As India is on its mission of making its cities smart, there has been immense emphasis on infrastructural development. Railways modernisation plans and metro rail construction in multiple cities has created excitement. One of the companies that is helping India in achieving its dream of Smart Cities is Alstom. The company is led by Jean-Francois Beaudoin, Senior Vice President, Alstom Asia Pacific, who believes that the Indian market is extremely fecund in terms of investment right now. "The urban metro rail segment provides a vibrant space for all domestic and global companies since several metro rail projects are on the anvil. For instance, Mumbai Metro and Delhi metro will be expanded. Meanwhile, metro projects in several other cities such as Kozhikode, Guwahati, Pune, Varanasi, Trivandrum, Agra, Indore, Bhopal and Surat are being planned. The sector is poised to grow further with major technological innovations like intelligent signalling and lighter trains with better propulsion systems. As a leader in transport solutions, Alstom is well poised to tap opportunities.

Elaborating on various projects that Alstom is undertaking in the country, he mentions, "At present, the company is executing
metro projects in several Indian cities including Chennai, Kochi and Lucknow, where it is supplying Rolling Stock. In the Mainline space,
Alstom is executing signalling and power supply systems for the 343 km section on The World Bank funded Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor."

In order to deliver these projects the company has three manufacturing facilities across the country. "The Bangalore facility houses Alstom Digital Mobility, Signalling and Rolling Stock Engineering Centre. The company also has Rolling stock manufacturing unit at Sri City facility, Andhra Pradesh. It has capacity of 300 cars per year. Rolling Stock for Chennai, Kochi and Lucknow are being supplied from this facility. The manufacturing unit for Track Circuits & Traction Equipment is located at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu," he informs.

Feather in the cap
In addition to these various cities, Alstom is closely working with Indian Railways to modernise its fleet and systems. The company recently commenced production at its greenfield electric locomotive
manufacturing facility. This facility has been opened in joint venture with Indian Railways. "Located at Madhepura Bihar, it is Alstom's first electric locomotive manufacturing facility in the country. With this we are set to transform the heavy freight transport landscape in the country. The Prima T8 (WAG12) locomotive, which will be produced in this new factory, is part of Alstom's Prima range of locomotives and has been specially adapted for Indian network. The first two car body shells have already arrived at Madhepura and will be soon fitted and assembled at the plant. The first locomotive will be ready for roll-out early next year. Further we look at delivering the first five locomotives by 2019 followed by 35 locomotives by 2020, 60 in 2021, and by 100 every year till the target of 800 is completed," he asserts.

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