Author:
Shri Ekansh Babbar,
Director,
Rallison(LKB Engineering Pvt. Ltd.)
Urban rail networks in India, particularly metro systems, present a unique set of challenges in terms of electrical infrastructure. With the increasing push for sustainable and efficient public transport in densely populated cities, metros are being rapidly expanded, often underground. While this shift enables optimal land use and connectivity, it also raises important concerns around fire safety, system continuity, and long-term cable maintenance.
One of the most critical issues is fire safety in enclosed environments. Underground stations and tunnels inherently restrict natural ventilation, making evacuation and smoke extraction more difficult in the event of a fire. In such situations, the uninterrupted operation of emergency systems—such as fire alarms, evacuation lighting, PA systems, and tunnel ventilation is vital. This is where Fire Survival Cables become a crucial component in system design.
Unlike standard power cables, Fire Survival Cables are designed to maintain circuit integrity for a defined duration even during direct fire exposure. They ensure that emergency equipment continues functioning, supporting evacuation efforts, and minimizing damage. To further mitigate risk, these cables are often manufactured with Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) compounds. In the event of combustion, these materials emit significantly lower levels of smoke and toxic gases, an essential factor in closed environments like metro tunnels, where inhalation of toxic fumes is a leading cause of fatalities during fire incidents.
Another persistent challenge in metro infrastructure is rodent activity. Cables laid in tunnels, basements, and service shafts are often difficult to access post-installation, making preventive measures essential. Rodents not only damage insulation but can also compromise the entire power and signaling network, leading to service disruptions and high replacement costs. To counter this, specially formulated anti-rodent cables were developed by us. These cables are manufactured using compounds that deter rodent attacks, offering long-term protection and operational reliability. Anti-rodent cable solutions were successfully designed for and deployed in Bangalore Metro, where subterranean cabling posed a serious vulnerability to rodent-related damage. The installation has since demonstrated improved reliability with minimal maintenance requirements.
As India’s metro footprint continues to grow and expand to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, there is a growing need for robust electrical solutions tailored to these environments. From fire survival and LSZH cables to anti-rodent variants, the focus must be on durability, safety, and compliance with evolving standards.
Manufacturers and system integrators have an opportunity and a responsibility to adopt best practices in cable selection and specification. The right choice not only enhances safety and reduces lifecycle costs, but also supports the uninterrupted functioning of critical urban infrastructure.
In conclusion, as underground metro networks expand to meet urban mobility demands, the role of specialised cabling solutions becomes increasingly important. By anticipating operational challenges and selecting cables designed for harsh environments, project stakeholders can ensure safety, reliability, and long-term efficiency.
A little about Rallison:
Rallison specializes in manufacturing electrical wires, cables and fire survival cables. In the last 40 years Rallison has worked with over 3500 clients like Mumbai Metro, Delhi Metro, Bangalore Metro, DRDO, ISRO etc. and supplied over 20 crore meters of wires and cables, 100% tested from its in-house NABL accredited lab. Rallison was awarded the National Award for Research and Development for developing fire survival cables with aluminium conductors for the first time in the world. We are always looking to work with stakeholders to develop better solutions which increase safety and performance for infrastructure development. Reach out to us at support@rallison.com for any discussion.
Product Expertise: Rallison | This Product Expertise is a part of our Latest Magazine: Subscribe to our Magazine Today!
Timely insights, straight to your WhatsApp—stay updated with ease!
