Driverless metro to be a reality in Chennai
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Driverless metro to be a reality in Chennai

As part of the upcoming phase 2 of the Chennai Metro Rail System, driverless trains will operate for the first time in 2026 on the Ponamala-Powerhouse stretch, which covers 118.9 km of the city.

As of now, there are four-mentor trains running on line 1; Additionally, there will be three three-coach trains on Line 2, followed by six.

An official stated, "The coaches will be connected to the train once they arrive individually." After that, traction testing, train control, management system, passenger information systems, brake system, and other static and dynamic tests would be performed on the train. These tests will begin at Poonamallee depot within the tracks. The delivery of signalling systems will be followed by system integration and further train inspection to identify any glitches or failures. The exact procedure would take between 10 and 12 months to complete.

“As the Poonamallee-Powerhouse stretches a larger section of the corridor for 26.1 km, CMRL has ordered 26 driverless trains to run the stretch.

Phase 1 trains can't run on phase 2 because the design, control, and signalling systems are different. Additionally, the driverless train model and colour for phase 2 have not yet been confirmed. A few additional sets were expected to arrive in October and November. However, the delivery of the first set is already scheduled for August. Before the trains are put into use, they will be certified by the Research Designs and Standards Organization (RDSO).

As part of the upcoming phase 2 of the Chennai Metro Rail System, driverless trains will operate for the first time in 2026 on the Ponamala-Powerhouse stretch, which covers 118.9 km of the city. As of now, there are four-mentor trains running on line 1; Additionally, there will be three three-coach trains on Line 2, followed by six. An official stated, The coaches will be connected to the train once they arrive individually. After that, traction testing, train control, management system, passenger information systems, brake system, and other static and dynamic tests would be performed on the train. These tests will begin at Poonamallee depot within the tracks. The delivery of signalling systems will be followed by system integration and further train inspection to identify any glitches or failures. The exact procedure would take between 10 and 12 months to complete. “As the Poonamallee-Powerhouse stretches a larger section of the corridor for 26.1 km, CMRL has ordered 26 driverless trains to run the stretch. Phase 1 trains can't run on phase 2 because the design, control, and signalling systems are different. Additionally, the driverless train model and colour for phase 2 have not yet been confirmed. A few additional sets were expected to arrive in October and November. However, the delivery of the first set is already scheduled for August. Before the trains are put into use, they will be certified by the Research Designs and Standards Organization (RDSO).

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Asian Energy Services Q1 FY27 PAT Rises 129 Per Cent

Asian Energy Services Limited reported a 129 per cent year-on-year rise in net profit to Rs 128 million for Q1 FY27, compared with the corresponding quarter last year.Revenue increased 135 per cent year-on-year to Rs 2.71 billion, supported by continued momentum across its services business, disciplined execution and contributions from domestic and international operations. EBITDA grew 81 per cent year-on-year during the quarter.As of June 30, 2026, the company’s standalone order book stood at Rs 17.54 billion, with around 60 per cent coming from oil and gas services and 40 per cent from min..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

BioBTX to Build First Commercial-Scale Circular Chemicals Plant

Dutch circular chemistry technology developer BioBTX is building what it says will be the world’s first commercial-scale plant to convert mixed plastic waste into high-quality aromatic chemicals using its proprietary Integrated Catalytic Cracking Process (ICCP) technology.The facility will be built at Chemical Park Delfzijl on the northern coast of the Netherlands and is expected to create 35 jobs. Covestro, which has been a shareholder and strategic partner of BioBTX since 2024, holds a mid-single-digit million-euro investment in the company.BioBTX’s ICCP technology uses catalytic pyrolys..

Next Story
Real Estate

Awfis Q1 FY27 PAT Jumps 140% as Revenue Rises 27%

Awfis Space Solutions reported a 140 per cent year-on-year rise in consolidated profit after tax (PAT) to Rs 240 million for Q1 FY27, compared with Rs 100 million in the corresponding quarter last year.Revenue from operations increased 27 per cent to Rs 4.25 billion from Rs 3.35 billion, while EBITDA rose 28 per cent to Rs 1.62 billion. EBITDA margin improved to 38.2 per cent from 37.8 per cent. Profit before tax increased 135 per cent to Rs 240 million.The company's co-working business recorded 27 per cent year-on-year growth, supported by demand from enterprises, Global Capability Centres (G..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement