Hyderabad Metro update

In a major step towards executing the Hyderabad Metro Rail project, L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad Limited (LTMRHL) has entered into an agreement with two companies on signalling and train control and communication system. While the signalling and train control contract has been awarded to Thales Canada and Thales India, the communication system contract has been awarded to Thales Portugal and Thales India.
The Hyderabad metro rail would be the first in the country to run on Communication Based Train Control System (CBTC).
Hyderabad metro rail would be employing the CBTC system to enhance safety and increase the frequency of trains and the system would ensure that the driver is not dependent on the line side signals. In this technology, trains are controlled from the central control centre and the system also allows automatic train operation as a feature.
As far the communication system is concerned a secured and reliable mobile communication by means of TETRA technology. Gadgil said this would enable provision of accurate and timely information to passengers directly from Central Control Centre through broadcast announcement and display in different languages like Telugu, Hindi and English. This communication system would provide emergency call point and help-point phone at stations to assisting passengers in case of any help required. The LTMRHL managing director said Thales Portugal along with Thales India will design, manufacture, supply, install, test and commission the Communication System for the metro rail.
HMR managing director NVS Reddy said although the CBTC technology would allow train frequency every 90 seconds, HMR was planning to run trains with three cars every two minutes initially.
On the metro rail project works, Gadgil and NVS Reddy said so far, 200 pillars have been erected on the stretch between Nagole and Mettuguda and Miyapur and Sanjeeva Reddy Nagar and that the pillar constructions would begin soon on the LB Nagar to Victorial Memorial stretch on L B Nagar to Miyapur corridor.