BENGALURU (Metro Rail News): Bengaluru Metro is preparing for its first major mid-life refurbishment programme, with trains that entered service around 2011 set for detailed technical inspections and component replacement. The exercise will help BMRCL maintain fleet reliability as newer CRRC-Titagarh trains gradually enter service.
Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is set to begin a major mid-life overhaul programme for some of its oldest metro trains after nearly 15 years of operations. The maintenance exercise will initially focus on trains operating on the Purple and Green Lines. Several of these trains have covered more than 10 lakh kilometres, making a detailed assessment of their mechanical, electrical and safety systems necessary for continued operations. This will be the first major mid-life overhaul undertaken for Bengaluru Metro’s original generation of rolling stock since commercial services began in 2011.
Bengaluru Metro’s Green and Purple lines get priority
The two corridors currently operate a combined fleet of 57 trains. BMRCL is also in the process of inducting new trains manufactured by the CRRC-Titagarh consortium. Four new trains have already arrived, while another 21 trains are expected to join the Green Line fleet in the coming period. The additional rolling stock will give BMRCL greater flexibility to withdraw older trains from service for maintenance. Some of the older trains currently deployed on the Green Line may subsequently be shifted to the Purple Line. This fleet reshuffling is expected to support the overhaul programme without significantly affecting daily operations.
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What Will the mid-life overhaul cover?
A mid-life overhaul is typically carried out after around 15 years of service, while a more extensive life-cycle overhaul is generally undertaken much later. Under the planned programme, each train will undergo a detailed inspection, followed by repairs or replacement of components depending on their condition. Key areas likely to be covered include:
- Traction motors and drive systems
- Electrical equipment, cables and batteries
- Wheels, axles and braking systems
- Doors and passenger safety mechanisms
- Air-conditioning and ventilation units
- Signalling, control and onboard electronic systems
- Passenger seating, interiors and other coach equipment
- Critical train safety systems
Worn-out or damaged components will be renewed wherever required following technical assessment.
Around 15 days for each train
The overhaul will be carried out in phases rather than taking multiple trains out of service simultaneously. BMRCL expects the maintenance and associated testing of each train to take around 15 days. The arrival of new trains is therefore important to the execution strategy. Additional rolling stock will allow the operator to maintain services while older trains are progressively sent for refurbishment. The programme comes as Bengaluru Metro’s network continues to expand and passenger dependence on its older corridors remains high.
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