Old Gurgaon Metro Project Eyes Rapid‑Train Look, Seeks German Funding for New Coaches
Gurgaon Metro Rail Limited plans rapid‑train style coaches for the Old Gurgaon line, targeting 28 train sets with 3‑coach units initially and seeking financing from Germany’s KfW.
The Old Gurgaon Metro will feature rapid‑train‑like trains, with 28 sets planned. Officials are negotiating funding with German lender KfW for the rolling stock.
Gurgaon Metro, Old Gurgaon Metro, GMRL, KfW financing, rapid train, metro coaches, German funding, Indian rail infrastructure, public transport, Haryana transport
Gurgaon (Yashlok Singh) – Work on the Old Gurgaon Metro Rail project continues unabated, with recent developments indicating that the new trains will resemble rapid‑train services in appearance and operation. Gurgaon Metro Rail Limited (GMRL) is actively pursuing financing from the German development bank KfW to procure the required rolling stock, and discussions are presently ongoing.
German representatives are currently in Gurgaon, reviewing the project on a point‑by‑point basis and conducting on‑site inspections. According to sources familiar with the negotiations, GMRL intends to purchase a total of 28 train sets, each initially comprising three coaches. The first phase will therefore feature three‑coach configurations, with the provision to extend each train to six coaches as passenger demand grows.
Each three‑coach train is projected to accommodate between 757 and 978 passengers, while a six‑coach formation could carry between 1,576 and 2,040 travelers. These capacity figures are crucial, as the rolling stock directly influences operational efficiency, passenger comfort, and overall service attractiveness on the corridor.
The planned coaches will measure 19.9 metres in length and 2.8 metres in width. Constructed from lightweight aluminium, the bodies are designed to reduce overall weight, thereby improving energy efficiency. Additionally, the trains will be equipped with regenerative braking systems that capture kinetic energy during deceleration and feed it back into the power supply, further enhancing sustainability.
Once the financing agreement between GMRL and KfW is finalised, the procurement process for the coaches is expected to accelerate. GMRL has expressed confidence that, after the financial treaty is signed, the tender for the rolling stock will be issued promptly. Pre‑bidding meetings have already taken place with several manufacturers, including BEML and other domestic and international firms.
According to the Detailed Project Report (DPR), the rapid‑train‑style service will initially operate with three‑coach trains, but the design allows for seamless expansion to six coaches without extensive infrastructure alterations. This flexibility is intended to meet future ridership growth while keeping operational costs in check.
GMRL officials have indicated that they aim to launch the first phase of operations within the stipulated timeline, contingent upon the timely completion of all financial and procurement milestones. Nevertheless, sources caution that the overall process may still require considerable time, as both Indian and German authorities must endorse the financial agreement before tendering can commence.
The collaboration with KfW reflects a broader trend of Indian metro projects seeking foreign expertise and funding to incorporate advanced technologies and achieve higher standards of service. If successful, the Old Gurgaon Metro could set a benchmark for future urban rail projects across the country, showcasing how rapid‑train aesthetics and modern rolling stock can be combined with Indian public‑transport needs.
As of 26 June 2026, the project remains in the financing and tender‑preparation stage, with the expectation that procurement will pick up speed once the German loan is secured. Stakeholders, including commuters, local businesses, and municipal authorities, are closely monitoring the developments, hopeful that the new metro line will soon alleviate traffic congestion and provide a fast, reliable alternative for daily travel in Gurgaon.
