Chennai Metro News: When Will The Trial Run Of First Driverless Train Be Flagged Off?

Chennai is gearing up for the launch of its first driverless metro train, a major milestone in the city's transportation network.

While the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is yet to announce the official inauguration date, preparations for the trial run are in full swing. According to a report by The Hindu, the trial is expected to take place after October 15, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister likely to flag off the first driverless train.

A source told the English daily: "As soon as the train arrives from Sri City, all systems in the coaches will be tested, both individually and in conjunction with each other. Preparations are underway at the ballasted test track in Poonamallee Depot, where the driverless train will undergo its first trial run."

On February 8, this year, the production of this train set started with the construction of the car body. The manufacturing process at Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, involved several stages, from building the car body to installing critical equipment.

However, the train will undergo several tests before delivery. An official said, "We will repeat these checks in the depot. Before the actual trial, we will move the train forward and backward slowly, and then begin the dynamic test. This process will continue,"

The Phase-2 expansion of the Chennai Metro involves the procurement of 36 driverless trainsets, each with three cars, totaling 108 cars. The project, valued at Rs 1,215.92 crore, covers the design, manufacturing, testing, and commissioning of the trains, as well as the training of personnel to handle the advanced Unattended Train Operations (UTO) technology.

According to an earlier report by Daily Thanthi, 62 driverless metro trains were under production in Sri City, with the project making significant progress. The upcoming trial run is expected to mark a new era for Chennai's public transportation system, as the city embraces cutting-edge technology in its metro services.