Alstom is poised to secure a contract for the manufacture of 32 additional driverless trains for Chennai Metro Rail’s Phase II project, having emerged as the lowest bidder for the production of 96 coaches (32 three-coach trains).

Alstom had previously bagged the first contract for 36 three-coach driverless trains, of which three have already arrived in Chennai. The second contract was awarded to BEML Limited for the production of 70 three-coach trains.

Passenger Capacity & Features Each three-coach train can accommodate 900 passengers, compared to 1,200 passengers per trip in Phase I. Bid value: Rs 15.38 billion (awaiting final approval from the State government’s high-level committee). New Features: Dynamic route maps (8 per coach, compared to 4 in Phase I). USB charging points (absent in Phase I). 24 CCTV cameras per train, including track, overhead equipment, and platform monitoring. Enhanced Safety & Automation The new trains incorporate obstacle and derailment detection systems to automatically stop the train if an object is detected on the tracks. This aims to prevent incidents like those in Phase I, where maintenance equipment was accidentally left on the tracks.

With Chennai Metro planning to go fully driverless, these enhanced safety features will be monitored from the Operation Control Centre, ensuring seamless and secure operations.