Alstom Cancels Mumbai Metro Line-4’s 234 Coach Contract
It’s now confirmed that Alstom Transport India has terminated its contract to design and supply 234 metro coaches for Mumbai Metro’s under construction 35.2 km Line-4 & 4A (Green Line) due to uncertainty over the line’s depot whose location hasn’t been finalized.
I first got wind of this from a follower in mid-February, and this development has been confirmed by an Alstom representative to Money Control:
Following signing of Letter of Acceptance (LoA) for Rolling Stock of Mumbai Line 4 in March 2021, there have been overall challenges in progressing with project execution due to delays on various fronts, including civil work. Alstom engaged with relevant stakeholders to find a possible resolution. After exhausting all avenues, the decision has been taken not to proceed with this contract.
Bombardier Transportation originally emerged as the lowest bidder for MMRDA’s Rolling Stock Package MRS2 in January 2021. The firm was acquired by Alstom with whom the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) signed a Rs 1853.28 crore contract in March 2021.
The line in eastern Mumbai aims to connect Wadala – Kasaravadavali – Gaimukh through 34 stations, and there’s been a noticeable slow-down in construction throughout its route primarily on civil packages owned by Reliance – Astaldi JV.
The line’s depot was planned on a 41 hectare land parcel at Mogharpada and its construction tender was cancelled in May 2021. Without a depot or a pre-organized storage facility funded by MMRDA, Alstom wouldn’t have been able to store these coaches – an issue currently being faced by them for Mumbai Metro Line-3’s rolling stock.
Alstom never revealed their train-set’s design which were going to be operated in 6 coach formations and be capable of “driverless” Unattended Train Operations (UTO) – see technical specifications here.
While this is a disappointing development, it’s totally understandable from a business perspective. What’s more disappointing to see all those gains made between 2014-2019 slowly getting eroded away due to decisions by the state government’s machinery.
Like all other metro lines in the city, there’s no indication of Line-4’s depot being finalized anytime soon, so we’re more than a year away from seeing its rolling stock re-tender getting published again. MMRDA can choose to launch it at anytime prior, but I doubt they’d see any participation.
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– TMRG
Ouch. Mumbai has trains but no depots, Bangalore has depots but no trains.
And neither of them have made their new lines operational. CRRC has made a sum total of zero progress with the rolling stock, and what bothers me is that BMRCL still hasn’t terminated the contract. Sure, we have the trains from the existing lines, but those are made for DTG signalling, so it’s anyone’s guess as to how they’ll be repurposed.
What a mockery mumbai metro has become … Thanks to the current state govt. India’s largest city is falling far behind in terms of metro connectivity.. which it needs the most. I wont be surprised if alstom does the same for line 3 rolling stock contract.
Need double engine govt, time to replace disfinctional govt which are against enviornment.
It’s never too late 24 is round the corner.
This is what happens, when politics of Governenance degenerates into undoing what is logically required.for Infra works of vital public use cannot be held hostage to a ruling family which is in confrontation with the earlier ruling party.Therefore what will happen to thousands of crores of investment made so far, just because the metro depot is yet to be finalized, leave alone the land reqd.When politicians are allowed to deside the design of a infra project based on political upmanship this is the outcome, and who has to take the hit of non performing investments, not the politicians, but the poor tax payer , and the millions of public denied the benefits.What a way to Govern the state???
Maharashtra Vikas Aghari is anything but “vikas”. And having a partner in Reliance for any metro line is known. In Delhi as well, Reliance screwed on the Airport express line, and by a twist of fate (call it politics), it is getting paid hefty sums of money after abandoning thr project mid-way. DMRC is paying through it’s nose – but actually we consumers are paying.
This is best example of worst use of tax payers money. The MVA Govt has no accountability. With least decision-making, low self esteem this Govt has shamelessly delayed such important projects. No comments on corruption part. This govt has it’s nail in coffin. Time is ticking
Leave all the work to private co.goverments job is to sit back&collect taxes .Raja Vapari toe
Praja bhikhari.