INDIA: Chennai Metro Rail Ltd has signed a €73m contract with the consortium of Alstom and Larsen & Toubro to supply trackwork for the 45 km two-line double-track metro network now under construction in the city.

The scope of the contract includes design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of 105 km of track, which includes 15 km within the depot at Koyambedu. Completion of the first phase, involving 21route-km of elevated track, is due by the end of 2013 while the 24 route-km underground section should be finished by mid-2015.

Alstom is also supplying CMRL with 42 four-car trains to work the network, which comprises the 23 km north-south Line 1 from Washermanpet to the Airport, and the 22 km Line 2 from Chennai Central to St Thomas Mount via Koyambedu. Deliveries are due to start at the end of 2012, with opening envisaged in 2014-15.