BEML receives Rs 3,177 crore rolling stock order from Bengaluru Metro

BEML will supply the prototype of the coaches to BMRCL by 2025, according to sources.

Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) on August 7 said that it has received a rolling stock order worth Rs 3,177 crore from Bangalore Rail Corporation Limited.

In an exchange filing, Bengaluru-based BEML stated, "BEML has secured the Letter of Acceptance from Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation for the supply of rolling stock contract 5RS-DM valued at Rs 3,177 crore".

In May 2023, BEML emerged as the lowest bidder to supply 318 coaches for Bengaluru Metro's Phase 2, Phase 2A, and Phase 2B corridors. However, there was a delay from BMRCL in issuing the LoA to BEML.

According to the contract, BEML will also be responsible for maintaining the coaches for 15 years. This is the first time BMRCL is including a maintenance clause in a rolling stock tender.

The allocation of coaches is as follows: 126 coaches for Phase 2B (Blue Line: 37 km KR Puram to Kempegowda International Airport), 96 coaches for the Blue Line (18.2 km Central Silk Board to KR Puram), and 96 coaches for the Pink Line (21.3 km Kalena Agrahara to Nagawara). The Pink Line is expected to become operational by 2025, while the Blue Line (ORR-KIA Metro corridor) is likely to be ready by 2025-2026.

BEML sources said the company will supply the prototype of the coach to BMRCL by 2025. A source added, "This is the largest order from Bengaluru Metro. BEML is now busy with the design and manufacture of sleeper coaches for 10 Vande Bharat train sets. The full-fledged work for BMRCL will commence next year."

BMRCL officials said that BEML will supply trains between June 2025 and December 2026. "All coaches will be equipped with an advanced Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) system. The Pink Line will receive the first train by June 2025" a senior BMRCL official said.

However, a BEML source said "Our production capacity is two trains per month. We also have the Mumbai Metro contract, so only one train each for Mumbai and Bengaluru can be rolled out per month. The Pink line is 21 km, so a minimum of 15 trains are required to commence commercial operations. We are facing a manpower shortage, as most regular employees are retiring. The first prototype might roll out by August 2025," he said.

The tender, part of a Rs 3,717-crore loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), faced delays and was scheduled to be finalised in December 2022.