Three firms bid for supply of 32 new trainsets for Chennai Metro Phase 2 Project

Chennai, India (Metro Rail Today): The Chennai Metro Phase 2 project, spanning 116.1 km, took a significant step forward as Alstom Transport India, BEML, and Titagarh Rail Systems submitted bids on Wednesday to supply 32 advanced train sets under Package ARE04A. These state-of-the-art trains will enhance the city’s public transit system with cutting-edge features and improved passenger capacity.

The contract encompasses 96 coaches configured into 32 train sets, each with three cars: Driving Motor Car (DMC) + Trailer Car (TC) + Driving Motor Car (DMC). These standard-gauge trains will operate on Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL)'s expanding network, improving connectivity across the city.

CMRL initially planned to lease 42 three-car trains for Lines 3 and 5 over 39 years. However, the November 2021 bidding process attracted only one applicant, Titagarh Wagons, which led to the suspension of the leasing model. Instead, CMRL opted for procurement and re-invited bids in February 2024, with funding from the Tamil Nadu state government.

Bid Submission and Contract Details

Technical bids opened on 22nd January 2025 revealed three contenders: Alstom, BEML, and Titagarh, confirming market expectations. The 32 train sets, yet to be assigned to specific lines or corridors, will be stabled at Madhavaram Depot (Lines 3 & 5), Semmancheri Depot (Line 3), or Poonamallee Depot (Line 4).

The contract timeline includes:

• Contract Period: 1300 days for manufacturing and testing.

• Defect Notification Period (DNP): 730 days.

• Comprehensive Maintenance Contract (CMC): 15 years.

Technical Specifications and Delivery Milestones

The winning bidder must deliver the first prototype train within 630 days of the contract’s commencement. Subsequent deliveries include:

• 6 trains in 840 days.

• 6 more trains in 900 days.

• Another 6 trains in 960 days.

• 6 trains in 1020 days.

• Final 7 trains in 1090 days.

The trains, narrower than Phase 1’s models, will measure 22,600 mm in length and 2900 mm in width, akin to Jaipur Metro and Delhi Metro’s violet and green lines. Designed for a maximum operating speed of 80 km/h and a capacity of 980 passengers per train, they will feature eight dynamic route map displays and six additional displays for advertisements.

Driverless Operation and Future Prospects

The new trains are engineered for GoA4 “driverless” Unattended Train Operations (UTO) mode, promising automation and efficiency. CMRL aims to implement this mode from the start of commercial operations, tentatively slated for 2027.

Phase 2 Rolling Stock Update

CMRL plans to acquire 414 coaches through three rolling stock packages:

1. ARE02A (Lines 3 & 5): Contract awarded to BEML in November 2024.

2. ARE03A (Line 4): Alstom rolled out the first train in September 2024.

3. ARE04A (Lines 3, 4 & 5): Currently under bid evaluation.

The technical evaluation of the bids will take several months, after which financial bids will determine the lowest bidder and likely supplier. With this progress, Chennai Metro Phase 2 is on track to redefine urban transportation and set new benchmarks in public transit efficiency.