Mumbai gets first Make-in-India metro coach where you can even carry bicycles. See pics
• The metro coach was built by Bharat Earth Movers in Bengaluru
• The new metro coaches will enable the commuters to travel along with their bicycles, said Metropolitan commissioner RA Rajeev
MUMBAI : Mumbai has now got its first metro coach manufactured by state-run Bharat Earth Movers (BEML) under 'Make-in-India' initiative. The indigenous metro coach was built by BEML at its Bengaluru facility in 75 days. In a big boost to infrastructure in Mumbai, the government is pumping in over ₹1.2 lakh crore to build 14 metro corridors in the financial capital.
From 11 km today, the metro network of the city will increase to 325 km by 2023-24, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while inaugurating the first indigenously built metro coach in Mumbai.
Manufactured in BML's Bengaluru factory, the metro coaches will have the capacity to carry 300 passengers in each car. Equipped with CCTV surveillance for passenger safety, the metro train will operate on 25 kv AC traction. The new metro coaches will enable the commuters to travel along with their bicycles, explained Metropolitan commissioner RA Rajeev.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conducted bhoomipoojan for three new metro lines in Mumbai. The new corridors are the 9.2-km Gaimukh-Shivaji Chowk (Mira Road); the 12.8-km Wadala-Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus; and the 20.7-km Kalyan-Taloja corridor. These three new lines take the total number of metro lines to 14 across the Mumbai Metropolitan region.
PM Modi laid foundation for the 32-storey Metro Bhavan at the Aarey Colony. The metro headquarters will be the integrated operations and control centre for the proposed 14 metro lines in and around Mumbai.
Narendra Modi said that new metro lines, Metro Bhavan and new facilities at metro stations will give a new dimension to Mumbai and make life easier for Mumbaikars. Along with the faster transportation, the new metro projects in the financial capital will create an array of jobs for youngsters.
"Over 10,000 engineers and 40,000 skilled and unskilled workers will get job opportunities due to the metro projects, said Modi.