NEWS – The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) received the first set of six train coaches, which are part of the Communication-based Train Control (CBTC) system

The 18.8 km-long line, connecting RV Road and Bommasandra, will be the first in India to have a driverless train

WHAT IS A CBTC-ENABLED DRIVERLESS METRO TRAIN?

• According to the Indian Railways’ handbook – CBTC technology is a modern communication-based system that uses radio communication to transfer timely and accurate train control information
• The yellow line will have Unattended Train Operations (UTO), allowing full automation in tasks such as opening and closing of doors and stoppage and movement of trains, and Enhanced Supervision Capability from the Operations Control Centre (OCC)
• The coaches for the driverless Bengaluru Metro are manufactured by Chinese firm CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co Ltd, along with their domestic partners Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd. as part of the Make In India Initiative

HOW IT WORKS

• Every morning, the train will “wake up” to a command from the OCC. This will activate the interior lights and start the engine
• The train then undergoes an automatic self-check to ensure its technical fitness
• It will go through automated washing plants for cleaning, before moving to the platforms. At night, the train will enter a “sleep mode”