Most metro rail projects in the country use advanced signalling and telecommunications (S&T) systems such as automatic train control (ATC) that automatically controls train movement, thereby ensuring train safety and directing train operations. The ATC system has three subsystems – automatic train operation (ATO), automatic train protection (ATP) and automatic train supervision (ATS). Further, ATC has two advanced variants – communications-based train control (CBTC) systems and advanced radio frequency CBTC. The CBTC system is a driverless technology that is equipped with the latest tools and solutions to provide immediate status updates to avoid accidents in the event of special circumstances such as sudden breakdowns or power loss.
In the past few years, these advanced S&T systems have gained prominence with the majority of under-construction and upcoming metro networks deploying such systems for train operations.
Market size
The market for signalling and train control systems in India has expanded over the years. The market size has increased at a compound annual growth rate of 22.94 per cent. In 2006, the market size for these systems was estimated to be about Rs 7.5 billion. At the time, there were only two operational metro projects – the Delhi metro, Phase I, and the Kolkata metro. While the Kolkata metro ran on absolute block signalling systems, Delhi metro used automatic signalling and train control systems. By 2013, the market size for signalling and train control systems increased to Rs 32 billion with the operationalisation of new metro projects/lines. A number of new contracts have been awarded and more metro lines have commenced operations since. With the operationalisation of metro systems in various cities, the signalling market has grown further and stands at Rs 29 billion, as of March 2019. Meanwhile, the telecom market size is estimated to be Rs 23 billion, as of March 2019.
The signalling and train control system for the first operational line of the Delhi metro was supplied by Alstom and Sumitomo Corporation in 2002. Till 2008, the market was dominated by three players – Alstom, Thales and Bombardier. After 2008, with the rising number of upcoming metro projects, several players have entered the segment.
Japan-based Nippon Signal Company Limited secured its first order with the signalling and train control contract for Phase III of the Delhi metro. The deal is the first Indian metro signalling contract to be awarded to a Japanese supplier. Overall, Alstom, Bombardier and Siemens have secured most of the signalling and train control contracts in the country. Other key players present in the market include Fibcom India Limited, ABS India Private Limited, Alcatel Lucent India Limited, Consort Digital Private Limited, Nippon Signal Company Limited, Texmaco Rail and Engineering Limited, and Valiant Communications Limited.
Recent initiatives
Over the past few years, a gamut of initiatives have been taken to improve the reliability and efficiency of S&T systems. These include progressive upgradation of signalling systems through the introduction of new technologies such as electronic interlocking with centralised operation of points and signals, multicoloured LED signals, complete track-circuiting of stations, digital axle counters and automatic signalling. Further, technologies such as train management systems, train protection warning systems and train collision avoidance systems have been introduced to provide automatic train protection.
In August 2019, the Railway Board approved a long-standing proposal of the Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation to upgrade its signalling system. The approval is a significant step as it will reduce the interval between two trains from 5-10 minutes to 90 seconds. Meanwhile, for effective telecommunications, GPS-based mobile train radio communication systems have been introduced. In another development, a few metro rail corporations have deployed a modern optic fibre communication system to facilitate better exchange of information and monitoring of trains. The system is also likely to be deployed on the Bengaluru metro Phase I extension, Lucknow metro, Nagpur metro, and Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar metro projects among others. Apart from these, passenger information systems like LED display screens will also feature in metro trains.
Due to interface issues between rolling
stock and S&T systems, the CBTC system has been adopted on the Kolkata East-West metro. Though the contract for this was awarded in 2011, the technology migrated from the conventional signalling system to CBTC in December 2017.
Earlier, in April 2017, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs released mandatory guidelines for standardisation of broad parameters and indigenisation of metro rail signalling and train control systems. Separately, under the Make in India initiative, the tender document for the procurement of metro cars and related critical equipment (including signalling, train control and telecommunication [STT] equipment) has stipulated the mandatory procurement of nine types of signalling equipment from within the country. Besides, the ministry has also finalised the long-pending norms for signalling equipment. These norms are applicable to over 90 per cent of the equipment imported at present. The norms mandate the installation of signalling systems based on CBTC technology with auto reversal function at terminal stations and the deployment of the unattended train operations (UTO) feature.
In sum
The presence of advanced S&T systems has gained prominence in the urban rail sector. This, in turn, has created a demand for skilled manpower capable of operating and maintaining these advanced systems. The key to avoiding system failures such as train control equipment failure and fused light signals lies in improving maintenance and diagnostics capabilities. Given the high footfall on metro trains, absolute safety can be ensured only by complying with international standards with support interoperability and interchangeability between trains and track sides.
Going forward, expansion of existing metro networks and development of new ones is expected to provide a boost to the deployment of advanced STT systems. The market for such advanced systems will grow with the expansion of existing projects and uptake of new projects.
According to India Infrastructure Research, as of April 2019, there exists an opportunity of over Rs 132 billion in the STT space. Of this, an investment of around Rs 90 billion is expected in the signalling market while the telecom market offers an opportunity to the tune of about Rs 42 billion.