ABB’s Tech in Kochi, Bengaluru Metros Provides Safe and Convenient Commute to Millions of Passengers

ABB is providing the technology for reliable power supply and distribution in India’s newest metro being inaugurated in Kochi on June 17. The 13km long Kochi metro stretch has a wide range of ABB solutions with environment friendly features, optimizing space and ensuring safety of people and equipment. The north-south corridor of Bengaluru metro, also being inaugurated on the same day, is the part of the second longest metro network in the country after New Delhi. ABB has provided turnkey solutions for this network from electrification to future-ready remote monitoring system for trains of the network. Globally used third rail DC traction technology, which enhances efficiency and reliability in the longer run has also been deployed in this project by ABB.

ABB has been the partner of choice to transform intra-city metro transportation system in the country. These metro systems in some of India’s most densely populated cities utilize ABB technology to transport millions of passengers safely every day. ABB technology made in India has been a part of all the six currently operational metro projects. Such networks are key to sustainable urban mass mobility in Indian cities, where about 40 percent of the Indian population is projected to reside by 2030.

“These metro projects are a testimony to ABB’s long term commitment to the country.  With the benefits of the latest global technology made in India, these would serve to modernize the nation’s infrastructure and transportation sector. Enhancing ease of travelling for Bengaluru and Kochi citizens, these networks will assume greater importance as India marches towards its target of building smarter and more inclusive cities,” said Sanjeev Sharma, Managing Director, ABB India. “We wish to thank our valued partners and customers for their continued support, which is a reflection of the quality and reliability of ABB products. Transportation or mobility solutions where ABB has a century of experience, have been a focus area as part of ABB’s next level strategy. We have been associated with most of the metro projects across India starting with the first one decades ago and our scope has only expanded,” he added.

Kochi, one of the 100 smart cities assigned by the government is the first tier 2 city to receive a metro project in the country. The ABB solutions include medium and low voltage protection and control systems. Also includes switchgears, dry-type transformers for power supply and distribution to the stations, coaches and modular distribution switchgear panels for lighting requirements. ABB’s world-class vacuum breaker technology for air insulated switchgears will provide power reliability while enhancing equipment and personnel safety and ease of maintenance. The gas insulated ones have optimized the substation footprint thus saving precious land in the metro project. ABB dry type transformers installed at the specially designed metro stations, have a high level of safety and reliability, ensuring a safe commute for passengers.

The north-south corridor of Bengaluru metro is a continuation of the extensive work done for other stretches of the same network. ABB was key to implementing the third rail technology for Bengaluru metro and provided all the traction power requirement and substation equipment. The remote monitoring SCADA system to ensure network eficiency and pre-detect downtime was also executed. This stretch also contained an underground section for ~8km in the busiest commercial area of the city. A testament to decades of project management skills - the work was done only during the night including movement of heavy equipment and lowering them to a depth of 40 to 60 feet without any safety issues was a key achievement. Underground 33kV cabling without proper lighting, ventilation and communication done only through only walkie talkies was completed and delivered on time without any incident.

ABB has provided an extensive array of products and systems for Indian metros for wayside power and onboard requirement. These include traction, receiving and auxiliary substations with compact gas- and air-insulated switchgear, modular distribution switchgear, efficient and low noise level traction transformers, dry type auxiliary and rectifier transformers, motors, overhead electrification, integrated building and asset management solutions and SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) systems. These help not only in improved performance but also cost efficiency.