In view of the tensions with China, the UP government has decided to take away the metro projects of Agra and Kanpur from Chinese companies and give them to India-based companies.

The Chinese company CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Company Ltd was disqualified in the technical bidding process on the basis of ‘not having enough experience’. Instead, Indian firm Bombardier qualified for the financial bid and was given the Letter of Acceptance by the UP Metro Rail corporation last week.

The project of providing rolling stock for the two city metros has now been given to Bombardier India Ltd. which will supply the rolling stock from its Gujarat-based plant. Built entirely in India, the metro trains will have three coaches each and a total of 67 trains will be supplied to both cities, with 39 trains going to Kanpur and 28 to Agra. One train can carry 980 passengers, which means each coach will have a capacity of 315-350 passengers.

Sources connected to the metro project confirmed that the rolling stock and signalling were offered on an international bid in which four companies had participated. The Chinese company was declared ineligible to bid and the contract was awarded to Bombardier India Ltd. The Yogi Adityanath government has promised to inaugurate the metro project in Agra by 2021. Two routes have already been finalized for the metro and the first train set should arrive in 65 weeks. UP Metro Rail Corporation MD Kumar Keshav said that the trains will run at speeds of 80 kmph in Agra and Kanpur.