India’s Big ‘Metro’ Dreams: Establishing Seamless Connectivity

India's urban infrastructure gained additional push with metro rail projects which certainly emerged as one of the finest innovations of Indian Urban transport sector. In the Union Budget of 2021, the Government of India strategically emphasized on infrastructure sector as the backbone of development of the economy by simply allocating INR 233,083 crore (US$ 32.02 billion) thus, enhancing the urban transport infrastructure. The government expanded the 'National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP)' to 7,400 projects, of which 217 projects worth INR 1.10 lakh crore (US$ 15.09 billion) were completed as of 2020. Writes Poulami Chakraborty of BW Businessworld

In May 2021, Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Nitin Gadkari stated that the government is giving utmost priority to infrastructure development and has set a target of road construction of worth Rs.15 lakh crore (US$ 206 billion) in the next two years.

The Ministry of Railways plans to monetise assets including Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors after commissioning, induction of 150 modern rakes through PPP, station redevelopment through PPP, railway land parcels, multifunctional complexes (MFC), railway colonies, hill railways and stadiums. Only recently, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) told Lok Sabha that 34 Metro Rail and Rapid Rail projects with a total length of 1230km is under implementation phase. The ministry further confirmed that it has also received proposal for additional 16 projects for a stretch of 638 kilometers in eight states and UTs including Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Maharashtra.
In its statement issued off late, the ministry further clarified that the Central government considers financial assistance for metro projects proposed by urban agglomerates on the basis of their extant policy, feasibility of the proposal and availability of resources amongst other several criteria. BW Businessworld investigated the progress and status of metro projects in top Indian cities to find about tech-innovation and implementation within metro projects, challenges and opportunities, budget allocation, financial model and others. Read on to explore.

Key Projects:
As we delved deeper into India's metro model and the ongoing progress in a few case cities, including Bengaluru in Karnataka, Nagpur and Navi Mumbai in Maharashtra and Jaipur in Rajasthan, it came into forefront each of these cities key projects involved for metro rail development in these cities. The massive metro project in Bengaluru under the aegis of Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited worth an approximate of INR 58,000 crores under Phase 1 and 2 & 2A and 2B has not only implemented pan city coverage for seamless connectivity but also has taken into account superior high-end technology adoption ensuring passenger safety and convenience.

Anjum ParvezBengaluru's Metro Rail project was envisaged in the year 2003 with a plan to expand its coverage across the city uniformly, to ensure seamless connectivity. The Phase-1 of Bangalore Metro Rail Project with 42.3 km and 40 stations of network was completed at a cost of Rs. 13,845 Cr. It has two corridors namely, East -West corridor called the Purple line of length 18.1 Kms with 17 Stations and North-South called Green line of length 24.1 Kms with 24 Stations and both these lines cross at Underground "Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Station - Majestic".  The Phase 1 of the project was opened for passenger services in stages from October 2011 to June 2017.
On the other hand the Phase-2 of Bangalore Metro Rail Project is for a length of 75.06 Kms with 61 stations is at an estimated cost of INR 30,695 crores and consists of four extension of the Phase 1.

Anjum Parvez, Managing Director of Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited further asserted, "The construction of other reaches is under progress and as on July 2021 the physical Progress is 57 %. As a part of the upcoming projects for Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation the project is bifurcated in Phase 2A and 2B."

On the other hand Jaipur is largely known for an attraction to tourists, and the Jaipur Metro Rail is a project intended to enhance connectivity and easy of commutation for both local citizens and tourists. Jaipur Metro too is developed in two phase, wherein the construction work on first corridor of 9 km length from Mansarovar to Chandpole (Phase-1A) was started in 2011 and line was commissioned for public carriage in June, 2015. Its extension from Chandpole upto Badi Chaupar (Phase-1B) was began in 2013 and line was opened for public in September, 2020.

Ajitabh Sharma, Chairman and Managing Director of Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation further revealed, "Detailed Project Report (DPR) for second corridor (Phase-2) from Sitapura to Ambabari (24 km) is ready and awaiting for further approval of the State Government. While on the other hand, the DPR for extension of first corridor (Phase-1C) from Badi Chaupar to Transport Nagar (3 kms) is also ready and awaiting for further approval of the State Government."

While the Nagpur Metro Rail Project is on the verge of completion and work on the Navi Mumbai project has started, a number of projects are in the pipeline waiting clearance of government agencies. While Nagpur Metro Rail Project Phase I is almost over, Phase II awaits sanction from the Union Government. Maha Metro exemplary record has ensured that it has been assigned with many important tasks Metro Neo Rail Project for Nashik, Broad Gauge Metro Project and preparing Detail Project Report (DPR) for Ring Metro Project at Thane. Following is the summary of the ongoing and upcoming projects.

Dr. Brijesh DixitDr. Brijesh Dixit, Managing Director, Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited asserted, " Metro project in Maharashtra is further segregated citywise, including projects of NAvi Mubai, Thane, Nashik, Nagpur and Pune. The total worth of the ongoing metro rail projects under various phases in Maharashtra is an approximate of INR 28,200 crores for a total stretch of 154.215 kms".He further added that City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), the agency in-charge of Navi Mumbai Metro project, has appointed Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha Metro) for running services on Line 1 of the project for a period of 10 years. Maha Metro is already executing the balance work of this line. "CIDCO in February 2021 had entered into an agreement with Maha Metro for completing the balance work of Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1. This line is from Belapur to Pendhar and consists of 11 stations, 11 km track, a depot for maintenance at Taloja and two traction sub-stations at Panchanand and Kharghar. Work on this line is going on at full swing and is expected to be complete in 2022", he added.

