VT for an “Architectural Marvel”

Jasmin Patel (JP), executive director-R&D and overseas business, and Shalin Patel (SP), executive director-Operation, Orbis Elevator Co. Ltd., share with your author (SSP) the significance of supplying VT to the recently revamped Rani Kamalapati Railway Station in Bhopal.

SSP: Describe the selection process for providing elevators, escalators and moving walks at the Rani Kamalapati Railway Station in Bhopal. When was it completed?

JP & SP: The Rani Kamalapati Railway Station is the first International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-certified, public-private partnership model railway station in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. It can be described as an architectural marvel. It is one of the dream projects of the Honorable Prime Minister of India (Narendra Modi), whose vision it is to provide modern facilities to every Indian citizen. The newly redeveloped railway station demanded integrated, multimodal vertical-transportation (VT) equipment for ease of mobility. The stringent selection criteria were focused on qualifying manufacturers able to provide safe and robust products suitable for mass passenger transport and, at times, harsh environmental conditions. The criteria also included experience executing similar projects of national importance and proven service track records. The bid evaluations included discussions with technical experts from the national authorities, and were concluded at the end of 2018.

SSP: At which stage was Orbis chosen as the provider of elevators, escalators and moving walks for the project, and what deadlines were stipulated? On which key parameters did Orbis score highly? 

JP & SP: The post-traffic analysis recommendation that Orbis provide elevators, escalators and moving walks underwent technical scrutiny and comparisons with other players participating in this project. Key parameters included a zero-accident credential, expertise to execute megaprojects, short manufacturing and installation lead times, a history of quality installations, service setup and proven service track record. Orbis scored highly on all parameters as a preferred solution provider for this project. The company’s comprehensive solutions played a vital role in qualifying it for this megaproject. 

SSP: Which models of elevators, escalators and moving walks (with key features like capacity) were chosen for the project, and which key qualities made them ideal for their purpose?

JP & SP: Orbis installed seven Nexus 175 elevators with glass doors having capacities of 13, 16 and 24 passengers. The elevators facilitate safe access for handicapped passengers to travel across all platforms. Thirteen heavy-duty, Roto 35 outdoor escalators ease movement for incoming and outgoing passenger traffic flow at both sides of the station entries, ensuring the highest safety. Six heavy-duty Roto 10 outdoor moving walks provide direct access from the air concourse to the platforms. Orbis’ dedicated and experienced workforce helped achieve full installation within the defined timeframe. Orbis’ quality checks at every stage of installation created a foundation for reliable and safe operation of each piece of equipment and made the brand ideal for the purpose.

SSP: Describe the energy-saving aspects of these elevators, escalators and moving walks. 

JP & SP: Microprocessor-based, gearless passenger elevators with variable-voltage, variable-frequency (VVVF) technology contribute to energy savings. Sleep mode ensures automatic light and fan cut-off, enhancing energy conservation. Microprocessor-based escalators and moving walks with infrared sensor-based intermittent operations and VVVF drive technology also contribute to the lowest possible total energy consumption. BMS (building management system) integration of all equipment enables close monitoring, ultimately resulting in power savings during off-peak hours.

SSP: How was unit placement within the project planned and implemented? How does the equipment facilitate access to different areas of the overall project and its amenities?

JP & SP: Placement of equipment within the project was planned through an in-depth study of existing traffic congestion areas and the ability to handle future integrated passenger movement through metro rail, bus port and rail-corridor projects. 

The escalators separate incoming and outgoing traffic from both sides of the station entries. Perfect integration of escalators ensures passenger flow to the central air concourse and the intermediate floor to access passenger amenities like retiring rooms, dormitories, tourism offices and the cafeteria. A modern air concourse with a handling capacity of 700 people was introduced at Rani Kamalapati Railway Station for the first time. Orbis elevators, escalators and moving walks are smartly connected to all platforms in a central air concourse, which helps passengers choose a mode of VT that’s convenient for them. Proper guiding signage, instructions and safety information on all units provide seamless passenger movements.

“Orbis’ quality checks at every stage of installation created a foundation for reliable and safe operation of each piece of equipment and made the brand ideal for the purpose.”

SSP: What challenges did Orbis face during installation and integration of sustainability features?

JP & SP: Located in central India, Rani Kamalapati is one of the country’s busiest railway stations. Traffic flows to this station from all the corners of the country. Massive traffic flow was one of the challenges that the Orbis execution team faced when storing, moving and installing heavy equipment in high-traffic areas. 

Apart from this, while placing the equipment, the execution team had to take all precautions to protect people and equipment from high-voltage traction lines and moving trains. All hoisting and placing activities had to be carried out during off-peak hours, late at night or early in the morning. The most challenging task was ensuring the safety of passengers passing through work areas. The team’s safety awareness initiatives included rechecking all safety arrangements around the clock to ensure passenger safety. Notifications from local authorities about restricted movement during the pandemic brought added challenges for Orbis employees, as well as the materials logistics teams, to fulfill project needs with required precautionary measures. The dedication of and steps undertaken by the Orbis team made it possible to execute and deliver this megaproject on schedule.

SSP: For which other infrastructure projects has Orbis provided VT? 

JP & SP: Through the years, Orbis has been involved in many challenging projects of national importance in which technical expertise and capabilities were demonstrated in design, manufacture, supply, execution and after-sales service. With an experienced and dedicated workforce, Orbis has ensured its presence in the public, private and corporate sectors. Orbis products have been successfully installed and are operational in various sectors, such as airports, railway stations, hospitals, hotels, corporate housing, educational institutions, medium and large-scale industries, government buildings and low-, medium-and high-rise residential and commercial projects, both in India and overseas.

SSP: How does it feel to have been associated with such a prestigious project inaugurated by the prime minister?

JP & SP: Orbis is proud to be a part of India’s first world-class, ISO-certified, green railway station. The company is always ready to contribute all its resources to our reforming nation.

Under the objective of transforming communities from “Very Important Persons (VIPs)” to “Every Person Important (EPI),” we support the vision of the honorable prime minister to provide world-class facilities to every Indian citizen. Rani Kamalapati Railway Station is the country’s first railway-station project where the highest number of VT units are installed.

SSP: Many railway stations are being revamped to airport standards. Do you feel this will be a new demand driver for the VT industry?

JP & SP: Under the honorable prime minister’s Gati Shakti National Master Plan, all 16 ministries — including railways and roadways — were brought together for integration, planning, coordination and implementation of infrastructure and connectivity projects to envision India as a hub of world-class infrastructure. Multimodal connectivity will provide integrated and seamless connectivity to people, goods and services. Under this plan, 175 railway station projects are slated for redevelopment to airport-like standards. Orbis certainly feels this will create new demand and drive opportunity for the VT industry.

About Orbis’ Leaders

Jasmin Patel, Executive Director, R&D and Overseas Business 

Jasmin holds a master’s degree in engineering, specializing in IT, from the University of Ballarat in Australia. He brings a decade of diverse experience to Orbis. He is passionate about developing global business opportunities with an intense focus on R&D. He strives to deliver high-quality, safe and innovative products that meet international standards, and is focused on expanding business in other continents.

Shalin Patel, Executive Director, Operations

Shalin graduated from J.T. Mahajan College of Engineering in Faizpur, India, with a diploma in electronics and communications engineering. He has two decades of experience handling operations. His areas of interest are customer satisfaction, timely delivery, execution and uninterrupted service support. He believes that modernization of existing VT equipment will be the future demand driver in the VT industry.