The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) on Tuesday awarded a contract worth Rs.198 crore for the supply of lifts and escalators to a joint venture of Johnson Lifts Pvt. Limited and SJEC Corporation (China).
The firm was identified through an international bidding process, according to a press release.
The scope of work includes, design, manufacture, supply, erection, testing and commissioning. The contract also provides for comprehensive maintenance of the lifts and escalators up to December 31, 2020. Phase-I of the Chennai Metro Rail Project consists of two corridors with elevated viaducts and underground tunnels for a length of 45 km. It will have 19 underground stations and 13 elevated stations.
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In the case of elevated stations, commuters will have to move from street level to the concourse level where they would be able to buy the ticket and then move to the platform level to board the train. In underground stations, the commuters from will go down from the street level to the concourse level and further to the platform level.
Apart from staircases, all the station would be provided with adequate lifts and escalators at all entry and exit points. In all, there would be 122 lifts and 296 escalators.
The lifts and escalators would be operational for about 20 hours every day.
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The lifts, with a carrying capacity of 13 passengers, would be equipped with automatic rescue devices, Braille operating buttons to aid visually challenged persons and can accommodate wheel chair-bound persons.
The escalators would have variable speeds to meet the increased rush hour demand. The operation of the lifts and escalators can be monitored and controlled by remote monitoring systems located at the station.