Driverless Metro train coaches from China reach Bengaluru

The prototype train consisting of six cars is manufactured by the China-based CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co Ltd. while the rest of the coaches will be manufactured with their domestic partners Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd, as part of the Make In India initiative.

The first driverless train set of six coaches arrived in Bengaluru (Express Photo)

The Chinese firm won a Rs 1,578 crore contract in 2019 to supply 216 coaches to BMRCL. These driverless trains will be introduced as part of the communication-based train control (CBTC) signalling system which is a modern communication-based system that uses radio communication to transfer timely and accurate train control information.

According to BMRCL officials, the prototype train is expected to be up for mainline testing on the 18.82 km stretch connecting R V Road and Bommasandra (Reach 5) by March after undergoing a series of tests at the depot level.

Of the 216 coaches, 90 coaches will be deployed on Reach 5 while the rest will be divided between Reach 1 lines (Purple and Green), BMRCL officials said.

The prototype will undergo basic tests at the depot including signalling and tracking, among other things, under the supervision of Chinese engineers. By the end of February or early March, the trains will be set for mainline testing on the Yellow Line. The test results will later be submitted to the chief commissioner of railway safety for review, following which the entire process will take at least four to five months before making the Yellow Line operational.

Initially, the Yellow Line was scheduled for operations in 2021 but because of the delay in supplying the coaches, the deadline was pushed to mid-2024.

The Reach 5 project is being undertaken at a cost of Rs 5,744 Crore. This Metro stretch aims to enhance connectivity to the IT hub in Electronic City and reduce traffic congestion on Hosur Road.

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