First driverless train for Blue Line reaches Bengaluru Metro depot

Even as construction of the Blue Line corridor remains under way, Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) on Thursday delivered the first driverless train set for Bengaluru Metro’s upcoming airport corridor.

The six-coach train was transported on specially designed trailers from the BEML’s manufacturing unit at C.V. Raman Nagar to the Byappanahalli Metro depot, where initial testing activities will commence.

Speaking to The Hindu, Yashwanth Chavan, chief public relations officer of the BMRCL, said that although the new depot being developed for the Blue Line is yet to be fully operational, the train would be stationed at the Inspection Bay Line for preliminary depot trials.

He said the train would undergo extensive testing and validation procedures before being introduced for passenger operations. Once the corridor and associated infrastructure are ready, the train will be shifted for further trials on the line. The testing process is expected to continue for at least five months.

The 18-km elevated stretch between Central Silk Board and K.R. Pura is currently targeted for completion by December 2026. However, work on several stations is still in progress, raising uncertainty over whether the timeline can be achieved.

The remaining 37-km section from K.R. Pura to Kempegowda International Airport is expected to be completed by December 2027 .In August 2023, the BEML was awarded a ₹3,177-crore contract by the BMRCL for the supply of 318 metro coaches.

In contrast, delays in the delivery of rolling stock had significantly affected the commissioning of the Namma Metro Yellow Line. Although the corridor infrastructure was substantially completed, passenger services could not commence due to the non-availability of trains. The delay stemmed from issues faced by the supplier contracted to provide coaches for the line. In 2019, the BMRCL awarded a ₹1,578-crore contract to the China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) for the supply of 216 metro coaches. However, the company failed to meet key contractual obligations, including the establishment of a manufacturing facility in India, resulting in repeated delays in coach production and delivery.

The prolonged setback forced the BMRCL to issue multiple notices to the company and consider encashing a ₹372-crore bank guarantee. Finally to expedite the supply of the remaining coaches and clear the backlog, the CRRC subsequently entered into a partnership with Kolkata-based Titagarh Wagons for manufacturing and delivery of the trains. In 2024, the Chinese company started delivering the trains.