The Chennai Metro Rail Corporation has signed a contract worth Rs 36.58 billion with BEML Limited to procure driverless trainsets for its Chennai Metro Rail project, phase 2. BEML Limited will supply 70 numbers of three-car driverless [unattended train operations (UTO)] trains consisting of 210 cars. The letter of acceptance was issued to BEML Limited on November 28, 2024.
BEML Limited is likely to deliver the first driverless train by the end of 2026. Besides, the subsequent trains are likely to be delivered between March 2027 and April 2029.
The project involves development of 118.9-km three metro corridors (corridor III, IV and V) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu at an estimated cost of Rs 632.46 billion. It is mostly underground with an elevated section confined to a few short stretches and consists of total 128 stations.