Chennai: France-based Alstom has commenced manufacturing of rail coaches for Kochi Metro Rail, coinciding with the Make in India concept promoted by the Centre, at nearby Sri City Special Economic Zone.
Alstom had bagged the contract to supply 25 state-of-the-art Metropolis train sets to KMRL.
Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu formally unveiled the first Made in India car-body shell for Kochi Metro Rail Ltd, at a function at the manufacturing facility of Alstom Transport Ltd at Sri City SEZ, Tada.
Alstom is in charge of design, manufacturing, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of 25 standard track gauge trains with an option to supply 25 additional metro sets.
"KMRL expects that our rolling stock will be one of the fastest delivered coaches for any metro project in this country with the most modern design and advanced technology also being cost effective", Kochi Metro Rail Ltd., Managing Director Elias George said.
Each train would comprise three cars, about 65 metres long, with a capacity to carry 975 passengers.The first set of train are likely to be handed over by early next year,he said.
With the commencement of production at Sri City SEZ, Alstom Transport India Managing Director Bharat Salhotra said, "these trains will be manufactured end-to-end at our world class manufacturing facility at Sri City, which is a manifestation of the government's Make in India vision".
"The order from Kochi is our second metro contract in the country after Chennai Metro and reaffirms our commitment to provide 100 per cent localised, competitive, innovative and high value products for our customers.", he said.
A Kochi report said Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy expressed hope that the first phase of the Kochi Metro project would be completed by early 2016.
Chandy joined the function at Kochi through teleconferencing.
"The government is committed to commissioning the project in a time-bound manner," the CM said and added that a key element in timely completion of the project is the delivery of Metro Rail Coaches.
He said people of Kerala are eagerly awaiting completion of the Kochi Metro-- a dream project of the state.
Chandy also hoped that the coaches for the Kochi Metro would be ready by the end of this year.
