Hyderabad, Nov 16 (IANS) L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited has awarded the signalling and train control and communication system contract to Thales, a global technology leader in the defence, aerospace and transportation markets.

The signalling and train control contract has been given to Thales Canada and Thales India while the communication system contract has been awarded to Thales Portugal and Thales India.

Vivek B. Gadgil, chief executive and managing director of L&T Metro Rail, told reporters Friday that Hyderabad Metro Rail would be the first in India to run on Communication Based Train Control System (CBTC).

He said they would be employing CBTC to enhance safety and increase the frequency of train. The metro operators around the world have benefited from this technology in terms of low operating, energy and maintenance costs, optimal life cycle costs.

"The trains are controlled from the central control centre. Thus, the driver is not dependent on the line side signals. Information regarding clearance of the line and permitted speed is given in the driving cab itself," he said.

Gadgil expressed satisfaction over the progress of the work on the Rs.16,375 crore Metro rail project, described as the world's largest Metro project under public private partnership. He, however, said it has a tight timeline and the pace of the work need to be accelerated.

The project on 72−km three high density corridors with 66 elevated Metro stations will be be operational by July 2017.

The commissioning of the first stage of the project is expected in 2015.

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