Partners in transforming India’s urban transportation
India's two newest metro projects in Bengaluru and Kochi are a testimony to ABB’s long-term commitment to help modernize the nation.
India is experiencing an unprecedented transition from rural to urban living. Its urban population increased from 222 million in 1990, to 410 million in 2014 and is forecast to increase to 814 million by 2050, according to a United Nations report. The pace of urbanization has been so rapid Delhi and Mumbai are now the 2nd and 6th most populous cities in the world.
Clearly this rapid increase in the country’s urban population has put significant pressure on its existing urban infrastructure, particularly with transportation. Indian cities face severe traffic congestion. Growing traffic and limited road space have reduced peak-hour speeds to 5 to 10 kms per hour in the central areas of many major Indian cities.
Modern metro lines can be the solution in the long term for many of these major Indian cities. ABB has been closely involved over the past almost 20 years to transform the country’s intra-city metro transportation systems — each of the six metro lines developed in the country’s largest cities since 1984 are operating with innovative ABB technologies, which include a vast range of electrification and automation solutions to supply wayside power as well as on-board equipment for the trains.
While driving or taking an auto-rickshaw or a cab or even walking can be a tedious experience with precious time lost to heavy traffic, traveling by Indian metros brings an entirely different experience. Stations are spotless and modern. Sleek on the outside, comfortable and cool on the inside, the metro train rides are smooth, quiet, on time and efficient. ABB power and electrification technology helps bring reliable and sustainable service for millions of passengers in Dehli, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Lucknow, and Jaipur.
The country’s two newest metro projects to be inaugurated this weekend in Bengaluru and Kochi are a testimony to ABB’s long term commitment to India to modernize the nation’s transportation sector. Using the latest ABB technology made in India – from power supplies to SCADA system used to monitor and control the network – supports ABB’s deep local manufacturing footprint. Enhancing the ease of traveling for the citizens of these cities is another step forward as India moves towards its target of building smarter and more inclusive cities.
The launch of the 12km Sampige Road-Yelachenahalli stretch on the Bengaluru Metro’s Green line (north-south corridor) will complete the entire 42km Phase I network and enable commuters to switch between the north-south and east-west corridors interchange. The new 13km long Kochi metro, positioned as a “green and sustainable” project is the country’s first tier 2 city to develop a metro.
India is well on its way to create a world-class metro system as an integral part of the infrastructure development in the country. ABB is proud to be involved in this new chapter of sustainable urban mobility.