Chennai Metro News: Chennai’s First Driverless Train Set For Trials

In a significant milestone for Chennai's public transportation system, the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has announced the completion of the city's first driverless train. The train, manufactured by Alstom Transport India Limited at its facility in Sricity, Andhra Pradesh, is expected to be transported to the Poonamallee depot by mid-October, CMRL said in a statement on Monday.

The production process for this groundbreaking train set began on February 8, 2024, with the construction of the car body. According to CMRL, the manufacturing involved various stages, from building the car body to mounting critical equipment.

A ceremonial event on September 22, 2024, marked the train's transition from production to testing. The ceremony, held at 10:00 a.m., was attended by senior officials, including Har Sahay Meena, I.A.S., Principal Secretary of the Special Initiatives Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, and Rajesh Chaturvedi, Director of Systems and Operations at CMRL. Representatives from Alstom, including Anilkumar Saini, Managing Director Rolling Stock, also participated in the event, alongside CMRL's general consultants.

"Upon completion of all static testing at the manufacturer's premises, the train will be delivered to the Poonamalle Depot, as soon as it is completed. It will then undergo various static and dynamic trials within the Phase-2 network tracks, followed by statutory safety verifications, approvals so as to commence passenger revenue operations," the CMRL added.

The new driverless trains will undergo extensive testing, including static trials at the Alstom facility before being delivered to Poonamallee for further dynamic trials on the Phase-2 network tracks. These tests, followed by necessary statutory safety checks and approvals, will pave the way for the trains to commence passenger operations.

The Phase-2 expansion of Chennai Metro Rail involves the procurement of 36 driverless trainsets, each consisting of three cars, making a total of 108 cars. This project, valued at ₹1,215.92 crore, includes not only the design and manufacturing of the trains but also testing, commissioning, and training of personnel, ensuring that Chennai Metro Rail is fully equipped to handle the advanced technology of unattended train operations (UTO).

Upon the successful launch of these driverless trains, Chennai will join the ranks of global cities offering cutting-edge, automated urban transit systems, further cementing its position as a leader in transportation innovation.