The first driverless train of the Chennai Metro Rail, built as a part of the ambitious Rs 63,246 crore Phase II project, has been completed and is expected to arrive at the Poonamallee depot by mid-October.
The driverless trains were manufactured at a cost of Rs 1,125.92 crore. Production of the first train began seven months ago in Sri City, with the first delivery scheduled for August. However, due to delays in procuring some components, the delivery deadline was pushed back, and the train is now expected to reach Chennai by the end of October.
Though the construction work is now complete, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) officials said the train will have to undergo several tests before it is moved to the Poonamallee depot. The first phase of static testing will take place at the Sri City facility. This testing phase commissions all the systems.
“We do not expect any further delay, and the train should arrive next month,” said a CMRL official. “We will start testing once it arrives.” “This minor delay will not affect the overall progress of Phase II as we plan to complete the inspection and testing in the next five months, which aligns with the ongoing viaduct work between Poonamallee and Porur,” he told The Hindu.
The Poonamallee-Porur section of Corridor 4, under the second phase of the Chennai Metro project, will test the first driverless train. The trials will begin on this section after the completion of the viaduct construction, which is expected to be completed in the same five months. The train is set to operate on this corridor by the end of next year after successful trials.
“Once the viaduct between Poonamallee and Porur is ready, we will begin trials on this section,” the official said. These trials will ensure smooth operation of the driverless train before it is rolled out for public use.”
The train coaches will undergo a series of complex tests after their arrival. The coaches will be inducted first, followed by rigorous testing of several systems, such as the passenger information system, pantographs, brakes, heating, ventilation and air arrangements, and the train control management system.
The fully automated trains, equipped with state-of-the-art safety features and cutting-edge technology, are expected to operate more efficiently than their predecessors, giving Chennaites a smooth and faster travel experience.