Alstom Launches Production of Driverless Trainsets for Chennai Metro

Alstom Transport India Ltd has commenced the production of driverless metro trainsets for the Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) at its manufacturing facility in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh. The milestone was marked on Thursday, with the first trainset slated for delivery to CMRL in August 2024.
Under the contract awarded by CMRL, Alstom will supply 36 driverless (UTO – Unattended Train Operation) trainsets, valued at ₹1,216 crore. These trainsets, each comprising three cars, will be utilized for Chennai Metro's phase-2 project.
The scope of the contract encompasses the design, manufacture, testing, and commissioning of standard gauge metro rolling stock, along with personnel training, spare parts supply, and defect liability, as outlined in a release from Chennai Metro.
Following the manufacturing of car bodies, Alstom will proceed with fitting and final assembly before subjecting the first trainset to rigorous testing and validation at the manufacturer’s premises. Subsequently, the trainset will be delivered to CMRL’s Poonamallee Depot.
Upon delivery, the rolling stock will undergo various static and dynamic trials on the phase-2 network, with statutory approvals expected to be obtained for passenger revenue operations to commence in 2025, according to CMRL.
Capable of accommodating up to 1,000 passengers, these three-car trains feature regenerative electric braking for energy efficiency and advanced passenger announcement systems for timely updates, setting a new standard in urban transit, the release highlighted. The exterior and interior design of these trains resemble the existing Chennai Metro trains.
According to Alstom's release, the trains are designed for a safe speed of 90 kmph and an operational speed of 80 kmph, intended to operate on the 26 km corridor of Phase-II, which links Poonamallee Bypass to Light House via 28 stations, including 18 elevated and 10 underground stations.
The production commencement was marked by a ceremonial event attended by leaders from Chennai Metro Rail Ltd and Alstom India.
Alstom has a track record of delivering driverless metro trains worldwide, including in cities like Singapore, Sydney, Dubai, and Montreal, reaffirming its expertise in this domain, according to company sources.
While Chennai Metro is not the first in India to operate driverless trains, Phase 2 will be the first to deploy driverless trains from the inception of passenger service, operating in GoA4 mode. Initially, Delhi Metro operated in GoA2 mode before transitioning to driverless trains (GoA4).
Alstom has previously delivered 208 metro cars for the first phase and extensions of Corridor-I and Corridor-II of Chennai Metro, along with designing, testing, and commissioning track works covering 45 km of corridors I & II.
HBL