While Nagpur Metro has been able to create a lot of sensation for itself owing to it's then Smart City Project which was considered to be highly inclusive and sustainable, the metro rail project in Nagpur is of a stretch of 38.215Km, with a Project Cost of ? 8680 Cr. About 94.75 per cent of the physical progress of the project is completed and 94.28 per cent of the financial progress also.

Tech Innovation and Implementation:
Transportation or Connectivity has been one sector that has been evolving at a very fast rate when it comes to implementation of modern day's technology and innovation. While Bangalore Metro rail has been banking high on man-less operation for their future projects besides utilizing solar power, Metro Rail projects in Jaipur and Maharashtra Metro have been boasting of their strategic investment in High-end Civil engineering and projects of lifestyle utility based projects respectively.  

In BMRCL train, State-of-art 3-phase variable voltage and variable frequency-controlled traction system not only utilizes energy during braking but also provide high level passenger comfort by automatically controlling jerk during operation. Microprocessor based. Anjum Parvez, MD, Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited said: "Several modern technology are implemented or are under implementation in BMRCL project. These includes installation of Solar based Power systems of 1.5 MWp installed at 5 stations of newly commissioned R-4 extension section. A savings of INR 100.00 Lakhs per annum approximately is expected due to this with the present energy tariff. The Stations are designed to utilize the natural lighting during day time. LED based lights are installed at all stations."

Operation of Major Electrical Equipment and lighting are monitored and are operated through Building Management System. Invertor based VRV/VRF system for air conditioning at Elevated Stations & depots in Phase-2 have been installed. Implemented Variable Frequency Drives (VFD) for underground stations in Environmental Control System & Tunnel Ventilation System equipment. Adaptation of Platform Screen Doors in UG stations of Phase-2 to reduce Air Conditioning load from 900 T to 400 T per station and hence reducing the Electrical Power consumption. Modern Light weight stainless steel Car body with aesthetically pleasing interiors have been provided in BMRCL Rolling Stock. Improved braking characteristic of the train by extending constant torque zone.

On the other hand, Ajitabh Sharma of Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation asserted : "Mansarovar to Badi Chaupar corridor was built broadly on the lines and technologies adopted by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation on their lines, which have been proven in service. These included best practices in civil engineering construction for both elevated via ducts and underground tunnels. Special mention needs to be made regarding extreme care required during tunnelling work in the walled city area."

On the other hand Maha Metro has undertaken a number of steps and introduced a number of innovations while implementing the project. Some of the innovations have been introduced for the first time pan-India. Dixit confirmed, "Puzzle parking (fully automated system that enable horizontal and vertical movement of parking spots to park and retrieve cars) adopted at Futala. Spherical bearings having more life span, being used in special Railway Crossing bridges at Gaddigodam and Anand Talkies. Mass Spring System (MSS) Floating Track Slab at Zero Mile Station for Vibration Mitigation."

He further added on to say that the Zero Mile station is a Multi Storied Commercial Building. The building has multi level underground parking with a concourse level below the  Platform level. There is also planning for  Hotel rooms  and guest rooms at various floor levels above platform level.

As the track structure is passing through the building structure at Zero Mile station, vibrations generated from the train wheels rolling on the tracks are directly transmitted to the building structure. To mitigate the high levels of vibrations generated, the track structure at Zero Mile station has been specially designed as a Floating slab (30 mm above Station slab) supported on  176 Nos. Chrome alloyed Steel Spring system isolators. This can achieve vibration mitigation of about 25VdB.

Financing Model and Investment
While for Bengaluru, the Phase-1 & 2 of its metro projects, funding model is as per traditional funding pattern wherein approximately 29% is equity capital (@ 14.5% each from Government of India (GoI) & Government of Karnataka (GoK), Sub-debt of 11% approximately (for meeting share of central taxes @ 5.5% each from both GoI & GoK) and approximately 14% as sub-debt towards cost of land which is entirely to be borne by GoK. The remaining 46% is senior debt, to be raised by BMRCL through external borrowings and bonds. Of this 46%, about 35% comes from sovereign loans (loan agreements signed by GoI with Multilateral / Bilateral Development Banks & financial institutions)
Parvez further added to say: "In Phase-1, one of the stations was built under PPP model wherein the naming and advertisement rights were given to the developer and for one of the commercial establishment land is given on lease for a longer period. For Phase 2A & 2B, Innovative funding (through PPP model) and value capture financing has also been adopted as per Metro Rail Policy 2017."
He further added: "For the upcoming Phase 2A and 2B of the project, the Government of Karnataka sanctioned INR 5387.77 crore and Government of India sanctioned an amount of INR 1986.81 crores. Senior Debt of JICA and ADB worth INR 5960.42 crore is allotted for further completion of the project. Funding of INR 1453.10 crores being sanctioned from other Public Private Partnership (PPP). A total of INR 14,788 crore of funds are being sanctioned for the Phase 2A and 2B metro rail project in Bengaluru."


Under PPP for some stations only naming rights (prefixing or suffixing to the station names) are given and in other cases commercial space leasing, Advertising Space, 99 Years for walkway access are being given.  

While in Jaipur, the Metro Rail project is fully financed by State Government of Rajasthan (INR 2180 crore) apart from loan of INR 969 crore from Asian Development Bank. As of now there is no PPP element in operation on Jaipur Metro Rail project, asserted its MD, Ajitabh Sharma.

Conclusion

While several metro projects across the country are under implementation phase, a significant portion of them have been lying distressful conditions with flouting deadline and several cases of emerging  cash-strapped authorities. Though successful completion of these projects can ease out commutation issues, pollution control measures across country giving a breather to the environment however, the impact of the ongoing projects are severely grave and detrimental.