Bengaluru Receives First Driverless Metro

Major Indian cities are progressing rapid metro rail development by incorporating next-generation driverless train technologies set to transform urban transportation. Both Bengaluru and Chennai have made strides on this front recently.

Bengaluru Receives First Driverless Metro

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has received its first 6-coach prototype driverless metro train supplied by a Chinese manufacturer as part of a larger deal. It would operate on one of the high-tech metro lines connecting the city center to the IT hub.

In 2019, CRCC Nanjing Puzhen Ltd won the contract to supply 216 coaches to Bengaluru Metro Rail Transport Corporation Limited (BMRCL) and this prototype train. The train will be assembled at Electronics City, and a team of Chinese engineers will monitor the assembling activity.

Bengaluru Metro Expansion Details

Trains for Yellow Line

The newly arrived train would run along the upcoming Yellow Line metro corridor from RV Road to Electronics City IT cluster via Silk Board junction. The 18.2 km elevated section aims to serve office commuters. These driverless trains run at a frequency of 90 seconds, and each coach is 21 meters long.

Total Trains and Coaches Procured

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has placed orders for 216 coaches from the Chinese supplier, which would be made into 15 trains of 6 coaches each totaling 90 cars operational along just the Yellow Line.
Two more trains are expected to reach Bengaluru by May and two trains every month starting in June.

Trail Runs Upcoming

As the first vehicle delivered is a prototype unit, BMRCL would conduct extensive trial runs before commencing passenger services to validate reliability, safety and performance.

Chennai Initiates Work on Driverless Metro Trains

Production Begins

Chennai Metro Rail Limited has also commenced manufacturing 36 trains of 3 coaches each, totaling 108 cars, based on the driverless metro project contract awarded to Alstom Transport India worth ₹1216 crore.

The manufacturing of the car body for the first train commenced at Alstom Transport India’s premises at Sri City, about 55 km north of Chennai.

Features of New Trains

Spacious gangways, emergency doors, fire systems and obstacle warning enhance passenger safety and experience. Advanced systems would enable remote monitored operations without on-board drivers.

The trains are equipped with regenerative electric braking for energy efficiency, while advanced passenger announcement systems provide timely updates.

Roll Out Timelines

The first train is scheduled for completion by August 2024 with production of the entire batch spanning about 18 months. Dynamic testing would precede initiation of driverless services by 2025 after statutory approvals.

Category: India Nation & States Current Affairs