For more than two decades, ABB has been quietly powering one of India’s most iconic urban transport systems. As Kolkata Metro marks a major milestone in its expansion journey, the global technology leader in electrification and automation is celebrating 25 years of partnership with the country’s first metro railway network.
Supporting a growing urban lifeline
What began as India’s pioneering metro rail project has evolved into a critical urban mobility backbone for Kolkata. Today, the 72-km metro network operates more than 300 train trips every day and serves over 500,000 passengers, helping reduce traffic congestion while promoting sustainable transportation across the city.
Behind the scenes, ABB’s electrification and motion-control technologies have played a crucial role in ensuring the metro’s operational efficiency, reliability and safety across underground and elevated corridors.
Building the backbone of metro operations
Over the past 25 years, ABB has deployed a wide range of electrification solutions across stations, tunnels and operational facilities within the Kolkata Metro network.
The company’s portfolio includes low-voltage and medium-voltage gas-insulated switchgear, distribution boards, lightning protection systems and variable frequency drives (VFDs). These technologies help optimise space utilisation, minimise downtime and ensure uninterrupted operations across the network.
The solutions also support critical ventilation and power distribution requirements, contributing to passenger safety and operational continuity.
Driving efficiency through intelligent motion solutions
Beyond electrification, ABB’s motion technologies have become integral to the metro’s infrastructure.
ABB Motion’s HVAC-dedicated packaged drives are used to control cooling and ventilation systems across metro stations. These systems help maintain passenger comfort during daily operations while also supporting smoke extraction functions during emergencies.
A key benefit of these solutions is energy efficiency. According to ABB, the HVAC drives deliver average energy savings of around 25%, helping the metro network reduce operational costs while advancing sustainability goals.
Enabling future-ready urban mobility
As India rapidly expands its metro rail infrastructure to address growing urbanisation challenges, technology is becoming a critical enabler of efficient and sustainable public transportation.
ABB says its technologies are currently helping customers drive efficient operations across nearly 80% of India’s metro rail networks, underscoring the company’s significant presence in the country’s urban transit ecosystem.
A partnership aligned with Make in India
ABB India President – Electrification, Kiran Dutt,said, “As India accelerates its journey toward low-carbon, smart urban transit, the need for highly efficient and intelligent solutions has never been more urgent. Today, ABB’s broad portfolio of technologies are helping our customers drive efficient operations across 80% of the nation’s metro rail networks.”
He added, “Over the past 25 years, ABB has closely partnered with Kolkata Metro to equip its network with future-ready products and solutions across different corridors. Through local manufacturing and innovations under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, ABB continues to support India’s vision for a modern, sustainable and future-ready transportation ecosystem.”
Powering key metro corridors
ABB’s solutions have been deployed across several important sections of the Kolkata Metro network, tailored to meet the specific infrastructure and operational requirements of each location.
These installations span key corridors and facilities including Sealdah–Phoolbagan, Joka–Majerhat, Barun Sengupta–Nazrul Tirtha, Airport and Blue Line corridors. ABB technologies are also operational at Dakshineswar, Baranagar, Metro Railway Bhavan and Jai Hind Bimanbandar, India’s largest underground metro station.
The solutions support a range of metro infrastructure functions, from power distribution and electrification to HVAC applications, helping ensure reliable operations as the network continues to expand.
Technology at the heart of urban transit
The ABB-Kolkata Metro partnership highlights how advanced electrification and automation technologies have become central to modern urban transportation systems. As cities increasingly invest in sustainable mobility infrastructure, reliable power management, energy efficiency and intelligent operations are expected to remain key priorities.
For Kolkata Metro, a quarter-century partnership with ABB has helped create the technological foundation needed to keep one of India’s busiest urban transit networks moving efficiently, safely and sustainably.