Bengaluru Metro’s first driverless train undergoes CMRS inspection

Bengaluru’s metro network is a step closer to embracing automation, as the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) inspected the driverless train prototype for Namma Metro’s Yellow Line on Monday. This crucial evaluation marks progress toward introducing the automated metro service, which is expected to enhance the city’s public transport system.

Also Read: CMRS to inspect Bengaluru metro’s first driverless train on Yellow Line on Feb 24

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) announced that the statutory inspection was conducted on the train procured from CRRC, a Chinese rolling stock manufacturer. The Yellow Line, spanning 19 km with 16 stations, will connect RV Road to Bommasandra, easing congestion along the busy Central Silk Board corridor. BMRCL will now seek approval from the Railway Ministry before launching the service.

The fully automated metro train, part of a broader modernization plan, is expected to debut later this year. More such trains may gradually be incorporated into the metro fleet to improve efficiency and accommodate growing passenger demand.

CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co Ltd secured the contract to supply 216 coaches, including the driverless prototype. The train, shipped from China in February 2024, was assembled in Electronics City under the supervision of Chinese engineers.

With Bengaluru’s traffic woes worsening, the driverless metro on the Yellow Line is poised to offer a faster, more reliable transit solution, marking a significant milestone in the city’s urban mobility transformation.