ABB Power Products and Systems India, also known as Hitachi ABB Power Grids, has secured a $21.92m (Rs1.6bn) order from the Central Organisation for Rail Electrification (CORE) and Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) to power electric freight locomotives.
According to the order, ABB Power Products will supply 25kV traction transformers to CLW for the WAG 9 locomotives, as well as 132kV trackside transformers to CORE.
Traction transformers direct power for critical train functions such as traction, ventilation, braking, lighting, signalling and communication from the catenary.
On the other hand, trackside transformers minimise power voltage to an appropriate level before directing it to the railway catenary conductors.
Hitachi ABB Power Grids CEO and managing director Venu Nuguri said: “These orders are a source of immense pride for us at Hitachi ABB Power Grids. They advance our vision of playing a pivotal role in rail electrification in India and enabling improvements in rail safety, capacity and speed. Such partnerships will help lower our dependence on imported fossil fuel and reduce both fuel costs and carbon emissions for the Indian Railways.”
In a separate development, France’s Systra has secured a contract from Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) to provide consultancy services for the new elevated yellow line of the Bangalore Metro.
The company will assist BMRCL in selecting suppliers for the implementation of Grade of Automation 4 (GoA 4), which is a four-level assessment of automation degrees in a transport system.
GoA 4 will be executed along the 19km metro line on which construction started at the end of 2017.
The company will evaluate the design documents, which will be submitted by contractors for their capability in executing GoA4 operations.
The commercial services on the line are scheduled for 2023.
