Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is on the brink of a transformative milestone as it gears up to introduce driverless trains, marking a significant advancement in urban transportation technology.
Set to debut as early as August, the arrival of driverless trains signifies a significant leap forward in Chennai’s metro rail system, promising enhanced efficiency, safety, and passenger experience. The imminent introduction of driverless trains comes amid CMRL’s ambitious expansion plans, with the procurement of 138 trainsets for phase 2, covering a sprawling distance of 116.1 kilometres by 2028. These expansion efforts underscore CMRL’s commitment to meeting the growing demands of Chennai’s urban population while embracing cutting-edge technology to elevate the city’s public transportation infrastructure.
As part of the preparations for the rollout, CMRL has unveiled plans to deploy three-car trainsets to serve the 26-kilometre stretch encompassing 28 metro stations. This strategic move aims to accommodate the anticipated surge in passenger traffic efficiently, ensuring seamless connectivity and convenience for commuters across the metro network. Furthermore, CMRL’s vision for the future includes the development of an elevated stretch on corridor-4, slated for launch in 2025, connecting Powerhouse in Kodambakkam to Poonamallee Bypass. The construction of the Poonamallee depot, currently underway, signifies a crucial step towards bolstering operational capabilities and maintenance infrastructure for the expanded metro network.
In line with its commitment to passenger comfort and convenience, CMRL has unveiled a slew of innovative features for the new driverless trains. These include ergonomically designed perch seats, CCTV surveillance, charging sockets, grab handles tailored for women, wheelchair-accessible spaces, and LCD screens for real-time information and entertainment. Moreover, CMRL’s meticulous planning extends to ensuring operational readiness for the new driverless trains, with strategic adjustments such as bypassing certain stations until they are fully operational. This proactive approach underscores CMRL’s dedication to delivering a seamless and reliable metro experience for passengers, even amidst ongoing infrastructure development.
As Chennai Metro Rail embarks on this transformative journey towards driverless technology, the city’s commuters can look forward to a future of enhanced mobility, connectivity, and efficiency in urban transportation. With the imminent arrival of driverless trains, Chennai takes a significant stride towards realising its vision of a modern, sustainable, and inclusive public transit system. As stated by a CMRL official, one trainset will arrive in August, and six more are expected to arrive in the next two months. “But before the first train arrives, we must complete laying of ballastless tracks on the elevated line in the corridor by July,” he added.
