Titagarh Rail to supply driverless coaches for Bangalore Metro's Yellow Line from April

Kolkata, India (Metro Rail Today): Titagarh Rail Systems is poised to commence the delivery of driverless train sets for Bengaluru Metro's Yellow Line (RV Road-Bommasandra) starting from April, according to a senior company official speaking on the condition of anonymity.

The assembly line is nearing completion, with all machinery in place. The final commissioning phase is expected to conclude within the next 45 to 60 days, after which manufacturing will promptly commence, as stated by a senior executive from the company.

Titagarh Rail Systems aims to supply two sets of six-coach trains to Bengaluru Metro Rail Corp (BMRCL) every month, starting from April. While the first two sets have been imported from China, Titagarh Rail will manufacture the remaining 204 coaches in India.

The senior Titagarh official mentioned, "The commissioning of the assembly line would get finished in March, so tentatively by around, let's say, April, we would be able to start supplying two train sets a month."

The company plans to fulfill the entire order within the stipulated timeline of March 2025.

Bengaluru witnessed the arrival of its first driverless train set consisting of six coaches at the Hebbagodi depot in Electronic City on February 14. This delivery, 20 days after being shipped from Shanghai to Chennai, marked a significant milestone in Bengaluru's metro system.

The prototype train, manufactured by China-based CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co Ltd, was transported in four trailer vehicles from Chennai port to Bengaluru. The remaining coaches will be produced by Titagarh Rail under the Make In India initiative, in collaboration with CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co Ltd.

The initial contract awarded to CRRC Nanjing Puzhen in December 2019 for 216 coaches faced delays due to various challenges, including the identification of a local manufacturer for the Make In India initiative, COVID-19, foreign direct investment policies, and trade restrictions with China. The collaboration with Titagarh Rail resolved these issues.

The Yellow Line, connecting Electronics City and RV Road in South Bengaluru, is set to significantly benefit residents and employees in the region. While the original deadline for the entire Yellow Line operation was 2021, it has been revised multiple times, with the current deadline set for December 2023. The line comprises 16 stations, catering to areas such as Jayanagar, BTM Layout, HSR Layout, and the Bommasandra Industrial Area.

BMRCL anticipates the need for 8-10 trains to initiate operations on the Yellow Line, and with Titagarh Rail Systems gearing up for production, the metro's expansion is on track, promising improved connectivity for Bengaluru's residents and commuters.

As Titagarh Rail Systems prepares to contribute to Bengaluru's metro expansion with state-of-the-art driverless train sets, the city inches closer to realizing enhanced public transportation. The upcoming months will witness the tangible outcome of the collaboration between Titagarh Rail and CRRC Nanjing Puzhen, bringing efficient and modern transportation solutions to the dynamic city.