"PITCMRL Welcomes Pune Metro Line 3's First 'Made in India' Train"

In a significant development for urban transport in Pune, Pune IT City Metro Rail Ltd (PITCMRL) has announced the arrival of the first train set for the forthcoming Metro Line 3 corridor, overseen by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA). The sleek 'Make in India' train, crafted and produced by global mobility leader Alstom at its Sri City facility in Andhra Pradesh, is set to reach the Mann depot on Sunday, according to officials.

Under the contract, PITCMRL has enlisted Alstom to provide 22 train sets for the 23km Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar elevated stretch, executed on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis. Each three-car train boasts a carrying capacity of 1,000 passengers and promises to revolutionize urban mobility in Pune. The implementation of Pune Metro Line 3, spanning from Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar, has been a collaborative effort between Tata Group and PMRDA, operating under a PPP model, with Tata Group establishing Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited as a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for execution.

Alok Kapoor, CEO of PITCMRL, highlighted the cutting-edge features of the trains, including a third rail traction system and regenerative braking. With an operational speed of 85kmph, these trains aim to ensure safe, reliable, and eco-friendly transit between Hinjewadi's IT hub and Shivajinagar's central business district.

Neha Pandit, Director and Business Head of Pune IT City Metro Rail Ltd, emphasized the project's commitment to delivering an exceptional travel experience. Pandit detailed the trains' design elements, which prioritize customer comfort and convenience, featuring eye-catching color schemes, spacious interiors, accessibility for the specially-abled, ergonomic seating, and advanced passenger information systems.

Pandit underscored the project's success as a result of effective public-private collaboration, aiming to establish a world-class metro system adhering to the highest performance and sustainability standards. She expressed confidence that Line 3 will not only transform urban mobility but also significantly contribute to Pune's overall development.

PMRDA Commissioner Rahul Mahiwal affirmed that the project is progressing as planned, while PMRDA Chief Engineer Rinaj Pathan disclosed plans for the dispatch of the remaining train sets over the next 6-8 months, totaling 22 trains.

Pune Metro Line 3, a 23km elevated Metro rail project linking Hinjawadi's IT hub to Shivajinagar's central business district, epitomizes a successful PPP initiative awarded by PMRDA to a consortium, including PITCMRL, poised to enhance Pune's transportation landscape.

ET