Alstom delivers the first driverless trainset for Chennai Metro Phase II

Olivier Loison, Managing Director - Alstom India shared his views on this momentous milestone, “Chennai Metro has become a beacon of efficient and reliable transportation, transforming daily commutes for its residents. We are proud to support this vision by delivering world-class, made-in-India driverless metro trains that not only elevate the commuter experience but also drive sustainable mobility by reducing emissions and easing road congestion. As India’s trusted partner in advancing sustainable transportation, Alstom is committed to strengthening this partnership and reshaping Chennai’s mass transit landscape for a greener future.”

With production started in February 2024, this order aims to deliver 36 trains, each comprising of three cars. These trains are designed to run on the 26 km corridor, a segment of Phase-II linking Poonamallee Bypass to Light House via 28 stations of which 18 elevated and 10 underground.

The project valued at 124 million euros also includes training the Chennai Metro personnel in operation and maintenance. Equipped with Automatic Train Operation (ATO) and Automatic Train Protection (ATP), these metro trains are engineered and designed to operate driverless with Unattended Train Operations (UTO), representing grade of automation level 4 (GOA 4). Thanks to the regenerative braking system, ensuring substantial energy conservation, these trains will offer an efficient, environmentally friendly and comfortable metro solution for passengers of Chennai. Under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, these Metropolis trains have been completely designed in India in Bangalore (Karnataka) and are built at the manufacturing facility in Sri City (Andhra Pradesh).

Since being awarded its first contract by Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) in 2010, Alstom has delivered 208 metro cars for the phase I of the Chennai Metro. Additionally, Alstom has designed, tested, and commissioned track work covering 45 kilometres across these corridors. With the delivery of first trainset of Chennai Metro Phase II, Alstom continues to solidify its commitment to transforming the mobility landscape of Chennai, driving the city towards a more connected and sustainable future.

About Metropolis metros

Alstom’s modern metro trains are serving the different needs of customers worldwide for over 60 years. Designed to fit new and existing infrastructure, Metropolis metro trains can be adapted to multiple capacity needs. With flexible configurations from 2-to-9-cars, small to large gauge profiles, different voltage systems, and individual interior designs, Alstom’s metros can be operated manually or driverless. Metropolis metros feature low noise levels, high recyclability, and optimised energy-efficiency to minimise environmental impact. Over 35,000 metro cars have been ordered or are in operation in more than 70 cities in 40 countries.