The East-West Metro, also known as Kolkata’s Line 2 or the Green Line, is set to bolster its fleet with 11 more advanced rakes within the next two years, as revealed by BEML CMD Shantanu Roy in an exclusive interview with TOI on Thursday.
Presently, the East-West Metro operates with 14 cutting-edge rakes manufactured by BEML. The Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC), the corridor’s implementing agency, had previously ordered three additional rakes in December 2021, scheduled to arrive between June and August this year.
The initial agreement between KMRC and BEML was for 14 six-car rakes, all of which have been successfully delivered. Roy mentioned that the remaining three rakes from the agreement are nearing completion, with essential propulsion system components expected from Japan shortly.
Recognizing the growing demand, Roy stated, “East-West Metro needs more rakes. KMRC is ready to order four more. Recently, we were in talks for another four. It’s undecided whether all eight will be ordered at one go. It depends on the flow of funds.”
With the addition of the three rakes from the second agreement, the East-West Metro’s fleet will expand to 17. Roy confirmed that eight more rakes are expected to be delivered within the next two years, bringing the total to 25.
BEML is also considering collaboration with ICF (Integral Coach Factory) for manufacturing rakes ordered for other Metro corridors in Kolkata. Roy explained, “Most Metro systems in India and abroad are transitioning to more efficient standard gauge. There’s a proposal for BEML to collaborate with ICF to help manufacture futuristic rakes.”
Regarding the challenges posed by the narrow tunnels built in the 1970s, Roy mentioned that new rakes are being tailored for the newer lines, with RVNL (Rail Vikas Nigam Limited) ordering 57. BEML aims to aggressively bid for supplying rakes to lines other than the East-West Metro for Kolkata.