The Indian urban rail transit system has come a long way with more than 980 km of operationalised network across the country. More than 1,000 km of metro rail projects are under construction and many more are at the planning or proposal stage. This rapid expansion can be attributed to government support, technology impetus, increased financial assistance and the introduction of new transit networks. To further mobilise resources, metro rail corporations have started adopting innovative measures, such as outsourcing operations and maintenance activities, asset management, fare collection and integration, and commercial/retail activities in and around stations, among others.
Trends in key segments
Rolling stock
With the rapidly expanding metro rail network in India, the rolling stock market has evolved over the years. For instance, aluminium and stainless steel coaches are being manufactured as they are energy-efficient, sustainable and require low maintenance. Recently, Jindal Stainless supplied 201LN grade stainless steel for India’s inaugural Vande metro train. These coaches are lighter, more energy efficient and more cost-effective, ushering in a new era of intercity travel. This steel offers superior corrosion resistance, strength, durability and crash-resistant properties, to ensure passenger safety. Another metro, Mumbai Metro Line 3, the city’s first underground metro inaugurated in October 2024, includes lightweight, fully furnished modern metro train sets with advanced safety features and these are equipped with a regenerative braking systems, significantly reducing carbon emissions. These metro cars have 75 per cent motorisation, enabling quick acceleration and deceleration, thereby bringing about greater efficiency in operations. Furthermore, driverless technology is increasingly being adopted across metro rail corporations, including the Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai, to reduce workload and provide more operational flexibility.
Ticketing
There have been advancements in ticketing options with increasing digitalisation and technology adoption. These are supported by cashless transactions through mobile wallets and quick response (QR) codes. For instance, Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Limited has recently introduced a new WhatsApp-based ticketing system for Mumbai metro commuters. Earlier in 2024, the Chennai metro initiated the provision of commuters with QR-coded tickets via WhatsApp at all 41 metro stations. Meanwhile, the Delhi metro has expanded WhatsApp-based ticketing service to all its lines. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is also planning to replace closed-loop Delhi metro smart cards with open-loop National Common Mobility Cards in a phased manner.
Construction software
The adoption of building information modelling (BIM), digital twin and project management software are transforming the construction landscape of metro rail projects. These tools are enabling construction companies to complete projects within the stipulated time and budget, along with increased efficiency and this results in cost savings. For instance, the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation has used the BIM model to create a digital model of the project, which helped better collaboration and communication among stakeholders. This has resulted in cost savings of up to 10 per cent of the project’s total cost, estimated to be around Rs 300 billion. Also, BIM has helped the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation to achieve a cost saving of about Rs 25 billion for its Line 3 project. Further, DMRC has set up a common data environment for its Phase IV project with Autodesk BIM Collaborate Pro. DMRC further plans to utilise artificial intelligence in its Phase IV project to improve efficiency in train maintenance and manage passenger traffic.
Tunnelling
New technologies and innovative techniques are also being adopted to enhance the execution of tunnelling projects. Tunnel boring machines (TBMs) are being extensively used in the implementation of metro tunnel projects due to advantages such as high excavation rates, faster construction, less disruption and lesser ground disturbances compared to other techniques. Besides, the implementation of a data management system in a TBM ensures its efficient control and facilitates the management of other operational processes in tunnelling projects.
Indigenisation
In order to reduce dependence on imports and incentivise foreign players to set up manufacturing units in the country, the government is increasingly focusing on indigenisation within the metro rail sector. India has developed four state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities of metro coaches that have produced over 1,000 metro coaches in the past five years, supporting various metro rail systems across the country. The government has set a target to achieve 100 per cent indigenisation by 2047. For instance, to foster self-control in signalling and train control, DMRC and Bharat Electronics Limited signed an MoU to develop an indigenous communications-based train control (CBTC) system. Besides, Mumbai Metro Line 3’s operations are facilitated by the latest generation of CBTC system, Urbalis Forward, which features the highest grade of automation, GOA4.
Energy conservation
Energy-saving solutions for solar panels, lighting/heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), lifts and escalators are being deployed at metro stations. For instance, DMRC has replaced split ACs with energy-efficient air-cooled chillers at underground Delhi metro stations. The new system is integrated with variable refrigerant flow system at elevated stations, receiving substations and depots. Further, L&T Metro (Hyderabad) has plans to increase the contribution of solar power to meet 100 per cent of its energy requirements and is committed to achieving water neutrality by 2035 and carbon neutrality by 2040. The Chennai metro is also planning to install solar plants in 12 elevated Phase I and extension stations and parking lots, which would save about Rs 49.4 million per year in terms of energy. Along with the already installed solar panels, the Chennai metro would be able to save about 17,350 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
Innovative financing
Metro authorities are exploring innovative means of financing to mobilise resources for metro projects. Land value capture financing (VCF) is gaining traction to address some of the financial challenges and is expected to grow in the future. Nagpur, Bengaluru, Delhi, Pune, Noida, Lucknow and Jaipur metros have tapped VCF.
Metro corporations are using new options to generate revenue. Some of these include commercial/retail activities in and around stations, property development/real estate development, advertisements and transit-oriented development (TOD), among others. For instance, DMRC has been auctioning naming rights to companies and public sector enterprises. The government has also proposed that TOD plans for 14 large cities with a population of more than 3 million will be formulated. This will help in further promoting the economic development of these regions.
Emerging modes of transit
The regional rapid transit system (RRTS) has emerged as an innovative, transformative and strategic regional public transit initiative by the government in the National Capital Region. This high speed system (design speed 180 kmph and operational speed 160 kmph) will provide a high frequency, reliable and safe mode of commuting between metropolitan areas, big cities, towns and other suburban and urban centres in the region. At present, about 42 km of the RRTS network is operational. The National Capital Regional Transportation Corporation has recently signed an agreement with PTC India Limited (Power Trading Corporation) for the procurement of low-cost power, including green energy, through power exchanges for the project.
Kochi Water Metro is another emerging and sustainable mode of transport. The water metro project involves the development of an integrated water transport system, covering 78 km on 15 routes in Kochi in Kerala. Commercial operations on the High Court-Bolgatty-North Mulavukad-South Chittoor and South Chittoor-Eloor-Cheranalloor stretches commenced in March 2024. Besides, the construction work on the Mattancherry terminal under the water metro project has commenced and is expected to be completed by November 2024.
The government is also emphasising on introducing new modes of transit, such as MetroLite and MetroNeo, as urban areas and roads are becoming increasingly congested. Proposals are currently in place to set up metrolite in Kochi, Srinagar, Jammu, Prayagraj, Visakhapatnam and Chennai. In addition, MetroNeo projects are being planned in Warangal, Nashik and Pune.
Promising outlook
The future outlook of the urban rail transport sector seems optimistic. New methods of construction, advanced construction planning and monitoring tools such as 5D BIM, integrated project management systems, smart sensors and drones will play a large part in helping projects to be delivered more efficiently and effectively. As the demand for urban transit systems continues to increase in India, advanced technology is expected to play an increasingly important role in the sector, providing key stakeholders with a competitive edge and enhancing the overall quality of infrastructure development in the country.
Sidra Siddiquie