Chennai Metro Rail has awarded the signalling contract for the Phase II project to a consortium of Hitachi Rail STS SPA and Hitachi Rail STS India at a value of Rs 16.20 billion. The construction for this phase is in progress across the city.

According to officials of Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL), this is the largest signalling tender to be executed by it. The contractor will have to design, manufacture, supply, instal, test and commission the signalling, train control and video management system.

In the new system, the trains will be able to run with a minimum frequency of 90 seconds, unlike the Phase I project. The new system, called communication-based train control (CBTC), will enable automatic train operation without need of any operators, according to a press release.

Apart from driverless operations, the system is equipped to integrate other aspects like automatic train movement at the depot where all trains will be stationed, functioning of platform screen doors and passenger information and display systems. “This system enables real time streaming of video for management, monitoring and control from a centralised operation control centre (OCC),” the release said.

Since these are driverless trains, there will be intensive testing for several parameters to ensure the safety of passengers. An independent safety assessment team will certify the system, which will be in accordance with international standards.

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