Nagpur Metro to lease trains from CMRL.

Nagpur Metro Rail has planned to lease trains from Chennai Metro Rail as soon it begins operations.

Nagpur Metro Rail Limited (NMRL) officials said they would borrow two trains from Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) initially when they start their first service in about two-and-a-half years. The trains manufactured for them in China will take longer to be delivered. They have ordered for 69 coaches from China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) at a cost of ₹851 crore.

Officials said they did not want to wait to start operations till the trains arrive from China. The plan is to operate a 5.5-km stretch from Mihan to Nagpur airport by leasing trains from Chennai Metro Rail. The two trains from Chennai will be used for about one year. “We have signed an MoU in this regard. But we are still holding discussions on the cost factor; after we reach consensus on the payment, a detailed agreement too will be signed,” an official said.

Nagpur Metro Rail being built at a cost of ₹8,680 crore comprises a 40-km, elevated network that aims to carry 3.5 lakh people by 2020.

Sources said NMRL had also approached Hyderbad Metro Rail but decided to settle with CMRL due to some reasons.

Meanwhile, officials of CMRL said they are more than willing to lend trains to NMRL. Chennai Metro Rail had ordered for 42 trains from French company Alstom; so far, 33 have arrived. “At present, 18 trains are running in two stretches of Chennai Metro Rail. Another eight trains will be put on track for the underground stretch from Thirumangalam to Nehru Park that is likely to open soon,” an official said.

CMRL will charge a rental for using the trains, which will be returned to Chennai once Chinese trains are delivered to Nagpur.

THE HINDU