In a significant advancement for urban transit in the city, the Kanpur Metro project has successfully installed its crucial Third Rail system along a key elevated section. This achievement marks a pivotal step towards operational readiness for a major part of Corridor-1.
A Crucial Electrification Milestone
The installation was completed on the approximately 5.3-kilometer-long elevated section between Baradevi and Naubasta. This stretch falls under the balance section of Corridor-1, which runs from Kanpur Central to Naubasta. The 750 Volt DC Third Rail system is the backbone that will power the metro trains upon commissioning.
Officials from the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (UPMRC) confirmed that the Third Rail installation was carried out in tandem with the track construction work. The synchronized effort ensured efficiency, with both tasks reaching completion on this stretch by the end of October 2025.
Testing and Approvals Secured
Merely installing the system was not the end of the process. The project authorities have also successfully navigated the critical post-installation phase. All mandatory testing procedures related to the Third Rail system have been completed on the Baradevi-Naubasta section.
Furthermore, the project has received the necessary approval from the office of the electrical inspector general, a vital regulatory clearance that validates the safety and compliance of the electrical infrastructure. This dual accomplishment of testing and approval significantly de-risks the project timeline for this section.
Leadership Confident on Progress
Sushil Kumar, the Managing Director of UPMRC, hailed this development as a major milestone for the Kanpur Metro. He expressed confidence in the ongoing pace of construction across the network.
"Kanpur Metro achieved a significant milestone by completing the installation of the Third Rail system on the approximately 5.3 km long Baradevi-Naubasta elevated section," Kumar stated. He also provided an update on other fronts, noting that track construction work in the underground section between Kanpur Central and Swadeshi Cotton Mill Ramp is progressing rapidly.
"We are confident that construction work on Corridors 1 and 2 will continue at a steady pace," Kumar added, underscoring the project's forward momentum. The completion of this electrification work on an elevated section brings Kanpur a step closer to expanding its operational metro network, enhancing connectivity for residents of Naubasta and surrounding areas.
