In the vibrant city of Bengaluru, the eagerly anticipated inaugural trial of the autonomous train on the freshly minted Namma Metro Yellow Line unfolded seamlessly on Thursday, as confirmed by the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL).
“The culmination of our Yellow Line Metro installation is now a reality. Over the next four months, a comprehensive suite of 37 distinct assessments will be diligently executed. Following this meticulous phase, the trial operations will kick into high gear. Anticipate the commencement of autonomous train operations on the Yellow Line by the year’s end,” asserted BMRCL officials.
Spanning a distance of 19.5 kilometers, the Namma Metro Yellow Line intricately links RV Road to Bommasandra, traversing key locales such as Silk Board Junction, Electronic City, and Jayadeva Hospital. Presently, the trial run of the Yellow Line metro is confined to the stretch between Bommasandra and Silk Board, with plans to extend the testing regimen along the entire route until mid-April.
“In a momentous announcement, BMRCL takes pleasure in disclosing the successful maiden voyage of the powered train between Bommasandra and Bommanahalli metro stations today, traversing the Reach-5 line,” jubilantly shared BMRCL through its X handle, accompanied by a captivating video featuring the driverless train.
“Behold another visual testament to the prowess of the YELLOW LINE Driverless train during its expedition on the main line today,” added BMRCL in a subsequent post.
The avant-garde six-coach train boasts the cutting-edge Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) system technology. Crafted by the adept hands of CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co Ltd, a Chinese enterprise, in collaboration with their domestic counterparts Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd, this marks a significant contribution to the ‘Make In India’ initiative.
The six sleek carriages of the autonomous train, hailing from Shanghai, China, were recently unveiled at the Hebbagodi depot. Embarking on their journey from Shanghai port to Chennai on January 24, these train coaches reached Bengaluru on February 14, where meticulous assembly transpired under the watchful eyes of Chinese engineers.