BEML bags rolling stock order from Bengaluru Metro

BEML (Bharat Earth Movers Limited) announced on August 7 that it has been awarded a significant rolling stock contract by Bangalore Rail Corporation, with a total value of Rs 3,177 crore.Having received the Letter of Acceptance from Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL), BEML is now tasked with supplying the rolling stock for contract 5RS-DM, which holds a value of Rs 3,177 crore. In a competitive bid process concluded in May 2023, BEML emerged as the preferred choice for providing 318 coaches essential for the expansion of Bengaluru Metro's Phase 2, Phase 2A, and Phase 2B lines. However, the issuance of the Letter of Acceptance by BMRCL to BEML was subject to some delay.Under the terms of this contract, BEML will also bear the responsibility of maintaining these coaches for a period of 15 years. Remarkably, this marks the first instance where BMRCL has incorporated a maintenance provision within a rolling stock tender. The distribution of the coaches is as follows: 126 coaches allocated for Phase 2B (Blue Line: 37 km route spanning KR Puram to Kempegowda International Airport), 96 coaches for the Blue Line (18.2 km route between Central Silk Board and KR Puram), and another 96 coaches designated for the Pink Line (21.3 km track from Kalena Agrahara to Nagawara). Anticipated timelines indicate that the Pink Line is projected to commence operations by 2025, while the Blue Line (ORR-KIA Metro corridor) is anticipated to be operational around 2025-2026.