INDIA: Limited revenue services started on the first 6·2 km section of Bhopal metro’s Orange Line on December 21. Trains are initially running every 1 h 15 min between 9.00 and 17.00.
The first train was flagged off in the presence of Dr Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. The eight-station priority corridor in the southeast of the city links Subhash Nagar and the Aiims medical campus and cost Rs22·25bn.
Stations feature platform screen doors, escalators and high speed lifts, AI-based CCTV cameras, audio and visual passenger information systems and emergency buttons.
Nine trainsets arrived
Alstom is supplying 52 three-car, 1 435 mm gauge Movia trainsets, CBTC and telecoms for both the Indore and Bhopal metro projects under a €387m combined order signed in June 2022. The deal includes the provision of Alstom’s FlexCare Perform maintenance services for 15 years.
Of this build, 27 trainsets are being built for Bhopal, of which Alstom had by the opening delivered nine. The first arrived at Bhopal in August 2023; the trainsets are being produced at Alstom’s Savli factory in Gujarat.
The lightweight trains can operate at a maximum speed of 80 km/h and have a capacity of 144 seated and 981 standing passengers. They feature dedicated spaces for wheelchairs, air-conditioning and mobile charging points.
The remaining sections of the Orange Line are under construction, and the line will total 16·7 km upon completion, while the Blue Line is also in build and will add a further 14·2 km.
- Learn more: Read our feature article on the rapid growth of the Indian metro networks in the February 2024 issue of Railway Gazette International.
