Alstom has delivered the first two metro sets of Chennai’s future metro system to Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL). The train sets are the first ever to be manufactured in India 1 — Alstom’s new rolling-stock facility in Sricity, Andhra Pradesh. They are part of a 243 million euro order representing 42 Metropolis train sets to be delivered by 2015.

The stainless steel trains — comprising four cars each — will feature air-conditioned interiors and electrically operated automatic sliding doors; they will also be equipped with a regenerative braking system that ensures significant energy savings. The cars will operate through an overhead catenary system at speeds of up to 80kph. The new 280,000ft2 Sricity facility incorporates best practices from other Alstom factories across the world. Today, the site employs more than 150 people, and the plan is to increase this number to 200 soon.

Henri Poupart-Lafarge, president of Alstom Transport, said: “Metro projects are currently being implemented in seven Indian cities, representing a network of over 450km. By 2030, 40% of people will live in towns and cities; it is 30% today. Our new Sricity facility places Alstom in an excellent position to seize the opportunities offered by the country’s rapid urbanisation.”