In this system, a second rail track, also known as a live rail, electric rail, or conductor rail, was added beside the conventional railway tracks to carry electricity at a voltage of about 600 to 750 Volts, ensuring the train will run without interruption.

PUNE: The unique “third rail system” is poised to make its debut on the Pune Metro Line 3 or “Puneri Metro,” which will do away with electric poles and tangled overhead wires on the metro tracks.

In this system, a live rail, electric rail, or conductor rail was added next to the regular railway rails to carry electricity at a voltage of 600 to 750 volts, ensuring the uninterrupted and smooth functioning of the train. The “third rail system” is a technique for powering an electric train by placing a semi-continuous rigid conductor next to or in the middle of the moving railroad tracks.

A tried-and-true method of supplying power to railroad trains is the third rail system, which is characterized by a rail running parallel to the rails and painted with recognizable yellow markings. Metal contact blocks, commonly referred to as “shoes,” which are installed on trains, make direct contact with the conductor rail, enabling a continuous and uninterrupted power supply. 750 V DC Third Rail, 1500 V DC Overhead Catenary, and 25 kV AC Overhead Catenary are three common and well-known electric traction systems that are now in operation throughout India.

The 23 km, elevated Pune Metro Line 3 runs from Shivajinagar, the city’s financial sector, through the IT powerhouse of Hinjewadi. The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) selected a team made up of Siemens Project Ventures GmbH and TRIL Urban Transport Private Limited (TUTPL) of the Tata Group to carry out this public-private partnership (PPP) project. A special purpose company (SPV), Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited (PITCMRL), will develop and manage the project on a design, build, finance, operate, and transfer (DBFOT) basis for a concession period of 35 years, excluding the time required for construction.

PITCMRL claims that this technology, which is being used for the first time in Pune, will revolutionize how the metro obtains its electrical power in addition to being a huge advancement in dependable and sustainable urban transportation.

The Pune Metro Line 3 will be the first to introduce third rail technology to the city, demonstrating its dedication to innovation and sustainability, according to Alok Kapoor, chief executive officer of PITCMRL. The third rail system’s unobtrusiveness is one of its main benefits. The third rail system is unaffected by bird or kite interference, unlike conventional overhead equipment systems that are. By using this innovation, the Pune Metro Line 3 will be integrated into the city’s skyline and help create an aesthetically pleasant urban environment.

Source- Hindustan times