Bengaluru: Prototype of driverless Metro train for Electronics City revealed; trains likely to arrive from China by Oct

The first two sets of six-car trains (12 coaches) will be coming from China, while the remaining 204 coaches will be indigenously manufactured by Titagarh Rail in India.

Bengaluru's first driverless train set, which will be deployed on the Yellow Line (RV Road-Bommasandra), is expected to arrive from China by October.

The Yellow Line connects Electronics City, home to companies like Infosys and Biocon, to South Bengaluru.

 Moneycontrol accessed exclusive pictures of prototype of the rolling stock from China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC)’s  factory. This is the first time that a rolling stock manufacturer, other than Bengaluru-based BEML, is supplying coaches to the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL). Currently, BMRCL operates 57 trains, all manufactured by BEML.

The first two sets of six-car trains (12 coaches) will be coming from China, while the remaining 204 coaches will be indigenously manufactured by Titagarh Rail in India.

Sources say a team of BMRCL engineers is in China for the factory acceptance test (FAT). "Factory acceptance tests to check the operation of train systems are in progress. There are some issues with signalling and rolling stock interface that are currently being resolved. Once the factory acceptance testing is completed, the first two trains will be transported from China to Chennai port by October. They will then reach Bengaluru from Chennai by road. Once they arrive in Bengaluru, trial runs and testing will be conducted," said a source.

Sources said CRRC engineers from China are facing visa issues to travel to Bengaluru for testing and commissioning of trains. There are also delays in procuring the propulsion systems for trains, which are set to arrive from Japan.

Driverless technology

BMRCL officials said driverless trains will be introduced as part of the Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system for the Yellow Line. This is the first time that CBTC, commonly called 'driverless technology,' will be used in Bengaluru Metro. Currently, Namma Metro uses the DTG (distance-to-go) signalling system, in which the time between two trains is two and a half minutes. However, CBTC can reduce train headway to less than 90 seconds.

Although BMRCL can operate driverless trains on the Yellow Line, it has decided to continue deploying loco pilots to allay passenger fears.

Siemens Mobility is implementing its CBTC system and automated train technology for the Yellow Line. "GoA 4 is the highest grade of automation that allows trains to be automatically controlled and operated. Siemens Mobility will install its CBTC system across the Yellow Line, which will feature electronic interlockings, an automatic train protection and supervision system, as well as a telecommunication system. The automated signalling and train operations will allow BMRCL to run trains 90 seconds apart, providing greater availability and an enhanced passenger experience," Siemens Mobility had said in a statement.

Also read: PM Modi inaugurates India's first-ever driverless train operations on Delhi Metro's Magenta Line

 Yellow Line likely to be operational in Q1 2024

Sources said Yellow Line will only become operational in Q1 2024. However, BMRCL managing director Anjum Parwez told Moneycontrol, "The first two trains will reach Bengaluru from China by October. Earlier, they were supposed to arrive in September, but there were some issues. Some of our engineers are in China. We are planning to complete all work by December 2023." He added that they can commence operations on Yellow Line with seven trains.

Titagarh Rail Systems MD and CEO Umesh Chowdhary, in an interview with Moneycontrol, said all 216 coaches for the BMRCL will be delivered by March 2025. Out of the 216 coaches, 126 (21 six-coach trains) will be deployed on the Purple and Green lines, while the remaining 90 coaches (15 six-coach trains) are designated for the Yellow Line.

In December 2019, the Chinese company CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co. Ltd. was awarded the contract to supply 216 coaches, with an expected delivery to BMRCL within 173 weeks. However, the supply was delayed due to challenges faced by CRRC in identifying a local manufacturer to meet the 75 percent local production requirement under the Make in India initiative, as well as factors like Covid-19, foreign direct investment policies, and trade restrictions with China. Subsequently, CRRC partnered with Kolkata-based Titagarh Rail to manufacture and supply the coaches.

"CRRC and Titagarh must provide a minimum of 8-10 trains for BMRCL to begin operations on the Yellow Line. Once the train sets are received, testing and trial runs are expected to take considerable time. The Lucknow-based Research, Design, and Standards Organisation (RDSO) of the Union Railway Ministry will be responsible for overseeing tests, including oscillation and emergency braking distance trials. Spare trains should also be available for maintenance purposes, as BMRCL cannot deploy all trains for commercial operations," said an expert. "Due to the potential delays in the supply of rolling stock and the subsequent procedures, commercial operations of the Yellow Line could be pushed to the first quarter of next year," he said.

While the entire Yellow Line was initially expected to be operational by 2021, the deadline was revised multiple times. The Yellow Line will greatly benefit residents of areas such as Jayanagar, BTM Layout, and HSR Layout, as well as employees working in Electronics City and Bommasandra Industrial Area.

The Yellow Line has 16 stations: Rashtreeya Vidyalaya Road (RV Road), Ragigudda, Jayadeva Hospital, BTM Layout, Central Silk Board, Bommanahalli (HSR Layout), Hongasandra (Oxford College), Kudlu Gate (Muneshwara Nagar), Singasandra (Chikkabegur), Hosa Road (Basapura Road), Beratena Agrahara (Hosa Road), Electronic City, Infosys Foundation Konappana Agrahara (Electronic City – II), Huskur Road, Hebbagodi, and Bommasandra.