Alstom, a leading multinational sustainable mobility provider, has successfully delivered India's first semi high-speed regional train for National Capital Region Transport Corporation's (NCRTC), 82.5 km long Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Phase 1. The rollout ceremony was held at Alstom's manufacturing unit at Savli in Gujarat, in the presence of Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs, Government of India (who joined virtually), Manoj Joshi, Chairman - NCRTC, Secretary, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Govt. of India, Vinay Kumar Singh, MD - NCRTC, and Alain Spohr, Managing Director, Alstom India. Designed and built to move passengers at 180 kmph, these trains are expected to reduce the travel time between Delhi and Meerut by 40 per cent. These semi-high-speed aerodynamic trains are energy-efficient and designed to offer top-notch comfort and safety features for a premium passenger experience for commuters, including the specially-abled.
Speaking at the ceremony, Puri said, "It is a proud moment for all of us to witness the rollout of the RRTS trainset, which is a true manifestation of the Prime Minister's vision of an ‘Aatmanirbhar India'. Designed in India, made in India, Made for India - it is the perfect demonstration of the Make in India initiative. We must plan efficient public transport to fully harness the potential of our metropolitan cities so that we truly make them the engines of growth for tomorrow's economy."
Spohr commented on the delivery, saying, "We are proud to attain another key milestone in making India's first semi-high-speed regional commuter service a reality. The RRTS project is one of the most ambitious ventures in India's mobility sector and will prove to be a game-changer in India's regional rail segment. Our trains and ETCS signalling systems will ensure a safer and seamless intercity commute, benefitting millions of people and contributing to socio-economic development. Delivering the first train within a year of commencing production reinstates Alstom's commitment to revolutionise India's rail networks."
Designed at Alstom's Hyderabad engineering centre and manufactured in Savli (Gujarat), these trains' propulsion systems and electricals are manufactured at the company's factory in Maneja (Gujarat). The Savli unit produces bogies and car bodies and undertakes train testing. Alstom's unit has successfully delivered Delhi Metro and Queensland Rail trains and is currently producing metro trains for Kanpur & Agra cities.
In 2020, the company was awarded a contract worth 436 million Euros to:
- Design, build and deliver 210 regional commuter and transit train cars along with comprehensive maintenance services for 15 years
- Design, supply, install, test and commission Signalling & Train Control, Supervision, Platform Screen Doors and Telecommunication Systems
Some of the safety and passenger comfort features on these fully air-conditioned trains include - Ergonomically built 2×2 transverse seating, wide gangway for comfortable standing space, overhead luggage racks, CCTV cameras, fire & smoke detector, intercom, fire extinguisher, exterior camera, door status indicators, grab handles, Wi-Fi, laptop/mobile/USB charging stations, dynamic route display maps, auto controlled ambient lighting system, large windows for a panoramic view and ergonomically designed areas to support the specially-abled & medical emergencies.
The first look of the train inspired by Delhi's iconic monument, the Lotus Temple, was unveiled in September 2020. With the manufacturing process beginning in July 2021, the first train will be delivered within a year. This RRTS line is the first in India to adopt the European Train Control System (ETCS) hybrid Level 2 signalling system, which is the core signalling and train control component of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS). This contract also marks the world premiere for combining the latest ETCS standard supported by the latest digital Interlocking and Automatic Train Operation (ATO) over Long Term Evolution (LTE) radio.
