corridor II (Green Line). The survey is being done through light detection and ranging (LiDAR), where the laser ranging system, global positioning system (GPS) and inertial measurement units are used with the help of machines. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is using IoT, which is a web of construction devices including GPS and sensors, for its Phase IV project. In addition, DMRC is carrying out GPS monitoring of all construction plants and machinery.
- Advancements in fare media: Innovative solutions for fare collection, further supported by cashless transactions through mobile wallets and quick response (QR) codes, are being introduced. The Mumbai Metro has become the first MRTS to offer e-ticketing via WhatsApp. The Centre for Railway Information Systems developed the Metro Ride Kolkata application in March 2022 for the metro commuters’ seamless travel and contactless ticketing. The Maharashtra Government has launched a pan-India Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport card, also known as the national common mobility card, which can be used for travelling or purchasing all over the country. As per the latest development, India’s first RRTS corridor, between Delhi and Meerut, will adopt a modern automatic fare collection system, which will be developed and implemented by Paytm Payments Bank Limited and the Datamatics–AEP consortium.
- Adoption of driverless operations: Metro systems have been increasingly focusing on switching to advanced technologies such as driverless operations. Driverless train operations on Delhi’s Pink Line (Line 7) were started in November 2021. Further, DMRC is planning to acquire 52 new trains, including for the upcoming Silver Line under Phase IV, which would be compliant with unattended train operation.
Rising emphasis on solar power
The Pune Metro has made provisions for the installation of 11.19 MW of peak solar power generation on the rooftops of elevated stations and depots, right from their inception. The energy generated will be used in stations and as traction power for running trains. The project will be executed under the renewable energy service company model, with no capex, by the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation (Maha Metro). Moreover, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) intends to utilise solar energy to operate its trains. At present, solar panels have been installed in five stations – Konanakunte Cross, Doddakallasandra, Vajarahalli, Talaghattapura and the Silk Institute on the Kanakapura Road Metro corridor (Green Line extension, Yelachenahalli-Silk Institute). BMRCL plans to install solar panels in all metro stations covered under Phases 2, 2A and 2B by March 2023.
Key orders secured
- Major innovations in the rolling stock segment include the introduction of obstruction deflection devices and deployment of real-time monitoring systems in coaches.
- In a notable development, the Chennai Metro Rail Corporation has issued a letter of award worth Rs 9.47 billion in favour of Alstom Transport India for the supply of 78 metro coaches (Package ARE03A) for Corridor 4 of the Chennai Metro Rail Project Phase 2.
- Recently, Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited received the first prototype train for the 33.5 km-long Colaba-Bandra SEEPZ Metro 3 corridor from Alstom Transport India.
- Alstom has also been awarded a Euro 387 million contract by Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited to deliver new trains for the Bhopal and Indore metro projects in India. The order is for 156 Movia metro cars, including the installation of the latest generation of the communication-based train control signalling system and train control and telecommunication systems.
Emerging modes of transit
Metrolite and MetroNeo are emerging modes of transit, which are receiving a positive response from the government and metro corporations.
- A detailed project report (DPR) has been prepared for the Metrolite project in Coimbatore. Metrolite will cover a distance of 138.9 km in three phases and it is expected to be completed by 2027.
- The Metrolite projects for Jammu and Srinagar cities are set to get approval from the union cabinet soon.
- The Kerala government is likely to merge Kerala Rapid Transit Corporation Limited, the SPV formed to execute the Metrolite project in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode, with Kochi Metro Rail Corporation Limited.
- A DPR for a MetroNeo project has been prepared in-house by Uttarakhand Metro Rail and Urban Infrastructure and Building Construction Corporation Limited.
- Kochi Metro Rail Limited has proposed two MetroNeo stretches – the 6 km-long Thripunithura-Kakkanad (Infopark) corridor and the 4 km-long MG Road-Menaka-Park Avenue Road-Hospital Road-MG Road corridor.
Outlook
The urban rail sector is growing at a rapid pace. The sector has a promising outlook given the policy support, robust project pipeline and increasing emphasis on efficient modes of mass transport. The Make in India initiative has also increased the level of indigenisation in metro projects. The overall growth of the sector is dependent on a number of factors such as the creation of a Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority, integration of various transport modes and smart ticketing.