ABB and Titagarh Rail Systems have formed a strategic partnership to supply
propulsion systems for metro rolling stock projects in India. The partnership
aligned with the Indian government’s “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat”
(self-reliant India) initiatives has already had an early success by winning
orders to design and supply equipment for metro coaches for the state of
Gujarat.
Titagarh specializes in the design, manufacture, supply, commissioning, and
servicing of various passenger rolling stock and metro coaches for Indian and
international markets. ABB is a world leader in the field of the design,
manufacture and servicing of propulsion systems and electrical equipment
relating to rolling stock used for railways and metro systems. The strategic
partnership brings the two companies together to build on their potential and
synergy to become an established player in the Indian market and expand its
market base to other projects and countries.
The partnership covers an agreement for Titagarh to purchase ABB propulsion
systems including traction converters, auxiliary converters, traction motors
and TCMS software. It also includes securing the manufacturing rights and
production license for traction motors along with the complete transfer of
technology of the GoA 4 (Driverless metro) TCMS software from ABB to Titagarh.
Edgar Keller, President, Traction Business, ABB, said, “ABB is established
as a leading global player in the design, manufacture, supply, and servicing of
traction propulsion systems and TCMS. This strategic partnership with Titagarh
provide the strong foundation to enter and expand our footprint in this key
market, while also supporting the efforts to make rail transportation in India
sustainable through our energy efficient technology, fully produced in India.”
Umesh Chowdhary, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Titagarh said.
“Working in partnership with ABB will enable Titagarh to participate fully in
our government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives. We have already
set up manufacturing facilities for some of the items for the propulsion chain
and are in the process of making it a wholistic solution. This agreement is an
important step towards developing in-house capabilities for our own TCMS,
including driverless (Grade of Automation 4) TCMS, complete with the setup of a
TCMS Laboratory and the development of the source codes, which is often
referred to as the ‘brain of the train’ and is the most modern in the world.
This development of local TCMS capabilities will enable us to further align
with the governments vision of the Aatmanirbharta.”
The strategic partnership is already underway with orders for propulsion
equipment and TCMS for metro coaches in Gujarat - one of the leading
industrialized states in India.