Hitachi wins a Metro Rail's Phase II signalling contract

18 Aug 2022 CW Team

According to Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. (CMRL) officials, the financial bids were opened a few days ago, and Hitachi was the lowest bidder. Nippon Signal was the only other company that had bid on the project, which had a cost of around Rs. 16 billion. “There are some procedures and evaluations to be done before formally awarding the contract. Most importantly, there is a project management committee which has to approve it only after which the contract can be issued,” an official said.

According to officials, the contractor should deliver the software months in advance so that trials can begin because the first stretch between Poonamallee and Power House might be opened by the end of 2025 or the beginning of 2026.

In Phase II, Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. plans to run driverless trains, for which a reliable signaling system is crucial as it regulates many functions, including announcements in stations and trains and other important aspects of train operations, the officials said. Phase II of the project set to employ a different signaling system than Phase I.

In contrast to the distance-to-go signaling system that CMRL installed for the Phase I project, it will deploy the communications-based train control signaling system in Phase II, which officials claim is a better and more accurate system. As a result, the Phase I project's trains will not operate in Phase II. Commuters will have to depart, walk a short distance, and then board the train wherever there are interchange stations, such as Alandur, Thirumangalam, CMBT, or KMC.

See also: CMRL awards Rs 9.47-bn contract for 26 driverless train sets Chennai Metro Phase 2 project gets new casting yard

One of the largest contracts in Chennai Metro Rail Ltd.'s Phase II project, for designing and developing signaling software were awarded to Hitachi Rail Signalling and Transportation Systems India Pvt. Ltd. According to Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. (CMRL) officials, the financial bids were opened a few days ago, and Hitachi was the lowest bidder. Nippon Signal was the only other company that had bid on the project, which had a cost of around Rs. 16 billion. “There are some procedures and evaluations to be done before formally awarding the contract. Most importantly, there is a project management committee which has to approve it only after which the contract can be issued,” an official said. According to officials, the contractor should deliver the software months in advance so that trials can begin because the first stretch between Poonamallee and Power House might be opened by the end of 2025 or the beginning of 2026. In Phase II, Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. plans to run driverless trains, for which a reliable signaling system is crucial as it regulates many functions, including announcements in stations and trains and other important aspects of train operations, the officials said. Phase II of the project set to employ a different signaling system than Phase I. In contrast to the distance-to-go signaling system that CMRL installed for the Phase I project, it will deploy the communications-based train control signaling system in Phase II, which officials claim is a better and more accurate system. As a result, the Phase I project's trains will not operate in Phase II. Commuters will have to depart, walk a short distance, and then board the train wherever there are interchange stations, such as Alandur, Thirumangalam, CMBT, or KMC. See also: CMRL awards Rs 9.47-bn contract for 26 driverless train sets Chennai Metro Phase 2 project gets new casting yardSee also:CMRL awards Rs 9.47-bn contract for 26 driverless train setsChennai Metro Phase 2 project gets new casting yard

Infrastructure Transport

17 Oct 2025

Sonowal Unveils Eight Projects at NMPA’s Golden Jubilee

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated the Curtain Raiser Ceremony of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) at Bharat Mandapam. To commemorate the milestone, he unveiled eight major maritime infrastructure projects designed to strengthen India’s port network, enhance logistics performance, and promote sustainability. These include a modern cruise terminal, new covered storage facilities, a 150-bed multi-speciality hospital, expanded truck terminals, and improved port access infrastructure aimed at enhancing..

Infrastructure Energy

17 Oct 2025

India To Boost US LPG Imports, Cut Middle East Reliance

India is planning to reduce imports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from the Middle East as state-owned refiners prepare to ramp up purchases from the United States, according to sources familiar with the matter. The move aligns with New Delhi’s efforts to expand energy cooperation and secure a broader trade deal with Washington. State refiners have already notified their traditional LPG suppliers in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar of the potential reduction in imports. Although the exact size of the supply cut was not disclosed, earlier reports suggested that Indi..

Infrastructure Energy

17 Oct 2025

UK Sanctions Nayara Energy in Crackdown on Russian Oil

The United Kingdom has announced fresh sanctions on 90 entities, including Indian refiner Nayara Energy Limited, in its latest bid to curb Russian oil revenues and weaken President Vladimir Putin’s war funding. The sanctions, unveiled jointly by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the UK Treasury, aim to disrupt networks supporting Moscow’s crude exports amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. According to the FCDO, the new restrictions are intended to “strike at the heart of Putin’s war funding” by targeting firms and assets that enable Russia’s energy trade. “..