Alstom commenced commercial operations on the balance stretch of the Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor and on the Meerut Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS), advancing the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut network. The inauguration covered New Ashok Nagar to Sarai Kale Khan, a five point five km section, and Meerut South to Modipuram, a 21 km section, together with the Meerut Metro section of 21 km. Meerut Metro will operate with the European Train Control System (ETCS) Hybrid Level three over Long-Term Evolution (LTE) four G signalling, a first for an urban metro. The trains and signalling solutions were India made by Alstom.

The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) led the project and the works are expected to improve urban mobility across the region and intra-city travel in Meerut. Meerut Metro is described as India’s fastest urban metro with a design speed of 135 kmph and a maximum operational speed of 120 kmph. Alstom’s managing director indicated that the opening of the corridor and commencement of revenue services will unlock inter and intra city growth opportunities and that Alstom will support NCRTC in delivery.

Design and engineering were conducted at Alstom’s Hyderabad engineering centre with manufacture at Savli and propulsion and electrical systems produced at Maneja in Gujarat, supporting Make-in-India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat aims. The trains are reported to be 100 per cent made in India and are part of Alstom’s Adessia commuter family, offering luggage racks, information screens, USB sockets, wheelchair spaces and stretcher provision. Emergency communication capabilities are integrated and the cars are stated to comply with international safety standards.

Under the 2020 contract Alstom was to deliver 180 RRTS train cars in 30 trainsets and 30 MRTS train cars in 10 trainsets, supply signalling and telecommunications including platform screen doors and LTE radio, and provide maintenance for 15 years. The Meerut Metro Line spans 21 km with 12 stations and four stations will integrate with the Delhi-Meerut RRTS to enhance connectivity. The company presented the fleet as a sustainable choice to reduce congestion, air pollution and fuel consumption.