Bhopal Metro : Turkish co to prepare fare collection system

 

 

 

 

 

 

With an aim to facilitate improved mobility within Bhopal and Indore, Metro Rail Corporation is set up to install Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) systems on public participation basis. The corporation is has finalised a private company from Turkey to prepare the AFC system. The company has presented its bid at minimum cost of Rs 186.52 crore. Earlier, corporation had estimated around Rs 230 crore to be spent on this system. Metro Corporation for the first time called tender for the AFC system in October, 2022 in which single bid was presented by a nationalised bank. However, as per rules, the offer was rejected. For the second time, corporation called bid in which three companies including Encosys Electronics, NEC Corporation Indian Limited and Shellingfosg Global Digital Technology presented their bid. Minimum cost of bid was presented by the Turkish company Encosys Electronics and finally approved by the Metro Corporation.

 

The company will be preparing complete fare collection system for Metro train and would be developing complete infrastructure at all stations related to the fare collection. The common mobility card system develop by the company would allow citizens to travel within Bhopal and Indore city suing single card. Officials of Metro Corporation said, Automatic Fare Collection are hardware units powered by secure and scaleable software solutions that are built to automatically handle the fare collection in place of high footfall like Metro station, railway, etc. First phase of the much-awaited Metro Project in Bhopal is anticipated to be completed by the year 2027. The project got green signal in year 2018. Though the project officers are working tirelessly to ensure that metro train becomes available to people at earliest but it would take time to complete the project work on all routes. The construction work of first route of AIIMS to Karond area will take additional time.

 

Experts said that commercial run of metro will be beginning after July but only in parts of the city. Entire Metro Project would take longer time to get completed. As per DPR, ground work on AIIMS to Karond stretch includes twin tunnel and two under ground stations has yet to be started. However selected agency has got the agreement letter this week and it would take at least two months to start the work. Officials said that to prepare the two under grounds and tunnels it would take around three years. In first phase, AIIMS to Karond route is 16.8 km long and its 13.4 km of area will be elevated. Remaining 3.4 km of area will be there on land. Construction plan includes 12 elevated and two under ground stations. Construction of Metro was began in Bhopal from Subhash Nagar to AIIMS during year 2018. Continuing the work of Subhash Nagar to AIIMS, working on other routes including Karond was began. Officials said it would take around 769 crores on construction of land areas and twin tunnels. Narottam Das, General Manager Bhopal said that all effort is being made to complete the task in timeline. He said, Bhopal and Indore city has received five- five sets of metro trains. One train is already there on track for final trial and three trains are being run in depot for testing. After, Model Code of Conduct imposed, commercial run of metro has been postponed for July or August.