Johnson Lifts bags Rs 198 cr order from Chennai Metro

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has awarded a contract worth Rs 198 crore to a joint venture of Johnson Lifts Pvt Ltd and SJEC Corporation for supply of lifts and escalators.

Phase 1 of the project consists of two corridors with elevated structures and a 45-km long underground tunnel. It will have 19 underground stations and 13 elevated stations. For the elevated stations, commuters will have to move from the street level to the concourse level where they could buy tickets and then move to the platform level to board the train. In the underground stations, commuters from the street level will go down to the concourse level and further down to the platform level, according to a release.

Apart from providing steps to go up and down from various levels, CMRL is also providing escalators for journeys up and down at these stations at various entry and exit points. In addition, to help senior citizens and physically challenged persons lifts will be provided at these stations.

The lifts and escalators will be operational for about 20 hours. In all, 122 lifts and 296 escalators are being procured under this contract.

The lifts will have a carrying capacity of 13 passengers while escalators will have a capacity of 9,000 passengers per hour. The operation of the lifts and escalators can be monitored and controlled by remote monitoring systems located at the stations.

The scope of work includes design, manufacture, supply, erection, testing and commissioning. The contract, won through the international bidding process, also provides for comprehensive maintenance of the lifts and escalators up to December 31, 2020.