Medha to supply 20 eight-coach rakes for Kolkata Metro's Purple, Orange and Yellow Lines

Kolkata, India (Metro Rail Today): Kolkata Metro Railway is set to enhance its fleet with the addition of 20 new eight-coach rakes over the next 12 months, as it pushes forward with significant expansions on its Purple, Orange, and Yellow lines. Two prototype rakes are expected to arrive in April, with the rest of the trains gradually arriving throughout the fiscal year, officials confirmed.

Manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, the new Medha rakes will be equipped with the latest automatic communication-based train control (CBTC) signalling system. These upgraded rakes are designed to offer superior comfort and enhanced operational capabilities compared to the existing Medha rakes running on the North-South line.

The new rakes are expected to play a crucial role in improving the efficiency of Kolkata’s expanding Metro network. "The two prototypes arriving in April will undergo extensive trials to meet safety and technical standards, including approval from the Research Designs and Standards Organization (RDSO) and the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS)," said a senior Metro official. The rakes will be able to operate on the advanced CBTC system, which enables a 90-second train frequency and includes anti-collision software for enhanced safety.

Currently, Kolkata Metro operates 36 eight-coach trains, with 13 of these being new Medha rakes. Four of these trains serve the Purple (Joka-Esplanade) and Orange (New Garia-Airport) lines. In addition to the 20 new Medha rakes scheduled for delivery by March 2026, a further 37 rakes are ready but awaiting dispatch schedules for the 2026-2027 period.

While the new Medha rakes will not be as advanced as the BEML rakes operating on the East-West Metro line, they represent a significant upgrade over the current fleet. These rakes are part of ongoing efforts to expand the Metro system, which now spans 60 kilometers. By 2028, officials anticipate daily passenger traffic will reach 48 lakh, with the network expanding to over 120 kilometers.

In line with these growth plans, the Metro Railway is targeting a June 2025 deadline for the 9-km extension of the Orange Line from Ruby to Sector V, followed by a March 2026 extension to City Centre II. Additionally, the 7-km Noapara-Jai Hind Bimanbandar section, part of the Yellow Line’s first phase, is set to open soon. The final leg of the East-West Metro, the 2.5 km Esplanade-Sealdah stretch, is currently undergoing signal trials.

The ongoing upgrades and expansions reflect Kolkata Metro’s commitment to providing a safer, faster, and more efficient transportation system for its growing ridership.