Chennai/Kochi: Kochi Metro Rail (KMRL) on Saturday received the first set of Made in India coaches five months ahead of schedule from Alstom Transport, the rolling stock manufactures for the project.
Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu flagged off the first train set in the presence of Kerala Minister for Power and Railways Aryadan Muhammed at an official ceremony held on this occasion at the Alstom's facility in Sricity Special Economic Zone in Tada in Andhra Pradesh.
According to a Kochi Metro release, the order for 25 train set was placed in August 2014 and the French company delivered the first train set in record time. As per the contract, the company is responsible for the design, manufacturing, supply, installation and commissioning of 25 standard track gauge trains.
In his brief speech, Naidu urged the industry units to create more employment in the region and made an appeal to take up projects benefitting the locals. With presence of over one hundred multi-national firms, Sri City SEZ, located 90 km from Chennai, stands as a true manifestation of the Government's Make in India campaign, Sri City, SEZ, Managing Director Ravindra Sannareddy said.
"We take pride that Alstom Transport is supplying the very first set of Made in India coaches to Kochi Metro," he said.
KMRL, in its effort make the Kochi Metro most modern and user friendly has provided unique experience and comfort in the Kochi Metro coach, differentiating it with any other metro system in India with the help of Alstom and Tata Elxsi.
Each train will be fitted with two air conditioning units per car to provide thermal comfort to the commuters. Alstom said this was for the first time a Metropolis train set was produced at the Sri City SEZ. The 25 coaches would run on an elevated metro rail network 25 kms long and 22 stations across Kochi.
"The line is expected to be open by end of 2016. The unique design of Kochi Metro is that the front end features LED lights that are in the shape of elephant's tusk", a statement from Alstom said.
Kochi Metro Rail Ltd, Managing Director, Elias George said it was a "big achievement" as the coaches were delivered ahead of schedule in a time of 15 months.
