First Metro train set for Kanpur flagged off in Gujarat’s Savli

Revised
Kanpur: The first Metro train set, which was flagged off at Alstom’s manufacturing plant in Savli in Gujarat on Saturday, is expected to reach Kanpur city by the end of September.
Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) managing director Kumar Keshav and Alstom managing director Alain Spohr were present in Savli during the flagging off ceremony.The trial of Kanpur Metro is very likely to commence from November 15, exactly two years after the launch of the Metro construction in the Industrial city. However, for Kanpur denizens, Metro operations will commence in January next year.
The first Tetro train set is heading towards Kanpur via road route and after reaching here it would be stationed at the Metro depot constructed at the Government polytechnic. Each set of Metro trains has three bogies and would be able to accommodate over 950 persons. In the first phase, Metro will run between IIT-Kanpur and Motijheel. The priority corridor between which Kanpur Metro will run is nine-kilometre-long and will have nine stations.
The CM said, “Uttar Pradesh is having the highest number of operational Metro Projects in various cities — Lucknow, Ghaziabad, Noida and Greater Noida. Besides operating Metro services in Lucknow, UPMRC is currently executing Metro projects in Kanpur and Agra. The Uttar Pradesh government is also planning to have Metro projects in the cities of Gorakhpur, Meerut, Varanasi, Allahabad and Jhansi in coming years. Gorakhpur Metro’s DPR has already been approved by the state government and is expected to be approved by the central government soon.”
The CM congratulated the UPMRC team for timely delivery of trains in less than 14 months (from the date of awarding the contract) in spite of Covid pandemic prevailing since the last one and a half years. He also congratulated the manufacturer Alstom India for ensuring timely delivery of trains in spite of serious challenges in getting the materials from different parts of India and across the globe in spite of serious impact due to Covid.
Kumar Keshav, MD, UPMRC who was present at the Savli plant, congratulated the entire team of UPMRC and Alstom on this occasion. He highlighted that a number of steps were taken to complete the train manufacturing in record time. Earlier UPMRC finalised the integrated contract for Metro trains (rolling stocks) and signalling system to save time. Further, the train design was finalised early after a series of web based close interactions with the German team of manufacturers even during Covid period. Total 39 trains for Kanpur and 28 for Agra, each consisting of three coaches for Kanpur Metro are being manufactured by M/s Alstom in India in view of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ missions, projected by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“We are proud to deliver the first metro trains for Kanpur Metro in record time. After successfully delivering Rolling Stock andSignalling solutions for the state’s capital Lucknow, we are happy to strengthen this partnership with UPMRC and redefine the mobility needs of Kanpur & Agra” said Alain Spohr, MD, Alstom India.
“Our MOVIA metros are world renowned for their operational reliability, appealing design and enhanced safety features – everything that makes metro an attractive mode of transport,” he added.
Inspiration from Uttar Pradesh’s rich cultural heritage combined with best-in-class design has resulted in an attractive look for India’s latest Metro fleet. Aerodynamic modular design of the new metros will offer a host of safety, security and environmental benefits along with great passenger experience. Built with stainless-steel car bodies, the air-conditioned cars will have automated sliding doors, comfortable seating and standing spaces, dedicated areas for entry of specially abled, who use wheelchairs and modern passenger information systems, combining to provide an accessible and welcoming environment for passengers.
After successful trials and approvals, the priority section of nine kilometres between IIT and Motijheel is planned to be opened for the public in January-2022 after detailed inspection and approval of all facilities and systems by the commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS). Kanpur Metro is expected to be the fastest built Metro project in India after starting construction works from November 15, 2019.