Relief is on the way for passengers using the crowded Bengaluru Metro, the prototype train manufactured by China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) has been shipped from Shanghai Port.
The six-coach distance-to-go (DTG) train is expected at the Chennai Port by December 31, sources in the industry told Moneycontrol, which will bring some comfort to commuters on the Purple (Challaghatta–Whitefield) and Green (Madavara–Silk Institute) Lines.
From Chennai, the train will be transported to Bengaluru through trailers.“The prototype train will likely reach Bengaluru's Peenya depot by January 10, 2025,” a source said.
CRRC has partnered with Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd (TRSL) to make trainsets in India to comply with local manufacturing norms.
Also read: Bengaluru Metro's Whitefield line chokes after return-to-office mandates, more trains only next year.
Six-month trial runs
The train will undergo a six-month trial, including running line tests. “The first train will be deployed on the Purple Line. Since it is a new rolling stock, comprehensive tests are needed,” the source mentioned above said.
After assembling the train, static and electrical circuit tests would be conducted followed by dynamic tests on the mainline.
After these tests, approvals from agencies such as the Research Designs & Standards Organisation and Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety will be required, the source added.
Made in India
In December 2019, CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co won the contract to supply 216 coaches in 173 weeks. Of these, 126 coaches (21 six-coach trains) are for the Purple and Green Lines and 90 coaches (15 six-coach trains) are for the Yellow Line (RV Road–Bommasandra).
The remaining 20 six-coach DTG trains will be manufactured by Kolkata-based Titagarh Rail Systems at its Uttarpara facility.
“After the delivery of all communication-based train control (CBTC) trains for the Yellow Line, the first DTG train from TRSL is expected by Q4 of 2025. The Purple and Green Lines will receive all 21 DTG trains by Q1 of 2027,” an official said.
Also read: How a two-headed bird and Lalbagh glass house inspired Bengaluru Metro's driverless train design
“Testing on the DTG prototype is particularly challenging due to limited night-time slots, as the Purple and Green Lines are already operational,” an official said on condition of anonymity.
The exterior of the DTG train, similar to the Yellow Line CBTC train, both made by CRRC, will feature real-time location and information displayed on LCD dynamic route maps on doors and gangway panels. Currently, all trains running on Bengaluru Metro are made by BEML.
Bengaluru Metro should ideally have one train per km to maintain an optimal frequency of three to four minutes, say experts.
Despite the network expanding to 76.9 km, Bengaluru Metro operates only 57 trains, with an average daily ridership of 7.8 lakh.
Electronics City Metro Operations by March?
The Yellow Line, which connects the Electronics City tech hub, is likely to begin operations by March 2025.
“We expect the first CBTC train from TRSL by January 15, 2025, and the second by February 2025. Operations will commence with three trains and a frequency of every 30 minutes,” a source said. The frequency will improve as more trains are added monthly.
Titagarh Rail, which manufactures aluminium coaches, is making stainless-steel coaches for the first time. “The process is time-consuming, as TRSL personnel, many of whom are new to metro car manufacturing, must meet CRRC's quality standards. Tasks such as welding, gluing, and crimping are being supervised by CRRC engineers,” the source said.
The prototype of the first six-coach train for the Electronics City Metro was shipped from Shanghai port on January 24. It reached Bengaluru on February 14 and is undergoing trials.
The 19km Yellow Line was expected to open in 2021 but faced repeated delays. While civil works are done, train procurement has stalled connectivity to Electronics City. Supply chain challenges, compliance with the 75 percent local production under the “Make in India” initiative, delays caused by COVID-19, foreign direct investment norms and trade restrictions with China all contributed to the delay.
CRRC then tied up with TRSL to meet the local manufacturing mandate. While the prototypes for both CBTC and DTG trains were made in China, the remaining 34 trainsets (14 CBTC and 20 DTG) are being built in India. Visa for CRRC’s Chinese engineers and delays in procuring propulsion systems from Japan also added to the problems. The Yellow Line will introduce driverless trains under the CBTC signalling system, a first for Bengaluru Metro. Unlike the DTG system, which maintains a 2.5-minute gap between trains, CBTC can reduce headway to under 90 seconds, which should improve efficiency and capacity.
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