Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has signed a Rs 483.3 million contract with Faiveley Transport Rail Technologies India Pvt Ltd to upgrade passenger safety systems across its Phase-1 trains. The initiative will introduce an advanced anti-drag door safety feature in all 52 trainsets operating on the Blue and Green lines.

At present, Chennai Metro trains are equipped with automatic sliding doors featuring obstacle detection sensors that prevent closure when an object obstructs the doorway. The new system, however, will be capable of detecting thinner items such as sarees, bag straps, or belts that may become trapped during boarding or alighting. If the train begins to move while such an item remains caught, the system will automatically apply the emergency brake and alert the train operator via the driver’s console.

While CMRL has reported zero incidents of door entrapment since operations began, the authority stated that the upgrade is a proactive step to further enhance commuter safety. The same anti-drag technology will also be incorporated into all trains currently being procured under Phase-2 of the Chennai Metro project.

In a related development, CMRL inaugurated additional passenger amenities at Saidapet Metro Station, including new entry gates, a ticket office machine, and an excess fare office on the Todd Hunter Nagar side. The facilities were formally opened on Monday by a daily commuter, Dilshad Banu, in the presence of senior CMRL officials.

CMRL also marked the commencement of Vigilance Awareness Week 2025 by holding an integrity pledge ceremony at its headquarters, aligning with this year’s theme—“Vigilance: Our Shared Responsibility.”