Metro rail: Of Dubai and India

Hailed as the world's longest automated driverless project, the Dubai Metro Project opened to the public on September 9, 2009.

Built at a cost of $7.6 billion, the first metro rail in the United Arab Emirates adds further glitter to Dubai's impressive list of engineering marvels.

India too is investing billions of dollars on building this modernised transport system. After the success of the first metro rail in Kolkata and the impressive performance of the Delhi Metro, India is building the most ambitious and swanky metro rail systems to develop a strong transport infrastructure.

Take a journey on the Dubai Metro and check out India's big-budget metro rail projects...

The Dubai Metro

The railway system is partially underground and at elevated ducts with 47 stations en route. The rail promises to offer a great service in terms of luxury, punctuality, cleanliness and security.

Stations will have food outlets, ATMs, dry cleaning services and retail space. The stations and trains are fully air-conditioned.

The trains are designed to carry 643 passengers per 5-car train. It can carry up to 897 passengers at peak capacity.

The project is expected to cut down traffic jams and reduce traveling time during peak hours by 50 per cent.

Every train will have three classes The Golden Class (VIP), the Women and Children's Class and the Silver Class (economy).

Built in four years, the rail is expected to carry 1.8 million passengers per day by 2020. The UK-based Serco Group will be responsible for the operations and maintenance.

The first phase of the network is being built by Dubai Rapid Link (DURL) Consortium, which comprises Japanese companies including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Corporation, Obayashi Corporation, Kajima Corporation and the Turkish company Yapi Merkezi.

And now, here's a look at India's modern metro rail systems...

Kolkata Metro

The first underground metro railway in India was opened in Kolkata. The project was conceived by the then chief minister of West Bengal, B.C. Roy in 1949. But the plan did not work out as expected. Years later, the Metropolitan Transport Project was set up to construct a Mass Rapid Transit System.

A master plan was prepared in 1971 and the project finally became a reality on 24 October, 1984 after it crossed several hurdles.

The Kolkata Metro extends from Dum-Dum near Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose airport, Kolkata to Tollygunj, over a length of 16.45 kilometres. There are seventeen stations along this route. The total project cost stands at Rs 1,825 crore (Rs 18.25 billion). The trains run at a maximum speed of 55 km/ph.

The Delhi Metro was set up next, bringing about a revolution in India's transport infrastructure.

Delhi Metro

A turning point in India's transport sector, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) began construction on 1 October 1998.

On 25 December 2002, the first section of Line 1 from Shahdara to Tis-Hazari was opened. Today, the Delhi Metro is used by millions of commuters.

On 4 August 2009, 1 million people travelled in the Delhi Metro, the highest so far in a single day with revenues of Rs.12.4 million from ticket sales. The revenue earnings of the Delhi Metro Rail Corp (DMRC) are likely to touch $500 million by 2011, an increase of 194 percent, an Assocham study said.

Under the leadership of R Sreedharan, the Delhi Metro have recorded an impressive growth. The punctuality and reliability of the metro trains during 2007-08 stood at 99.95 per cent, up from 98.29 per cent in the previous year.

The Delhi Metro has a combination of elevated and underground lines and Trains operate at intervals of 3 to 4.5 minutes. Trains operating within the network travel at speeds below 80 km/hr.

The Metro system has a total network length of 76.7 km, with 68 stations on 3 separate lines (14 underground, 52 elevated and 2 at-grade station). Delhi Metro trains run an average of 400 km per day.

All metro stations and trains are monitored closed circuit cameras. Intercom is provided in each train car in case of an emergency communication between the passengers and the driver.

Stations have facilities like ATMs, food outlets, cafes and convenience stores. The Delhi Metro is one of the five operationally profitable metro systems in the world. The DMRC's mission is to cover the whole of Delhi with a metro Network by the year 2021.

The Delhi Metro has won several awards for its environmentally friendly practices. Delhi Metro recently faced severe criticism when an under-construction bridge collapsed in July killing six construction labourers.

There are allegations that Metro contractors are flouting safety norms, as they are under pressure to meet the 2010 Commonwealth Games deadline. The Phase-II of the Delhi Metro will cover for 121.17 kms. The DMRC will start work on Phase-III by the end of 2010.

Take a look at the upcoming metro projects in India...

New Metro rail projects

The government plans to start metro rail in cities with a population of over one million. The success of the Delhi Metro has garnered more support for the need of more mass transit systems across India.

Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chandigarh can soon boast of a Metro rail system.

Mumbai Metro

Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has planned a 146 kilometre long, rail based Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) for Mumbai.

The first corridor is proposed for Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Section, comprising 12 stations.  This project is being implemented by Mumbai Metro One Private Limited - a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) formed by Reliance Energy Ltd, Veolia Transport (France) and MMRDA.

The Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar route of the Metro project is being built at a total cost of Rs 2,356 crore (Rs 23. 56 billion) with a viability gap fund of Rs 650 crore (Rs 6.6 billion) being provided by the government.

Pune Metro

Pune Metro rail is an ambitious Rs 17,935 crore (Rs 179.35 billion) project. The project report work was done by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation in 2007, and it has identified three prospective routes in the area.

The project is expected to be commissioned by 2013.

Chennai Metro

The Chennai Metro Rail project will be executed by Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed in the financial year 2014-2015.

The estimated cost of this project is Rs 14,600 crore (Rs 146 billion), including escalation, central taxes and interest during the period of construction.

Hyderabad Metro

The development of Metro Rail was approved for 71.16 kilometres covering three high density traffic corridors of Hyderabad.

Hyderabad Metro Rail promises an international urban transportation experience. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has conducted an extensive study on the project.

The project is expected to be completed at an estimated cost of Rs 12,132 crore (Rs 121.32 billion). Meanwhile, the government cancelled the contract given to a consortium led by Maytas Infra and has invited fresh proposals.

Bangalore Metro

The Bangalore Metro or Namma Metro project promises quick, safer and economical transport through the busy commercial and residential areas of the city.

The first phase of Bangalore Metro, consisting of two corridors of double line electrified, will cover a total of 42.30 km.

The total project outlay is pegged at Rs 6,395 crore (Rs 63.95 billion) and will be operated by the Bangalore Metro Raila Corporation.

A report by the DMRC and RITES suggested a 33 km elevated and underground rail network with 32 stations for Phase I of the project.

Chandigarh Metro

The Chandigarh Metro will put an end to traffic woes of commuters in Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali. The proposed project will include metro rail, bus rapid transit system and commuters rail service (CRS).

Chandigarh would initiate the MRTS project jointly with the state governments of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab.

The total cost of the project is estimated to be Rs 15,000 crore (Rs 150 billion) and is expected to be completed in four years.

Kochi Metro

The Planning Commission has finally given the nod to the Metro rail project. It is now planned to be commissioned by 2011.

The project will be built on a public-private partnership. Kochi Metro Rail Corporation will operate the metro.

DMRC has also submitted a proposal for the metro rail project to be extended till the Cochin Interational Airport at at Nedumbassery. There will be 26 stations.

Jaipur Metro

The pink city will also get a Metro rail system. In a bid to ease the road traffic in Jaipur, Metro-Rail on the lines of Delhi Metro is expected to start operations by 2013. The Metro-rail ground level work will begin in March 2010.