India: Kochi Metro Car Unveiled
Image courtesy of Alstom
The first Kochi metro car was unveiled by Indian Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu on 2 January 2016 at Alstoms Sri City plant in Andhra Pradesh.
The Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) network is due to begin carrying passengers in March 2016. It is a 256 km elevated route, featuring 22 stations between Aluva and Petta and is expected to transport 15,000 passengers an hour in each direction.
The 85million contract between Alstom and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, awarded in October 2014, is for an initial order of 25 three-car metropolis trainsets with an option to extend to an additional 25 trainsets.
The design of the car was developed in collaboration with Alstom’s Design and Styling Department Saint-Ouen in France, with the livery created by KMRL and Tata Elxsi.
Metro Trainsets Specifications
The new cars feature front LED lights designed to look like elephant tusks. The 65m long, four door cars are constructed from stainless steel, with aluminium and composite panels. They will have a capacity of 975 passengers, with 136 composite seats set out in a longitudinal arrangement, with cushioned priority seats and spaces for wheelchairs and prams as well as air-conditioning throughout.
Xavier Allard, Director Design & Styling, Alstom Transport said:
The design of the Kochi metro has set a new benchmark in urban mobility in India with its aesthetically-pleasing and stylish designs and technological innovations promoting greener urban transportation in the country. The metro for Kochi supports KMRLs efforts to provide a comfortable, attractive and reliable service to Kochi residents and illustrates one of Alstom’s key strategies to enhance passenger experience.
The 80 km/h trainsets are fitted with Faiveley Transport supplied brakes, couplers, doors and HVAC, as part of a 10million contract with Alstom.
Dominique Pouliquen, Senior Vice-President Alstom Transport Asia-Pacific said:
“This is our second metro contract in the country after Chennai. It confirms our commitment to provide competitive, innovative and high value products and solutions for our customers while serving the ever growing urban transportation market in India.”
In a separate contract worth 34million, Alstom will also deliver the signalling and telecoms systems for the 1435mm gauge metro line, installing Urbalis 400 CBTC signalling on the network. A further 33million contract with Alstom for the electrification of the line includes the installation of a 750 V DC third-rail power supply.