Strengthening its foothold in the Indian transport sector, French power and transportation solutions giant, Alstom said that it would start making deliveries of the rolling stock for the Chennai Metro by the end of this year. Alstom, which was also one of the major technology providers for the ongoing Bangalore Metro project, said that the company's transport business had gained momentum with the winning of Chennai Metro contract for supply of rolling stock and track works. Alstom will provide 168 cars for Chennai's metro for around Rs.1,470 crore with deliveries planned for the end of 2012, according to an official spokesperson of the company. In addition to supplying the rolling stock, Alstom will equip the new trains with a signalling system for Automatic Train Protection (ATP) and Automatic Train Operation (ATO). As a multi-specialist rail transport solutions supplier, Alstom has provided train control and signalling systems for the Delhi and Bangalore Metros.
With the focus turning to infrastructure, especially in the transportation sector, the company is gearing up to meet the future challenges in the Indian industry and is ready to partner in the development of metro trains, high-speed trains and upgradation of the tracking and signalling systems to help in running an efficient and well-maintained railways. At present, Alstom is building a factory at the Sri City industrial township in Andhra Pradesh for rolling stock production, which will complement what it already has in signalling in Coimbatore. For the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), the contract includes design, manufacturing, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of modern signalling train control and telecommunication systems for two corridor lines of 42 km with 40 stations.
Alstom has provided design, manufacturing, supply, installing, testing and commissioning of the train control and signalling systems. Alstom especially supplied its Automatic Train Control System ‘Urbalis'. A global urban network management solution, Urbalis automatically controls train movements, optimising traffic flows and intervals between trains, guaranteeing passenger safety and improving the commercial efficiency of the line. It ensures optimal safety, flexible operations and heightened passenger comfort. This fully proven solution has been successfully deployed in many cities in the world. Alstom has supplied the same solution to New Delhi Metro line 1and 2 and their extensions. Alstom's Chairman and CEO Patrick Kron recently commissioned the successful installation of two new super heavy machines which holds immense importance with regard to Indian hydro market requirements. Two high capacity machines — 150T heavy boring machine and 250T heavy vertical turning lath — were inaugurated on the occasion.
