From April, French train manufacturer Alstom to start work on new trains for Chennai metro
Posted on: 07/Dec/2018 10:18:52 AM
The news that French train manufacturer Alstom would start its work from the month of April 2019 on 10 new trains for the Chennai metro has been the topic of discussion for many now. The work would take place in the plant at Sri City. It is well known that Sri City is a planned integrated business township or city and is located at a distance of 55 kms from Chennai on National Highway 16.
It must be noted that managing director of Alstom, India and South Asia, Mr. Alain Spohr, expressed his thoughts and spoke about how the 10 new trains would have more components sources in India. This would include stainless steel for the outer shell and for the power cabinets. This is more when compared to the 42 trains made for the phase-1. By February 2020, the last set of trains would be delivered to Chennai metro and this was confirmed by the managing director. It is important to mention that currently 70 percent of the components are sourced from domestic players and major components like stainless steel are sourced from Japan and Europe. This Alstom grabbed eyeballs on Thursday, 6th December 2018, when it handed over the last of 42 trains for the 45 km phase-1 of Chennai metro. The company also flagged off the last of the 22 train set for the Sydney metro.
CMRL or Chennai Metro Rail Limited has started trial run on the last leg of 45 km phase-1 between AG-DMS and Washermanpet of 10km is known. The delivery of last of the 42 trains by Alstom had come at this point of time. State industries minister, Mr. Sampath stole the limelight on Thursday when he inspected the AG-DMS metro station prior to the trial run. Mr. Alain Spohr later spoke about how Chennai metro is the only metro to have a special first class. He then added how the customised layout that was required by the officials of metro rain was provided by his company. The superb piece of information is Chennai metro has several features installed for the comfort of the commuters and this included luggage compartment etc. The network would be playing its part in taking the commuters to the airport and to the railway stations located in Chennai Central and Egmore.
In the year 2019, many new projects like metro trains for Montreal and Mumbai would be ready to hit the shop floor. Managing director of Alstom hinted that they were hoping to compete for the contract to build trains for the CMRLs 107.55 km phase-2 project also. Mr. Alain Spohr spoke about how CMRL was discussing with JICA for a tied loan and how trains would come from Japan in return for the loan. The important information is the price would be high. He finally threw light on how CMRL was showing interests to reopen the competition and how his company Alstom would be taking part in the competition. Founded in the year 1928, Alstom is France based multinational company is playing a huge role in rail transportation. The company’s headquarters is located at Saint-Ouen in France is known.
