Metro trains manufactured in India by Alstom have entered service on the Bhopal Metro, marking the start of passenger operations on the city’s first metro corridor. Manufacturing of the trainsets has been undertaken at Alstom’s rolling stock manufacturing facility in Savli, Gujarat.
The production programme involved fabrication of lightweight car bodies, integration of traction and braking systems, installation of onboard electronics, and final assembly and testing. The first Bhopal trainset was delivered in August 2023, approximately fourteen and a half months after the notice to proceed, followed by a second trainset in September 2023. To date, nine trainsets have been delivered to Bhopal and 19 to Indore.
The metro trains deployed in Bhopal are 100 percent manufactured in India under the Make in India programme. The trainsets form part of a combined order for Bhopal and Indore awarded by Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited, covering the supply of rolling stock, signalling systems, and long-term maintenance.
The contract, valued at 387 million euros, was awarded in June 2022 and includes the design, manufacture, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of 52 Movia metro trainsets. Of these, 27 are allocated for Bhopal and 25 for Indore. The scope also covers 15 years of comprehensive maintenance for the trains, along with seven years of maintenance for signalling, train control, and telecommunication systems.
In parallel with rolling stock production, Alstom has manufactured and implemented its Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system in India. The CBTC system supports automated train operations, continuous train-to-track communication, and optimised service performance. The signalling and train control equipment supplied under the project is designed to enable operations at speeds of up to 80 kilometres per hour.
Each Movia metro trainset has a capacity of 1,125 passengers, comprising 144 seated and 981 standing passengers. From a manufacturing perspective, the trains incorporate energy-efficient traction systems with regenerative braking, high-efficiency air-conditioning units, and LED-based lighting systems aimed at reducing lifecycle energy consumption. The trains are also fitted with integrated train control and management systems, surveillance equipment, and passenger communication interfaces assembled and tested as part of the domestic production process.
The Bhopal metro trains are part of Alstom’s Metropolis metro platform, which has been produced for multiple cities worldwide. In India, Alstom has manufactured and supplied metro rolling stock and systems for projects in cities including Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Lucknow, and Kochi.
Alstom operates manufacturing, engineering, and maintenance facilities across India, supporting metro, mainline rail, and signalling projects for domestic and export markets.
