Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) has awarded the first major civil contract for the proposed east-west corridor of the Lucknow Metro. The contract for constructing the corridor’s Metro depot at Vasantkunj has been given to GHV (India) Private Limited at a cost exceeding Rs 127 crore.
Competitive Bidding Process
The contract was finalized through an open and competitive bidding process in which five firms participated. The estimated project cost was around Rs 150 crore. Following technical and financial evaluation of bids, GHV (India) emerged as the successful bidder.
Role of the Depot
The depot will serve as the operational backbone of the upcoming east-west corridor, providing facilities for maintenance, inspection, and stabling of metro trains. “It is being planned as a modern, technology-driven maintenance hub on the lines of Lucknow Metro’s existing Transport Nagar Depot, which currently supports operations on the North-South Corridor,” said a spokesperson of UPMRC.
Advanced Maintenance Systems
The Vasantkunj depot will be equipped with a range of specialized maintenance systems, including:
- A pit wheel lathe machine for maintaining train wheel profiles
- Fully automatic synchronized pit jack machines and mobile jack machines for lifting coaches during maintenance
- Bogie turntables for shifting bogies between tracks
- Automatic train washing plants
- Electric bogie shunters and re-railing and rescue vehicles for handling technical emergencies
Sustainable Features
UPMRC managing director Sushil Kumar said the depot will also incorporate several environmentally sustainable features. These include:
- A zero-discharge system to ensure no wastewater leaves the premises
- Separate pipelines for fresh and recycled water
- An integrated sewage treatment plant and effluent treatment plant for treatment and reuse of wastewater generated through daily operations and train maintenance
The facility will be supported by a comprehensive water management system comprising raw water tanks, domestic water storage, and dedicated fire water tanks to meet operational and emergency requirements.
