Titagarh Firema bags Rolling Stock contract worth Rs1125 cr of Pune Metro

Pune (Urban Transport News): In a big boost to Government of India's 'Make In India' initiative, Titagarh Firema SpA (an Indian multinational firm) has won an international bid from Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation (Maha Metro) for the supply of 102 Aluminium bodied Metro Rail coaches for Pune Metro Rail Project. The Titagarh Firema SpA is the wholly-owned Italian subsidiary of Kolkata based Titagarh Wagons Limited.

Titagarh Firema SpA ('TFA') has emerged as the lowest bidder in the tender (Notice No. P1/RS-01/2018-ICB) issued by Maha Metro for 'Design, Manufacture, Supply, Testing, Commissioning of Passenger Rolling Stock (Electrical Multiple Units) and Training Of Personnel' at Pune Metro Rail Project. Durga Shankar Mishra, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has shared this information through his official twitter handle.

According to the bid documents first 3-Car Prototype Metro Trainset is required to be supplied in 78 weeks and the balance 99 coaches (33 trainsets) in several phases over 160 weeks. The ultra-modern Aluminium coaches will be manufactured for the first time in India under the "Make in India" initiative. 25% of the coaches will be manufactured at their plant in Italy and balance 75% will be produced and commissioned at Maha Metro Coach Manufacturing Plant at Nagpur.

This will be for the first time that aluminium bodied coaches will be manufactured in India. So far, stainless steel bodied coaches are being used by the various metros in India. Aluminium body coaches being lighter, are more energy efficient and have better aesthetics. Manufacturing of these new generation coaches will be a game changer in the Indian metros.

While filing the report with NSE and BSE, Titagarh Wagans Limited said that the order valued at approximately Rs 1,125 crore, is likely to be issued in the next few days and more details would be shared by the Company upon receipt of the formal order from the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation. "Initially trains in Pune Metro will be of 3 coaches which will be subsequently converted into 6 coaches as per traffic requirement. These coaches will be fully air conditioned with humidity control provided with digital route and station display and interiors of international standards.

They will have 100% CCTV coverage. Will have emergency/panic button to ensure safety of the passengers. Passengers will be able to speak to Train Operator on board as well as to Emergency Control at OCC if required. Physically challenged passengers can travel seamlessly to/ from the station entry to the train with specially earmarked places for the wheel chairs. Mobile and laptop charging facility will also be provided on board.

Coaches will be ergonomically and aero dynamically designed with the coach exterior to reflect, history culture heritage of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad areas. Coaches will be fit for maximum speed of 95 Kmph and will have the capacity to accommodate over 925 passengers. They are energy efficient and will be equipped with regenerative braking system. They will also be capable of operations in driverless mode, however Pune Metro's operations will be with drivers/operators", said in the statement issued by Maha Metro.

In December 2016, Central cabinet had approved the 11.5 km long north-south metro corridor (Line 1) from Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation area to Swargate and the 14.7 km long east-west metro corridor (Line 2) from Vanaz to Ramwadi. Both lines are exptected to open in 2021. The company had announced sometimes back that its wholly-owned Italian subsidiary Titagarh Firema SpA has been awarded the 'Letter of Acceptance' for design, manufacture and supply of 54 units of Metro for Ferrovia Circumetnea in Italy.