Alstom of France Launches Production of 96 Driverless Trains for Chennai Metro Phase II in India

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On November 12, French rail transit equipment company Alstom launched production of 96 driverless metro cars for Chennai Metro Phase II at its manufacturing base in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, India. These cars are part of a €135 million contract awarded by Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) in 2025, covering the design and manufacture of 32 three-car trainsets, as well as comprehensive maintenance services for 15 years after the warranty period ends.

The 96 cars being produced will form 32 three-car trainsets. Based on Alstom's Metropolis metro car platform and designed to GoA4 grade, they can achieve fully driverless operation, with a maximum operating speed of 80 km/h. Each train can accommodate up to approximately 900 passengers and is equipped with a regenerative braking system, air conditioning, closed-circuit television surveillance, real-time passenger information displays and cybersecurity systems, and also features dedicated spaces for female passengers and passengers with reduced mobility.

The car design work is undertaken by Alstom's engineering center in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, while manufacturing is completed at the Sri City plant in Andhra Pradesh. This manufacturing base previously undertook car manufacturing for Chennai Metro Phase I and continues to supply trains for the Phase II project.

The 96 cars whose production has now started are an additional batch in the rolling stock procurement plan for Chennai Metro Phase II. Previously, Alstom completed the manufacture and delivery of 36 Metropolis driverless trainsets, totaling 108 cars, for Corridor 4 of the project, with the last batch delivered in October 2026. Corridor 4 is 26 km long, connecting Poonamallee Bypass and Light House, with 28 stations along the route, of which 18 are elevated and 10 are underground. These trains have been put into passenger service on Corridor 4.

The planned lines of Chennai Metro Phase II total approximately 119 km, comprising three corridors and connecting lines between corridors, of which more than 76 km are elevated and approximately 43 km are underground. The manufacturing contract for the 96 cars was awarded in 2025, and its scope covers not only car design and manufacture but also supply, testing, commissioning and long-term maintenance after the warranty period ends.

Alstom has participated in the construction of Chennai Metro since 2010, having supplied 208 metro cars for Phase I and, in a consortium with India's Larsen & Toubro, completed a total of 86 km of track works for Phase I Line 1 and Line 2. With the additional cars now entering the production stage, the company will continue to undertake car manufacturing and subsequent maintenance work for Chennai Metro Phase II.