Hitachi Energy automates power distribution for Kolkata’s metro railway

Hitachi Energy’s MicroSCADA X to control the power distribution, traction substations and auxiliary substations.

India’s first metro operator, Metro Railway, Kolkata, initiated services to extend the city’s North-South metro from Noapara to Dakshineswar. The 4.1 km extension will provide fast, easy, pollution, and traffic-free travel to thousands of commuters in the city and its adjoining areas.

The opening of the new line has brought down the commute time between Dakshineswar and Kavi Subhash by up to 90 minutes. The extension not only reduces the time and expense but will positively impact the environment by enabling a reduction in the number of vehicles on the roads and improved traffic conditions in the ‘City of Joy’.

Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), an organisation under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, that undertakes major projects on behalf of Metro Railway, selected Hitachi Energy’s advanced power automation and control solution, MicroSCADA X, to control the power distribution, traction substations and auxiliary substations.

K. Srivastav, Executive Director- Electrical, RVNL said, “Hitachi Energy’s state-of-the-art technology for SCADA systems with remote terminal units supplied in this project is facilitating control functions for the smooth running of trains in Metro Railway, Kolkata.”

According to Metro Railway, Kolkata around 18 million commuters travelling from Howrah, Hooghly, and North 24 Parganas will be served by this extension each year. The new line is expected to benefit students, academics and other visitors to the educational campuses located near the Baranagar station and the thousands of tourists and devotees visiting the famous Kali temples at Kalighat and Dakshineswar.

“As a partner of choice for many metro projects across India, Hitachi Energy continues to supply the critical components that keep the vital transportation sector moving,” said Ahmad Khan, Sr. Vice President, and Hub Business Unit Manager, Grid Automation at Hitachi Energy. He added, “We are proud of our contribution towards improving the sustainability quotient of a city like Kolkata.”

MicroSCADA X will be deployed at Metro Kolkata’s Operation Control Center (OCC) and Backup Control Center (BCC) to automate the flow of power. It is a future-proof solution with a modern user interface and innovative ease-of-use features including web-based and mobile access. It is an easily scalable system and will provide metro railway with very wide and intuitive functionality with advanced cybersecurity safeguards as per the latest global standards.

Hitachi Energy India supplied remote terminal units and SCADA systems for Baranagar traction substation (TSS) and Dakshineswar TSS. This included the design, supply, erection, testing and commissioning of the SCADA system for 33 kV Power Distribution, Traction Substations and Auxiliary Substations combined with a 750 V DC Third Rail Traction system for Joka-Majerhat and Airport-New Garia corridors.

The latest deployment by Hitachi Energy will help keep power flowing for Metro Railway, Kolkata further enhancing the organisation’s position as the pioneer of urban rapid transport in India.