Indore is on the brink of a revolutionary change in its transportation system with the Indore Metro Rail Project. Aimed at addressing the growing demands of urban transportation, this under-construction Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) promises to not only ease traffic congestion but also improve air quality and provide a robust, efficient transit solution for the city's burgeoning population.
Project Overview
The Indore Metro project, executed by the Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MPMRCL), encompasses 28 stations in ring formation (Yellow line) with a length of 31.5kms connecting various important landmarks and various other modes of transport such as ISBT, Railway Station and Airport. The project is overseen by DB, Geodata and Louis Berger, serving as the general consultants.
Key Details:
· Client: Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MPMRCL)
· General Consultant: DB, Geodata & Louis Berger
· Project Scope: Includes elevated and underground stations, depots, elevated viaduct sections, underground tunnels, and Ramps.
Yellow Line: Ring Line
· Route: Gandhi Nagar – Bhawarsala Chauraha – Vijay Nagar Chauraha – Radisson Chauraha – Bengali Chauraha – Palasia – Railway Station – Bada Ganpati – Airport – Gandhi Nagar
· Elevated Section: 22.62 km
· Elevated Stations: 21
· Underground Tunnel: 8.7 km (including ramps)
· Underground Stations: 7
Viaduct Structure
The Indore Metro features a 22.62 km viaduct structure, using PSC segmental box girders for most sections and post-tensioning girders at depot ramps. For railway crossings, steel open web girders are employed. The viaduct's sub-structures vary based on road alignment and utilities, incorporating single piers, two-legged portal piers, and cantilever piers. Foundations are chosen based on soil conditions, with options including open/mat footings and piles and pile caps.
Fig 2: Typical Viaduct Box Girder Segment
Station Design
The stations are designed with a balanced cantilever structure, featuring a length of 140m and width of 21m. Most foundations are open, though some utilize pile foundations. The stations integrate several critical components, such as concourse lever piers, track supporting girders, and platform level structures.
| 1. Open / Pile foundation 2. Cross Barrier 3. Concourse lever pier 4. Concourse pier arm 5. Concourse level DT Girder 6. Concourse Edge beam 7. Platform level pier 8. Platform level pier arm 9. Track supporting girder and deck slab 10. Platform level DT Girder 11. Platform level edge beam 12. PEB roof structure |
Fig 3: Typical cross section of stations
The station contains of Entry/Exit buildings with FOB arrangements refer below fig 4.
Fig 4: Entry/Exit Building Fig 5: Station Interior
Stations are equipped with modern amenities including:
· Entry/Exit buildings with Foot Over Bridges (FOBs)
· Automatic fare collection systems (as shown in Fig-5)
· Side platforms for efficient passenger movement
· High surveillance and safety features
The Station concourse contains automatic fare collection system in a manner that divides the concourse into two distinct areas. The 'unpaid area' is where passengers gain access to the station, obtain travel information and purchase tickets. On passing through the ticket gates, the passenger enters the 'paid area’, which includes access to the platforms. However, it is planned in such a way that maximum surveillance can be achieved by the ticket hall supervisor over ticket machines, automatic fare collection (AFC) gates, stairs and escalators. Ticket machines and AFC gates are positioned to minimize cross flows of passengers and provide adequate circulation space. Refer fig 6 typical plan of concourse level of stations.
Fig 6: Concourse level of stations.
Fig 7: Station Exterior View
Underground Alignment
As in other metro projects in India, most of the alignment in Indore metro project is kept as elevated to minimise land acquisition & cost. Length of underground sections is restricted to congested areas where elevated construction is not feasible. Older dense part of a city having narrow roads & sharp turns doesn’t allow Elevated rail alignment without major demolitions. Underground alignment length is 8.70 kms including ramps. Underground alignment is located between Indore Railway Station to Airport Station.
Salient features of underground stations:
· Seven number of stations: Railway Station, Rajwada, Chota Ganapati, Bada Ganapati, Ramchandra Nagar, BSF-Kalani Nagar, Airport.
· Typically, Underground station is two-level air-conditioned stations; with minimum two entry-exits. Airport and Railway station has additional entry to ensure multi-modal integration.
· 2.4m wide staircases, escalators & 13 passenger lifts to serve large passenger numbers.
· Modern passenger safety features like Platform screen doors.
· 1.8m wide emergency-exit staircases. Separate staircase & lift for fireman.
· Fire alarm & firefighting systems.
· Multi-Modal integration: Indore Railway metro station is directly connected to Indore railway station via FOB. Airport Metro station is connected to Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport via subway.
· Architectural design: Stations have flooring and wall cladding in granite. Stations reflect local culture through display of murals & artwork.
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Construction Methodology:
· Bottom-Up Construction: Utilizing secant piles for primary retaining, followed by excavation and construction of bottom slabs, concourse, and roof slab.
· Tunnelling: Executed using twin bored tunnels with sophisticated Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs), featuring a finished diameter of 5.8m and a maximum depth of 23m. Ramps will be constructed by cut-and-cover methods.
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Metro Rail Depot Overview
The Metro Rail Depot is essential for train stabling, maintenance, operation control, and testing. It includes various facilities to ensure efficient and smooth operations:
Stabling and Maintenance
· Stabling Shed: Equipped with adequate stabling lines and platforms to accommodate train racks, facilitating regular checks and operational requirements.
· Maintenance Facilities: Integrated with the depot cum workshop, encompassing both heavy and light maintenance. These facilities include a washing plant, inspection tracks, and a workshop for major repairs, including under-floor wheel lathe.
· Inspection Shed: Features under-pit and train roof access with a three-level inspection facility for comprehensive maintenance.
Cleaning and Testing
· Cleaning Shed: Equipped with a washing apron, permanent way office, store siding, and workshop including a welding plant.
· Depot Ramp: Facilitates the movement of incoming and outgoing trains, featuring an automatic wash plant.
· Test Track: Fenced area dedicated to testing new rolling stocks.
Administration and Control
· Administration Building: Includes a Creche, Medical room, Yoga Hall and various specialized rooms for Operations, Signaling & Telecommunication facilities
· Operation Control Centre (OCC): Manages the entire Metro Rail network, supported by a Depot control center, Crew booking center
· Training Center: This block consists of Training facilities with simulator room for Testing, Commissioning purposes. Also, this block includes a Canteen too with kitchen facilities.
Utilities and Security
· Central Store Depot: Features separate storage for paints, inflammables, lubricants, and a goods platform with a ramp.
· Receiving Substation: Receives power from the grid at 132 kV / 220 kV, stepping it down to 33 kV for distribution.
· Effluent and Sewage Treatment Plants: Ensures proper collection and treatment of effluent and sewage.
· Security: A permanent boundary wall at least 3 meters high with a concertina coil fence, lights, and CCTV cameras.
This streamlined infrastructure ensures that the Metro Rail Depot effectively supports the operational, maintenance, and administrative needs of the metro system.
Fig 11: Depot Layout
Conclusion
The Indore Metro Rail Project stands as a modern urban infrastructure, poised to transform the city's transportation landscape. With state-of-the-art facilities, thoughtful design, and a commitment to sustainability, the Indore Metro promises to enhance the quality of life for its residents, offering a cleaner, faster, and more efficient way to navigate the city.
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