Mumbai Metro-Connecting safely and efficiently

A Video Transmission System (VTS) is provided in the train so that central control can watch whatever is happening inside the compartment in a running train. This is a new system that is being provided for the first time in India.

Power Arrangement

For monitoring and controlling the power supply system, state-of-the-art SCADA system has been selected. The lighting system will be energy efficient while modern signage will be used for guiding the passengers. State-of-the-art fire detection and suppression systems, reliable power supply for stations with DG set and UPS back-up heavy-duty escalators with latest safety features and 25k OHE type Traction Electrification are the highlights of the system.

Automatic Fare Collection (AFC)

The ticketing will be based on Automatic Fare Collection (AFC). World class AFC gates will be installed for entry and exit with special gates for the physically challenged passengers, and contactless smartcards and plastic tickets/tokens will be used. The tickets will be for single ride, multi-rides, stored value ticket and tourist tickets. The fares, that will be revised at 11% every fourth year and fixed by the Government of Maharashtra, will be र6 for up to 3kms, र8 from 3kms to 8kms and र10 beyond 8kms. The trains, according to the plan, will run for 18 and a half hours every day, i.e. from 5.30 am to midnight and they will stop at stations for 30 seconds.

METRO Stations

The user-friendly stations will be designed on three levels – road level, concourse level and platform level. Special lifts will be provided to enable physically challenged people to access them; and two sets of covered staircases and up & down escalators will be provided on both the sides of roads and footpath leading to the concourse level which will be divided into non-paid area and paid area. The latter will be accessible only to valid ticket holders and will give them access to the platforms. Non-paid areas, on the other hand, will have ticketing counters, ticket vending machines, gates for entry and exit, etc. The access points, concourse areas and public areas will be visible from the Station Control Room (SCR) through which the public spaces, passenger flow at escalators, etc will be monitored.

For the disabled people, all stations will be equipped with lifts on both the sides of the road for them to move vertically from the road level to the concourse and from concourse to the platform level. For the visually challenged persons, tactile flooring will be available on the concourse and platform levels. All stations will be equipped with wheel chairs and the coaches will have facilities to accommodate wheel chairs. There will also be a provision for separate toilets for the physically challenged people.

Modal Integration

Andheri Metro station will be connected with the foot over bridge of Andheri suburban station (Western Railway) on the east side by a skywalk. Likewise, the terminal station at Ghatkopar will be constructed over the Hirachand Desai Marg and will connect Metro Station at Ghatkopar with the newly constructed foot over bridge of Ghatkopar station (Central Railway) on the west side. The specific benefits to Mumbai’s commuters will be that “road stress will be reduced, they will have better accessibility to facilities in the influence area, there will be economic stimulation in the micro region of the infrastructure and over-all increased mobility”. It is expected that the Metro will influence and increase business opportunities and facilitate better planning and upgradation of the influence areas.

Contracts Awarded

The major contracts of the project have been awarded to Simplex Infrastructure Ltd (Civil Works – Viaduct), Sew Infrastructure Ltd (Civil Works – Stations and Special Bridges), HCC (critical structures, special spans and stations), M/s Ahluwalia Constructions (Depot), CSR Nanjing, China (Rolling Stock), Siemens (Signalling System), ABB (Power Supply Traction & SCADA, and E &M), Thales-Alcatel (Communication System), VNC Rail One (Trackwork), Indra (Automatic Fare Collection), Schindler (Escalators), OTIS (Lifts). The Depot Machinery @ Plant works have been awarded to various suppliers. ABB, which will supply power systems, will be responsible for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of traction electrification, power supply, power distribution and SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) system for the first metro corridor.

Integrated Security Measures considered during design process: It is important to note here that it is for the first time that integrated Security Measures have been considered in the design phase itself. After a rigorous process, the most optimal design was arrived at. The basic principle for system design and engineering has been passenger safety and convenience.

Public Information Centre: A Public Information Centre has been set up at Saki Naka, Andheri (East) so that people can have their queries addressed from Monday to Friday and also, give suggestions. It was opened on October 26, 2007.

A Green Initiative: Mumbai Metro will be Asia’s first Green Metro. And the green image begins right from the construction stage. It has undertaken Environment Impact Assessment and Feasibility for LEED Certification for the Project studies. The technology used for the project is environment-friendly.

Though Mumbai Metro has had its fair share of criticism – that of displacing people, being sued by Andheri residents for damaging their homes with the construction work and for causing traffic inconvenience due to construction works in the middle of the road – the fact is, when this project comes through, travellers in Mumbai will heave a sigh of relief. Just like Mumbai’s flyovers – which had been opposed by some quarters – changed the travel discipline of the city, Mumbai Metro’s elevated tracks are expected to give a new dimension to Mumbai’s transport system.