Chennai Metro: CMRL floats tender to procure 70 driverless trains

30 Jul 2021 CW Team

Unattended train operation (UTO) or driverless operation, according to CMRL, will be the predominant mode of train operation when the Metro begins operation in phase II. If the UTO is not available for any reason, the train operator will be on board to operate the train in manual mode.

The official told the media that they plan to operate three coach trains at first, with the number of coaches increasing to six if demand grows. A three-car rake can transport 980 passengers, while a six-car rake can transport 1,970. Phase II trains would not have first-class coaches, unlike phase I trains.

The vehicles' maximum allowable operating speed is 80 km per hour, with a design speed of 90 km per hour. According to media reports, the trains could travel an average of 1,50,000 km per year at a minimum average operating speed of 32 kmph during the project's entire fleet operation conditions.

The rakes should have ventilation and air conditioning systems, as well as front and rear end evacuation emergency detrainment doors, according to the tender document. For security and emergency doorway monitoring, the vehicles would also have onboard and external CCTV cameras.

The Tamil Nadu government established a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to carry out the Chennai Metro Rail Project. The Chennai Metro Rail Limited SPV was formed under the Companies Act on 3 December 2007. It has now been converted into a joint venture between the centre and Tamil Nadu, with both governments owning equal stakes.

Image Source

Also read: CMRL gets approval for beautification work of central railway station

Also read: HCC-KEC JV secures Rs 1,147 cr order for Chennai metro project

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has issued tenders for the design, manufacture, testing, and commissioning of 210 cars of standard gauge metro rolling stock for operation in three corridors—Madhavaram to Sipcot, Madhavaram to Sholinganallur and Lighthouse to Poonamallee. Unattended train operation (UTO) or driverless operation, according to CMRL, will be the predominant mode of train operation when the Metro begins operation in phase II. If the UTO is not available for any reason, the train operator will be on board to operate the train in manual mode. The official told the media that they plan to operate three coach trains at first, with the number of coaches increasing to six if demand grows. A three-car rake can transport 980 passengers, while a six-car rake can transport 1,970. Phase II trains would not have first-class coaches, unlike phase I trains. The vehicles' maximum allowable operating speed is 80 km per hour, with a design speed of 90 km per hour. According to media reports, the trains could travel an average of 1,50,000 km per year at a minimum average operating speed of 32 kmph during the project's entire fleet operation conditions. The rakes should have ventilation and air conditioning systems, as well as front and rear end evacuation emergency detrainment doors, according to the tender document. For security and emergency doorway monitoring, the vehicles would also have onboard and external CCTV cameras. The Tamil Nadu government established a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to carry out the Chennai Metro Rail Project. The Chennai Metro Rail Limited SPV was formed under the Companies Act on 3 December 2007. It has now been converted into a joint venture between the centre and Tamil Nadu, with both governments owning equal stakes. Image Source Also read: CMRL gets approval for beautification work of central railway station Also read: HCC-KEC JV secures Rs 1,147 cr order for Chennai metro project

Infrastructure Energy

17 Dec 2025

Vedanta Aluminium Uses 1.57 bn Units of Green Energy in FY25

Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, recently reported consumption of 1.57 billion units of renewable energy in FY25, marking a significant milestone in its 2030 decarbonisation roadmap. The company also achieved an 8.96 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity compared to FY21, reinforcing its leadership in India’s low-carbon manufacturing transition. During FY25, Vedanta Aluminium expanded its renewable energy portfolio through long-term power purchase agreements, strengthening its strategy to source nearly 1,500 MW of renewable power over the lon..

Real Estate

17 Dec 2025

Oberoi Group to Develop Luxury Resort at Makaibari Tea Estate

EIH Limited, the flagship company of The Oberoi Group, has announced the signing of a management agreement to develop an Oberoi luxury resort at the iconic Makaibari Tea Estate in Darjeeling. The project marks a key milestone in the Group’s long-term strategy of creating distinctive hospitality experiences in rare and environmentally significant locations. Established in 1859, Makaibari is one of the world’s oldest tea estates and is globally recognised for its Himalayan landscape, primary forests and exceptional biodiversity. Spread across 1,236 acres, the estate houses one of the world�..

Real Estate

17 Dec 2025

GHV Infra Secures Rs 1.09 Bn EPC Order in Jamshedpur

GHV Infra Projects Ltd, a fast-growing EPC company in India’s infrastructure and construction sector, has recently secured a Rs 1.09 billion work order in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. Awarded by a reputed group entity, the contract covers end-to-end civil construction, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems, along with high-quality finishing works for a large building development. The project will be executed over a 30-month period, with defined benchmarks for quality, safety and timely delivery. The order strengthens GHV Infra’s footprint in Jamshedpur, a key industrial hub known fo..