The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has added a high-speed Catenary Maintenance Vehicle (CMV) to the Namo Bharat fleet to enable quicker inspection and maintenance across the 82-km Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor. Built indigenously, this specialised vehicle will play a crucial role in ensuring that the overhead power supply system supporting Namo Bharat train operations remains consistently reliable for the commuters, stable and safe.
According to the NCRTC, this one of its kind maintenance vehicle is designed for 120 kmph speed, with an operational speed of 110 kmph. It is for the first time in the country that a CMV has been integrated with the signalling system, ie, ETCS Level 2 Hybrid Level 3 signalling of Namo Bharat, a global first, for operation in Automatic Train Protection (ATP) mode, allowing fast and safe inspection and maintenance across the entire corridor. This CMV is indigenously manufactured in Uttarakhand and has recently reached Namo Bharat Depot at Duhai, Ghaziabad, via road on a trailer, where it was lowered onto the tracks by a crane. The operational hours of urban mobility services are often very long, starting as early as 5.30 am with the last train available till 11 pm. This leaves a very small window of time for maintenance and upkeep work. In addition to that, Namo Bharat, being a regional rail, also has a longer corridor of 82 km in comparison to other intra-city services, with stations located at a distance of 5-10 km. It means that maintenance work has to be done quickly and efficiently, wherever required, on the entire corridor. The higher speed of this new CMV will, thus, ensure that maintenance teams can reach any location along the corridor more quickly.
“By enabling quicker detection and rectification of any OHE-related issues, the CMV directly contributes to enhancing the service reliability of the trains for the commuters,” it said.
Punctuality, and support the delivery of a smooth and predictable travel experience, especially during peak hours when the corridor carries high commuter volumes,” it said.
The CMV is equipped to maintain both types of overhead systems used on the corridor: Flexible and Rigid Overhead Catenary. Its lifting and swivelling platform supports routine inspection and repair of overhead equipment, while an attached crane with a bucket helps teams safely access parts that are otherwise hard to reach, such as switching posts. A pantograph on the vehicle measures the condition of the overhead wires, and onboard cameras give the operator real-time visibility of pantograph movement, crane activity, and reverse movement, ensuring safe operations at all times.
To support safe working conditions, the vehicle is fitted with multiple interlocks and safety mechanisms for both the operating crew and maintenance teams. With the induction of this high-speed maintenance vehicle, NCRTC is now able to further strengthen system reliability, minimize service interruptions, and ensure timely, dependable connectivity for thousands of commuters who travel on the Namo Bharat corridor every day.
