Advertisement
CMRL is planning to introduce 28 six-car trains by 2028 to increase capacity on its main corridors. These trains will carry up to 1,800 passengers, reducing waiting times and easing peak-hour congestion. Current monthly ridership exceeds one crore, with further growth expected due to Phase I extensions and Phase II development. Stations are prepared for longer trains, with upgrades like platform screen doors planned. The trains will be built domestically and equipped with technology for future driverless operation, addressing both immediate and long-term commuter needs.
Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) is set to add 28 six?car train sets to its fleet by the end of 2028 to address overcrowding and reduce waiting times on its main corridors, including the blue (Airport-Wimco Nagar) and green (Chennai Central-St Thomas Mount) lines. These new trains will complement the existing 52 four?car trains and are expected to enhance passenger comfort during peak hours. Advertisement
Each six?car train will be capable of carrying up to 1,800 passengers, around 600 more than the current four?car sets, which handle approximately 1,200 commuters per trip. This increase in capacity is expected to reduce waiting times to as little as four minutes during busy periods. CMRL has reported monthly ridership surpassing one crore earlier this year, with the average monthly footfall over the past year around 90 lakh passengers.
With Phase I extensions nearing completion and Phase II developments underway, officials expect ridership to grow further, emphasizing the need for larger trainsets. All existing stations on the network are ready to handle longer trains. Necessary upgrades, including platform?screen doors at underground stations, are planned to be carried out without affecting daily operations.
The new six?car trains will be manufactured domestically, in line with rules requiring at least 60% local expenditure on parts, materials, or manpower. They will feature advanced automation technology (GoA4), allowing for future driverless operation, although they will initially run under manual control. The expanded fleet aims to provide faster, more reliable service and accommodate the increasing number of commuters efficiently.
5th Jun, 2025
25th May, 2023
11th May, 2023
27th Apr, 2023
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
