Alstom Leads India’s Rail Revolution with Inaugural Semi-High-Speed Regional Rail Service
A new chapter in India’s rail history was penned today as Alstom India celebrated the inauguration of the RAPIDX, named NAMO BHARAT TRAIN, a cutting-edge semi-high-speed regional rail service. The rolling stock and signaling solutions for this landmark project were exclusively provided by Alstom India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other government dignitaries, flagged off India’s first semi-high-speed regional rail service, marking a significant milestone in India’s journey toward efficient and rapid transportation.
The Debut of ETCS Level 3 Hybrid Technology
The inaugural phase of the project covers the Duhai-Sahibabad section, stretching across 17 kilometers of the Delhi-Meerut corridor. This launch represents the global debut of the Level 3 European Train Control System (ETCS), a sophisticated signaling technology that not only enhances safety but also streamlines operations, reducing wait times and improving overall efficiency. The system is designed for future integration with Automatic Train Operation (ATO) over Long Term Evolution (LTE) for further network performance improvements.
Alstom India takes pride in its commitment to “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-reliant India) by overseeing the end-to-end engineering, manufacturing, and signaling work for the RAPIDX project. The company’s dedicated team of over 360 engineers and designers invested thousands of hours to deliver on phase-I commitments to the National Capital Region Transport Corporation Ltd. (NCRTC). Alstom aims to meet its delivery commitments by 2025.
Alstom’s Remarkable Achievements
Olivier Loison, Managing Director of Alstom India, commented, “RAPIDX will be a first-of-its-kind experience for Indian commuters, featuring speed, advanced technology, and an enhanced passenger experience. This project also marks the world premiere of several new signaling technologies that will set new global benchmarks in the rail industry.”
The introduction of Alstom’s ETCS Level 3 signaling is a significant stride towards modernization and improved efficiencies in India’s rail sector. The technology is built to ensure utmost passenger safety, interoperability across rail corridors, and reduced waiting times. By introducing the ETCS signaling system, Alstom enables trains to run at closely spaced intervals with a high level of safety.
A Make in India Marvel
Designed at Alstom’s engineering center in Hyderabad and manufactured in Savli, Gujarat, the RAPIDX trains align perfectly with the “Make in India” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-reliant India) initiatives of the Indian government. The rolling stock is based on Alstom’s commuter train family, featuring energy-saving technologies, an eco-friendly design, and significant efficiency improvements.
These trains promise outstanding ergonomics, safety, comfort, low life cycle costs, high recyclability, and energy-saving features. By connecting suburban areas with the economic heart of the region, they offer a sustainable choice to reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, and fuel consumption, ultimately improving the quality of life for millions of citizens.
Alstom’s commitment to the RAPIDX project extends beyond design and manufacturing to encompass comprehensive maintenance services for 15 years. The project aims to ease traffic congestion in the national capital and connect satellite towns with faster commute options, complementing the rapid growth of India’s metro network since the inauguration of the first section in 2002.
The RAPIDX project, inspired by Delhi’s iconic Lotus Temple, offers a revolutionary approach to commuter and inter-regional rail transport in India, ushering in a new era of efficient and sustainable travel.
