Mumbai Metro Aqua Line: Key features of new underground services

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the new Mumbai Metro Aqua Line by flagging off the inaugural metro trainset from Aarey JVLR stationThe first phase of Mumbai Metrorsquos Aqua Line with Metropolis metro trainsets and signalling solutions supplied by Alstom India will commence commercial service soon connecting the Bandra Kurla Complex business district to Aarey JVLRRunning on 335 km Mumbai Metrorsquos Aqua Line is one of the longest underground continuous metro stretches in India and first underground metro of Mumbai citySpeaking on the occasion Olivier Loison Managing Director Alstom India said ldquoThe Alstom built full stack mobility solutions for the Mumbai Aqua Line is packed with some of the most sophisticated engineering and technology solutions for Mumbairsquos first underground metro With our 10037 madeinIndia driverless trains we are demonstrating that innovation and efficiency can go handinhand Our longstanding partnership with MMRCL has enabled us to deliver a worldclass metro experience that promises to significantly ease the daily commute for millions of MumbaikarsrdquoAlstomrsquos engagement with Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited MMRCL for the Aqua Line includes manufacturing of 31 lightweight fully furnished modern metro trains of 8 cars each which is one of the biggest rolling stock contracts in the urban sector for the company in IndiaIt also includes signalling solutions comprising Driverless operation facilitated by the latest generation of CBTC communicationsbased train control technology Urbalis Forward which features GOA4 the highest grade of automationComputerbased interlocking Automatic train supervision Integrated Platform screen doors PSD Telecommunication systems as well as the Mechanical and Electrical supervisory control and data acquisition system MampE SCADABidirectional video communication between onboard passengers and the Operations Control Centre OCC during a passenger emergency alarmThe metro trainset design themed on Dynamic Fluidism takes inspiration from the cityrsquos vibrant energy and its mix of global architectural styles The metro trains prioritise high interior density layout to maximise space as well as accessibility and comfort for differently abled passengers offering dedicated wheelchair space in every carEach trainset will be able to accommodate at least 3000 passengers on a single trip thereby impacting the lives of over more than 16 million commuters The Mumbai Metro Aqua Line Metropolis trainsets are equipped with advanced safety features including face recognition security CCTV cameras smoke detectors emergency intercoms and fire extinguishers The trainsets also feature clear signage three rows of grab rails grab handles and support poles along with designated space for passengers carrying luggageLarge doors allow for quick passenger evacuation during emergencies For the first time in India the metro cars in India have 75 per cent motorisation enabling quick acceleration and deceleration thereby bringing about greater efficiency in operationsThe trainsets are also equipped with regenerative braking system significantly reducing carbon emissions These trains are also estimated to reduce 3537 of overall traffic and air and noise pollution They are 9637 recyclable and 99 per cent recoverable with no prohibited substances usedUnder the lsquoMake in Indiarsquo initiative the trains have been designed and developed at Alstomrsquos engineering centre in Bangalore Karnataka and are currently being manufactured at its stateoftheart rolling stock manufacturing unit at Sri City Andhra Pradesh So far 24 trainsets have been delivered to MMRCL