In a collaborative effort, MMRC has signed a 15-year licence agreement with M/s Microscan Infocommtech Pvt. Ltd. for the installation and maintenance of Optic Fibre Cable (OFC) on Mumbai Metro Line 3. This partnership will play a pivotal role in building a robust digital fibre infrastructure across the alignment.
More Details:
Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) signed a 15-year licence agreement for the exclusive Optic Fibre Cable (OFC) network with M/s Microscan Infocommtech Pvt. Ltd. to generate non-fare revenue sources for Mumbai Metro Line 3. The licence allows Microscan to use the OFCs available with MMRC and Right of Way (RoW) to lay additional OFCs along the 33.5 km underground tunnels of Aqua Line. This partnership aims to enhance the metro’s communication network, ensuring seamless and reliable connectivity throughout the corridor.
Image Credit (representational): MMRC
Benefits and Future Aspects:
- MMRC is expected to receive Rs. 200 Crores annually under non-fare revenue services with Auctus Advisors and StudioPod consortium as Transaction Advisors.
- MMRC is in the final stages of commissioning of Phase-I from Aarey to BKC of the fully underground Mumbai Metro Line 3.
- The underground metro line spans across 27 stations from Aarey JVLR station to Cuffe Parade station.
- The metro line is expected to have the highest ridership compared to any other metro in India.
Bid Process:
A total of 7 leading OFC infrastructure firms participated in this bid process and Microscan emerged as the winner. Microscan also holds a similar licence along Mumbai Metro Line 1.
Together Metro Lines 3 & 1 provide OFC network access across length & breadth of Mumbai.
Image Credit: MMRC
MD Stated:
Smt. Ashwini Bhide (IAS), Managing Director, MMRC said, “MMRC is keen to maximise non-fare revenue, to keep the passengers fares affordable and to help more commuters to shift from private to Mumbai Metro. The OFC network with a dedicated RoW will make Mumbai communication more robust and resilient”.
At the Agreement Signing Ceremony:
The agreement is signed by Smt. Ashwini Bhide (IAS), MD MMRC and Shri Sandeep Donde, MD Microscan. The signing ceremony is also attended by Shri R. Ramana, Director (Planning & Real Estate Dev./NFBR), Shri Yogendra Saxena, Director (Finance) from MMRC and Shri Chandrashekhar Mahant, Director of Microscan.
Conclusion:
The MMRC-Microscan partnership strengthens the digital infrastructure of Mumbai Metro Line 3, enhancing communication resilience and supporting MMRC’s goal of maximising non-fare revenue to keep fares affordable. As Phase-I nears completion, this agreement highlights MMRC’s commitment to delivering a world-class metro system for Mumbai’s commuters.
Source: MMRC – Press Release | Featured Image Credit: MMRC
