B'luru-based Hitachi Rail bags Chennai Metro tender worth Rs 1,620 cr

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: A consortium of Hitachi Rail STS SPA and Hitachi Rail STS India Private Limited has been awarded the signalling contract for the phase II project of Chennai Metro Rail at a value of Rs 1,620 crore.

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) said this is the largest signalling tender to be executed by it, and the contractor will have to design, manufacture, supply, install, and commission the signalling, train control and video management system.

The new system, called communication-based train control (CBTC), will enable automatic train operation without the requirement of any operators. The trains will be able to run with a minimum frequency of 90 seconds in the new system unlike the Phase I project, a press release stated.

In addition to driverless operations, the system will integrate other aspects like automatic train movement at the depot, functioning of platform screen doors and passenger information and display systems.

“This system enables real-time streaming of video for management, monitoring and control from a centralised operation control centre (OCC),” the release said. The system will undergo intensive testing on several safety factors to transport passengers safely.

Finally, an independent safety assessment team will certify it as having the highest level of safety by international standards, it said.