Metro Rail’s first driverless train to arrive only by end of next month

Metro Rail’s first driverless train to arrive only by end of next month

Running late: The train was expected to reach the city by

the last week of August, but it is delayed.Representative image

Sunitha Sekar

CHENNAI  21.08.2024 

The arrival of Chennai Metro Rail’s first driverless train for the phase II project has been delayed and is likely to reach only by the end of September.

The train had been expected to reach the city in the last week of August but now, the arrival date has been deferred since work has not been completed yet, sources said.

CMRL awarded the contract at ₹1,215.92 crore and production of the first train took off in February this year, with August as the target for delivery.

“But there is going to be no impact even if the train comes next month. Anyway, there is a delay in the construction and track work on the elevated viaduct between Poonamallee to Porur (where the train has to be tested), which will be completed only by March next year. Even if the train is here in September, we will finish the testing in about 4-5 months and be made ready for the trials only in March next year,” a source said.

When the train, which is manufactured in Sri City, is transported to the Poonamallee Depot in Chennai, a number of tests will be done.

The coaches will be linked together and all the components will be examined. Then, the power supply will be provided.

“Next, we will move the train to the 820-metre test track in the depot, where the train will be operated for the first time, and then the dynamic testing will begin. We will also check the acceleration and deceleration, the brake system, and see if the train is able to run up to 90 kmph,” an official said.

Subsequently, the integration of the testing of the train and signalling system will begin, and these processes will go for about 4-5 months. Once it is completed, the train will be brought to the elevated viaduct between Poonamallee and Porur for testing.