Uninterrupted power supply for Namma Metro

Uninterrupted power supply for Namma Metro
Praveen Dhaneshkar, Aug 9,Bangalore, DHNS

Even as unscheduled power cuts have become routine in the City, the Bangalore Metro project has been assured of uninterrupted power supply, 24/7.

With the 7.5 km Reach-1 of the ‘Namma Metro’ from Byappanahalli to Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium set to commence operation from December this year, uninterrupted power supply will be provided to all six stations and train-cars, according to the officials of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL).

Power sourced from a 220 KV master station of the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) will be distributed by Bescom through two 66 KV level receiving sub-stations to be established at Hoodi and HAL airport. From these sub-stations, power will be transmitted to a 33 KV network of receiving sub-stations at four corners of the City - Byappanahalli, Peenya, Mysore Road and Puttenahalli - for smooth functioning of Metro train and stations.

Back-up units

The BMRCL has awarded a Rs 506-cr contract to ABB Limited to set up the necessary infrastructure such as power supply traction and transformers.

The contract provides for ABB to design, supply, install and commission four sub-stations that receive and distribute electricity, each rated at 66/33 Kilovolts, as well as the auxiliary and traction sub-stations. This comprises two main lines covering 42 km of distance (entire Phase 1), about one-fifth of it underground, and serves all 41 stations en route, BMRCL officials said. This apart, a back-up power supply unit would also be provided in each of the trains, to be functional in the eventuality of any emergency.

To start with, the first set of three cars/coaches will be shipped from South Korea for initial trial run and subsequent commissioning in October.

Training of loco-pilots

The Corporation has also commenced training for loco-pilots for the Metro project.
A total of 100 candidates have been recruited for training as station controllers and loco-pilots initially. From these, 83 have cleared the final selection round and sent to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRCL) for training.

Drawn from across the State as knowledge of Kannada was made a prerequisite for selection, they are in the age-group of 18 to 20 years and include seven women. All the selected hold diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics or Industrial Engineering. As many as 43 of the selected are from rural areas and all will be on a two-year probation, BMRCL sources said.

Test on DMRCL tracks

The first batch candidates will be imparted module-based training at the DMRCL’s exclusive training institute situated in Shastri Park, New Delhi.

The loco-pilots will undergo training with simulators and will be put to test on DMRCL trains. Seven experienced engine drivers from South Western Railways have also been taken on deputation to assist them.

BMRCL has given a requisition of a total of 383 candidates to be trained in Delhi Metro. The other candidates will join training subsequently in batches and consist Section Engineers, Junior Engineers (JEs), Maintainers, Customer Relation Associates (CRAs) etc.
The DMRCL chief Public Relations Officer Anuj Dayal said: “The present batch consisting of Station Controllers/Train Operators from the BMRCL will be given a five-month intensive training where they will get a first-hand knowledge of the functioning and working of the Metro Rail system. The trainees will learn how to start the train, pick up acceleration, decelerating, braking, communication within the train, handling emergency situations and passenger evacuation and Man-Machine Interaction within the train operator’s cab.”

This is the second time that DMRCL has been roped in to train BMRCL staffers. Last year too, training was imparted to Bangalore Metro engineers.