Chennai Metro hires consultant for train procurement, station upgrades
- CMRL has engaged a consultant for train procurement and station upgrades in phase 1.
- The project aims to boost capacity and modernise existing infrastructure.
- No cost or timeline has been officially disclosed yet.
Consultant appointed for phase 1 modernisation
Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has roped in a consultant to oversee the procurement of new trains and the upgrade of stations on its phase 1 network. The move is part of a broader push to improve capacity and passenger experience on the existing lines.
The consultant will handle technical specifications, vendor evaluation, and contract management for the train procurement. Station upgrades will focus on better signage, improved accessibility, and enhanced crowd management facilities.
Why the upgrade now
Phase 1 of the Chennai Metro, which includes the Blue Line (Chennai Central to St. Thomas Mount) and the Green Line (Chennai Central to Airport), opened in stages between 2015 and 2019. Daily ridership has grown steadily, and the network now handles over 2 lakh passengers on weekdays.
Officials say the existing fleet of 42 trains is reaching capacity during peak hours. The new trains are expected to reduce headway and ease crowding. Station upgrades are meant to handle the increased footfall more efficiently.
Scope of work
The consultant will prepare tender documents, evaluate bids, and supervise delivery and testing of the new rolling stock. For stations, the scope includes redesigning entry and exit points, upgrading ticket counters, and adding more escalators and lifts.
CMRL has not disclosed the number of trains to be procured or the total cost. The consultant's fee and the project timeline are also not public yet. Sources indicate that the procurement could take 24 to 30 months from the award of contract.
Funding and timeline
The modernisation work is expected to be funded through a mix of state government allocations and internal resources. CMRL is also exploring loans from multilateral agencies for the rolling stock purchase.
No official deadline has been set for completing the station upgrades. Phase 2 of the Chennai Metro, which is under construction, will add three new lines and over 100 km of track. The phase 1 upgrades are expected to complement the expansion.
What to watch: CMRL is likely to release a detailed tender for the train procurement in the next few months. The consultant's report will shape the technical specifications and cost estimates for the new fleet.