Chennai: CMRL on track to procure ‘driverless’ trains
After inviting bids for constructing the 118.9km phase-2 project, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is on track to procure trains, which will be driverless, by floating a tender notice.
When operations begin in six years, CMRL plans to operate 138 three-car trains of which 42 are likely to be leased to save cost of procurement and operation. Construction of the three-corridor phase is likely to begin by mid-2021 and the section between Power House and Poonamallee is to be taken up first.
According to the tender notice, CMRL has called for design, manufacture, supply testing, commission of standard gauge metro rolling stock (electric multiple units) and training of personnel for phase-2 project. Though the notice does not have technical specifications for the rolling stock, the detailed project report states that at some point, train operation may be driverless and that signalling system and rolling stock shall be procured accordingly.
“Signalling software required to operate a driverless train is different from the existing trains operated on phase-1. So, we cannot operate a train designed for phase-2 on phase-1 lines though the rolling stock may look the same,” an official said earlier.
