“With innovative features like regenerative braking used in coaches, smart lighting, smart air-conditioning, use of natural light and captive solar energy generation for the depot, we will save substantial precious energy,” highlights Ashwini Bhide, IAS, MD, Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation in an exclusive conversation with Vikas Nag of APAC News Network & CXO News.
Give an overview of Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRC).
The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL), is a joint venture of the Government of India and the Government of Maharashtra. MMRC is executing Mumbai Metro Line 3 (Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ) which is the first and only fully underground metro proposed in the city. MMRC is also implementing metro line 11 which is in the DPR stage and the south extension of line 3 till Navy Nagar is also under consideration.
Metro-3 which is a 33.5 km long corridor including 27 stations, is a key project to improve and facilitate transportation in the city of opportunities. Once operational Metro-3 will cater to 17 lakh passengers daily with an unfailing frequency of 3-4 minutes, ferrying approximately 2500 passengers at a time.
Can you discuss the challenges and advantages of constructing the Mumbai Metro Line-3 as an underground stretch, connecting the busiest and congested regions in Mumbai?
Metro line 3, with state-of-the-art technology, is both technically and administratively a very challenging project. To carry out such a project in a densely populated city like Mumbai is a herculean task. Challenges encountered during the construction were varied and complex which included the acquisition of lands for construction activities, tunneling below heritage structures, shifting of utilities, rehabilitation of PAPs, tunneling beneath a water body, etc. The advantage of constructing Line-3 as an underground stretch is that it can reach and connect the busiest and congested regions in Mumbai without overcrowding the skyline of the city and without taking up space on-road.
For the construction of this corridor, 17 Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) were deployed. It’s for the first time in India that a project employed 17 TBMs
simultaneously. Entire tunneling has been done in rocky strata mainly made of Basalt, Breccia, and Tuff. Various challenges faced in the construction of metro-3 include tunneling in complicated geology and below old, dilapidated buildings around congested neighborhoods and in close vicinity of heritage buildings. Also, certain limits for vibrations must be maintained and continuously monitored while tunneling to ensure the safety of such buildings in the vicinity of the station area surrounded by historical structures. The most daunting task was tunneling beneath the Mithi river. However, the teams of experts and engineers have surmounted such challenges by using the latest technical know-how and engineering expertise.
What innovative measures or technologies is MMRCL implementing to enhance the safety and efficiency of the metro system for commuters?
DMRC will be responsible for the maintenance and operation of Metro line 3. Operations of Metro Line 3 have not yet begun. Phase 1 of the Aqua line is expected to commence in a few months and phase 2 will be launched after six months. During the construction stage of the project, MMRC has given special attention to adhering to all the safety guidelines. Regular safety-related training was provided to the workers and site engineers to ensure zero accidents. Once it is operational MMRC will continue to maintain and follow all the safety guidelines. Moreover, we have installed CCTV for safety and surveillance, full-length Platform Screen Doors (PSD) which will avoid trespassing on tracks, and other safety features.
Mumbai Metro line-3 will offer Fully air-conditioned, ergonomically designed coaches for the utmost commuter comfort. Closed doors for coaches and full-length platform screen doors for additional safety. 75% of motorization will help to improve the trains’ running performance. Regenerative braking will result in saving about 30% of electric energy and will also reduce wear and tear of wheels, brake blocks, etc. Adoption of a higher axle load of 17 tons per axle will increase the passenger carrying capacity of eight cars a train. The adoption of stainless-steel material for car bodies having good corrosive resistance properties would sustain Metro cars throughout their lifespan of 35 years.
On-board Train Control Management System (TCMS) provided for error-free and high-speed data transmission between trains to the operation control center. Smart LED lighting systems with automatic light control features will reduce energy consumption. Adoption of roof-mounted Air Conditioning with a
Variable Voltage Variable Frequency (VVVF) scheme will result in 4-5% energy saving. An automatic control system for CO2 and Humidity inbuilt with an air-conditioning system of Metro cars will result in better passenger comfort in all climate conditions.
Sustainability and environmental impact are important considerations for urban transport projects. Can you share some of MMRCL’s initiatives for the Mumbai metro system in a related green and clean environment?
Metro itself is a green mode of transit and has ample benefits. MMRC has tried to educate the citizens regarding the benefits of metro and public transport. To gain the consensus of the public we have created many campaigns on social media explaining and stating the facts and figures. MMRC has always followed all the guidelines and government directives regarding environmental issues and concerns. We also strictly follow the pollution norms as directed by the concerned authorities.
Once metro line 3 is fully operational Vehicular traffic will be reduced by about 35% effecting savings in petrol consumption to the tune of 2.5 lakh litres every day. Private vehicles going off the road will also help in bringing down the level of air and noise pollution in the city. By 2031 an estimated 5.54 lakh vehicles will go off the road due to Metro-3. With innovative features like regenerative braking used in coaches, smart lighting, smart air-conditioning, use of natural light, and captive solar energy generation for the depot, we will save substantial precious energy.
How is MMRCL collaborating with other government agencies and private entities to integrate the metro system with other modes of public transportation and improve overall connectivity in Mumbai?
Metro 3 will provide an interchange facility at CSMT, Churchgate, Mumbai Central stations of the suburban railway and at Mahalaxmi with monorail, at Marol Naka and BKC station with metro 1 and 2B. It will also offer interchange at both terminals of the airport. MMRC is coordinating with respective agencies for a smooth interchange facility. Also, provisions for interchange with private entities will be made in the future.
As a policy maker, what are your thoughts on transforming urban mobility by leveraging innovation?
Mumbai Metro Line 3 has many firsts to its credit, which include the installation of High attention low vibration system in track to ensure the safety of heritage buildings, installation of the tallest escalators at Airport station, deploying 17 (TBMs) at a time for tunneling, accomplishing tunneling beneath Mithi river, Under the Make in India initiative, all 248 coaches of Aqualine i.e. 31 trains are manufactured at Sricity, Andhra Pradesh in India and so on. Metro 3 will play a crucial role in improving the traffic and transport scenario in Mumbai. It will decongest and connect the unconnected parts of the city. Once operational MMRC will strive to provide the best transportation experience for Mumbaikars.
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