In a significant boost to indigenous manufacturing and urban mobility, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the first 'Made in India' Metro train destined for Ahmedabad. The ceremony took place on Saturday at the manufacturing facility of Titagarh Rail Systems Limited located near Kolkata, West Bengal.
A Milestone for Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat
Chief Minister Patel hailed the event as a crucial step forward, stating that it provides strong impetus to the 'Make in India' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) initiatives. The train is part of an order for 10 indigenously manufactured metro trains placed by the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited (GMRCL) with the Kolkata-based company.
The newly inaugurated train is scheduled to be delivered to Ahmedabad within a few days, pending the completion of final tests and necessary certifications. The remaining nine trains from the order will be delivered in a phased manner over the next five to six months.
Meeting Ahmedabad's Growing Transport Demand
This infusion of new rolling stock is aimed at addressing the rapidly increasing demand on the Ahmedabad Metro network. Currently, the system serves over 1.6 lakh (160,000) passengers daily, with annual ridership growth reported at an impressive 30-40 percent.
A government statement clarified that these new trains will cater to the additional requirements expected upon the completion of the 21-kilometer stretch of Phase-2 of the Ahmedabad Metro, with the remaining sections slated to become operational soon. The move is expected to make public transportation in the city significantly smoother and more efficient.
Advanced Safety and Automation Features
The newly manufactured metro train boasts best-in-class safety specifications. It is equipped with advanced fire safety and other critical safety features. Notably, the train is designed to operate as a fully automated, driverless train under Grade of Automation 4 (GOA4), representing cutting-edge technology in urban rail transit.
The inauguration event was attended by key officials including Dr. Hasmukh Adhia, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister; S S Rathore, Advisor to the CM and Managing Director of GMRCL; and Umesh Chaudhary, Managing Director of Titagarh Rail Systems.
Expanding Indigenous Manufacturing Footprint
Titagarh Rail Systems is establishing itself as a major player in India's rail manufacturing sector. The company is also involved in the production of Next Generation Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains and metro trains for several other Indian cities, including Pune, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Surat.
Looking ahead, Chief Minister Patel, in a post on social media platform X, indicated that metro rail services are set to be extended to Surat in the coming days, signaling a broader expansion of modern urban transit infrastructure in Gujarat.
The delivery and deployment of these 'Made in India' trains mark a pivotal moment, reducing dependency on imports and strengthening the domestic supply chain for critical urban infrastructure, while simultaneously enhancing connectivity for the citizens of Ahmedabad.
