ICF builds coaches for Kolkata Metro

The first, three phase Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor Technology (IGBT) metro rake to Kolkata was flagged off from the furnishing division of ICF by Railway Board Chairman A K Mittal on Tuesday, in presence of ICF General Manager S Mani. 

The train has eight compartments, each with a capacity to carry 325 passengers. “A few more works have to be undertaken and after which the train will be despatched to Kolkata,” ICF sources said. 

The coaches were built with stainless steel and were propelled by three phase IGBT-based electric propulsion system which was indigenously manufactured. These coaches were on a par with other metro coaches in India and the cost of one train set was about Rs 40 crore, which was half the cost of any other imported metro train, the sources said. The regenerative braking in the train saves the energy requirement to the extent of 30 per cent of total consumption.ICF will manufacture 26 train sets for Kolkata Metro.  Tourism coaches: During his visit, the Railway Board Chairman also inspected the tourism coach for IRCTC that was being manufactured at the ICF. The interiors of the coach are fully air conditioned. The coach also has automatic doors. 

The sidewall of the compartment has large windows, measuring 2.2mx1.25m, and are transparent. Likewise, the roof of the compartment too has transparent glasses which could be turned opaque, when required. The seats come equipped with a rotating system, whereby they could be oriented in the direction in which the train is running. The coaches are fitted with an entertainment system, including an LCD  display.  This will be a part of the tourist train to be run from Visakapatnam to Arakku Valley, in Andhra Pradesh, by the IRCTC.