Bangalore Metro Pink & Blue Lines’ Train Design Unveiled as BEML Begins Production
The first look of Bangalore Metro’s new 5RS-DM train-sets is out! BEML on Saturday formally started manufacturing 318 new coaches (53 trains) for the 73.92 km Bangalore Metro Phase 2, 18.23 km Phase 2A and 37 km Phase 2B projects.
The event to manufacture the new rolling stock’s prototype train was held at BEML’s local Bengaluru facility in CV Raman Nagar and was attended by officials from the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL).
53 trains of 6-coaches each will be deployed in 6-car formations across 2 lines: 21 km Pink Line (Reach 6) and 56 km Blue Line (ORR Line & Airport Line).
BMRCL had awarded BEML with rolling stock contract 5RS-DM’s Rs. 3177 crore contract exactly a year ago in August 2023. A history of its bidding timeline can be viewed here.
The new trains’ procurement is being funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with whom the Government of India signed a Rs. 3,717 crore loan agreement in March 2021 to procure critical systems such as rolling stock, CBTC signaling and platform screen doors.
Here’s a breakdown of how the new coaches are intended to be distributed, as shared in March 2021 when BMRCL was scouting for a General Consultant. This is of course subject to change by the time operations begin.
| Line | Coaches |
| Phase 2: Pink Line (Kalena Agrahara – Nagawara, 21.386 km) | 96 (16 x 6) |
| Phase 2A: Blue Line (Silk Board – KR Puram, 18.2 km) | 96 (16 x 6) |
| Phase 2B: Blue Line (KR Puram – Airport, 37 km) | 126 (21 x 6) |
Bengaluru’s new lightweight train-sets will be operated in formations of DMC + TC + TC + TC + TC + DMC where DMC = Driving Motor Car and TC = Trailer Car. They will have a maximum design speed of 95 kmph and operational speed of 85 kmph.
With Alstom’s CBTC signaling and train-control solution from Package 10 S&T-DM, the trains will be capable of running “driverless” on GoA4 (grade of automation 4) for Unattended Train Operations (UTO)
Per BEML’s press release, the new trains have been “designed and developed by BEML’s in-house engineering teams in Bangalore. The trainsets will be constructed using high-tensile Austenitic stainless steel, ensuring durability, safety and passenger comfort. Each Metro car would be equipped with two roof-mounted Saloon Air Conditioners to provide effective air conditioning, ensuring passenger comfort.
The trains will also feature an IP-based Passenger Announcement (PA) and Passenger Information System (PIS), along with a Passenger Saloon Surveillance System (PSSS) to provide real-time station information. The system will include an LCD-based Dynamic Route Map display.
For passenger safety, the trains will be equipped with electrically driven automatic doors synchronized with Platform Screen Doors. Interior features include aesthetically appealing designs with FRP panels, stainless steel grab poles, and grab rails with strap hangers. Ergonomic stainless-steel seats, designed with lumbar support, will ensure greater comfort for sitting passengers.“
With production activities underway, we should see the first prototype train train rolling out of BEML’s plant around Q2 2025.
Update: Per an industry connection, propulsion equipment from BEML’s partner Mitsubishi (MELCO) is supposed to start arriving by October 2025, so the first train will roll-out only in Q4 2025. If that’s indeed the case, then the Pink Line’s opening will be further delayed into mid-2026 possibly even late-2026, similar to what the Yellow Line is currently experiencing, due to the unavailability of trains.
As shared in my prior posts, Phase 2 project’s 21.38 km Pink Line (Kalena Agrahara – Nagawara) is in the most advance stage of construction among the 2 lines, so I reckon Kothanur Depot will be the recipient of the first train-set.
Bangalore’s 5RS-DM contract is one of the largest metro rolling stock contracts in recent times, just a little larger than Delhi Metro’s 312 coach RS-17 contract for Phase 4 which was awarded to Alstom in October 2022. The largest ongoing contract is for Mumbai Metro Line 2 & 7’s 576 coaches which BEML is currently fulfilling.
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– TMRG
Hi TMRG
Any idea on the arrival of yellow line train sets from crrc titagarh plant?
Yellow line metro has already arrived and in testing phase has begun.
That is only prototype train from chaina
First train has arrived in Feb, on Basant Panchmi day, and us undergoing rigorous trials. Next few rakes are scheduled to arrive since this month (Sep).
Looks a lot like Delhi Metro phase 3 trains?
Yeah because those trains were also make by beml since hyundai doesn’t have a plant in india.
so the IP is still with Rotem and this fall under license manufacturing? or has BEML plagiarized the design
It’s transfer of technology
Doesn’t it looks slightly similar to RS 10 Hyundai Rotem Trains of Delhi Metro?
Also any idea, when is First Alstom Train arriving at DMRC under RS 17 Phase 4 contract? The development begin in February I guess…
Because delhi metro coaches are manufactured in Beml facility In Bengaluru. As Rotem is a joint venture between Beml In India.
How will the airport metro be different from others? Will the metro stations have bigger luggage scanners? Dedicated spaces on the train for keeping larger luggages?
Yes, I expect the afc gates to be wider to allow for luggage.
As is stated above, metros will have luggage racks like there are on airport express in delhi to store bags.
What I don’t know is wether they will have traditions metro like seating or 2×2 like in delhi airport line.
Also, dmrc offers baggage checkin at some stations, the question is will bmrcl also do this?
If they will then they will need a special coach like delhi for that purpose as well
Yes, there are luggage racks in the airport line trains. Designed based on standard luggage dimensions of airlines.
Yes, you can directly checking your luggage once u get down at airport metro station. No need to carry through AFC gates at the airport.
And it’s definitely not similar to RS10, as RS10 has front evacuation and bmrcl is side evacuation.
Airport metro station is going to be the most modern metro stations in the country once gets operational. Bangalore airport authority has very beautifully designed the airport station and it’s premises which is under construction. .ppl will love to spend a quality time over there during the transition period.
It resembles some metro stock from Bangkok
Will pink line be opened in 2 phases, considering most of the elevated section is completed..
That would depend on the arrival of train sets from BEML. If, as mentioned in the update, they arrive in Q4 2025, then the chances that the remaining underground work will be completed is high.
We are very proud of BEML for this achievement. Let’s hope it will get more & more such bulk orders from different states. The company must ensure timely supply of the rolling stocks to gain the confidence of all shareholders. ALL THE BEST.
Train formation is DMC-TC-MC-MC-TC-DMC, U mentioned wrong DMC-TC-TC-TC-TC-DMC(Its wrong)
The new train designs for the Bangalore Metro Pink and Blue Lines reflect a forward-thinking approach to urban mobility. Congratulations to BEML on commencing production; this initiative will undoubtedly contribute to a more efficient and sustainable transportation network