How a two-headed bird and Lalbagh glass house inspired Bengaluru Metro's driverless train design

Driverless trains have borrowed elements from two of Karnataka’s icons – Lalbagh glass house and the mythological two-headed bird in the state emblem, Gandaberunda, for their exterior design.

The 18.8-km Bengaluru Metro’s Yellow Line, which links RV Road with Bommasandra is likely to be operational by December 2024 and trains will start running at a frequency of 15 minutes at the start.

While Yellow Line was supposed to be completed by 2021, it missed several deadlines due to multiple reasons. This corridor will connect Electronics City, home to major companies like Infosys and Biocon, and RV Road in South Bengaluru.

“We might commence operations with seven trains, which will include one standby train. They will be operated at a frequency of 15 minutes in the beginning. Frequency will be increased once we get additional trains,” Jithendra Jha, project manager for rolling stock at Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), said.

Also, read: Bengaluru to debut driverless trains: All you need to know

These trains are part of the Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) System, commonly known as 'Driverless Technology'. It also reduces the headway to 90 seconds from the existing two and a half minutes. Although these trains are compatible with driverless operation, BMRCL will deploy loco pilots to operate the train initially.

Track and signalling work between Bommasandra and Central Silk Board where testing will happen, has been completed. Testing in the Central Silk Board – RV Road section will start in April.

Key features of Bengaluru's Electronics City Metro (RV Road - Bommasandra)

Two-headed bird and Lalbagh glass house inspired driverless train design

Bengaluru Metro's Yellow Line driverless trains have borrowed elements from two of Karnataka’s icons – Lalbagh glass house and the mythological two-headed bird in the state emblem, Gandaberunda, for their exterior design.

"We considered multiple designs that would have a connection with the state's identity, and finally, decided on these two," said Jha.

Gandaberunda, a revered figure in Hindu mythology associated with Lord Vishnu, holds deep historical significance in the context of the Mysore kingdom. While the Lalbagh Glass House, modelled after London's Crystal Palace, continues to remain a massive tourist draw. The look of the façade of the glass house has been used in the train exterior and a design mimicking the tail feathers of the Gandaberunda has found place at the trains’ couplers.

Also, read: Akshata Murty's 'Gandaberunda' necklace: Importance of the 'two-headed bird' in 10 points

Testing for six months

BMRCL officials stated that the first set of prototype six-coach metro trains, manufactured by CRRC, China, arrived at Hebbagodi Metro depot near Electronics City on February 14, 2024.

"Since it's a new rolling stock, multiple tests need to be conducted. Coaches have been assembled before moving to the test track for static and electrical circuit testing. It will be moved to mainline testing in a few days," said Jha.

"There is a wide range of about 37 tests lasting for four months, followed by system integration with signalling system, telecommunications system, power supply system, etc., tests for 45 days." he said.

Statutory safety tests will include oscillation trials by the Research Designs and Standards Organization (RDSO) and inspection by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS).

Jha said, "Once two additional trains arrive, we aim to complete all tests by September. Following this, we will approach Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) , and upon receiving approval, we plan to commence operations by the year-end."

This train is equipped with state-of-the-art technology such as Unattended Train Operations (UTO), enhanced supervision capability from Operations Control Centre (OCC), AI-based track monitoring system, hot axle detection system, obstacle and derailment detection system, etc. In addition to this, the coaches have electric signages above the doors to showcase routes, advertisements, notices and information.

Apart from the prototype train for CBTC, one more prototype train with DTG (distance-to-go) signalling is being supplied by CRRC. The remaining 34 trainsets (14 CBTC & 20 DTG) are being manufactured in India at Titagarh Rail Systems Limited in West Bengal.

According to Jha, BMRCL will receive two sets of trains (12 coaches from Titagarh Rail Systems Limited) soon. “Outfitting works of two train car body shells which were supplied by CRRC will begin this month at Titagarh Rail Systems Limited.”

For testing, three trains will be needed. “We will do 90% testing with this prototype train. Once we get two more trains from Titagarh, we will start the remaining test runs with three trains. This is to ensure that they (trains) communicate with each other.”

He added that all future Metro lines will have CBTC signaling system, which could facilitate driverless trains.

As reported by Moneycontrol, Bengaluru Metro will use artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor tracks on the Yellow Line. "A pilot train with the installed track monitoring system will automatically check the track condition. In the event of any issues, it will generate alerts using AI software," said Jha.

Also, read: In a first, Bengaluru Metro will use AI to monitor tracks