Ahmedabad’s metro service is set to become faster and more modern with the arrival of 10 new driverless metro trains featuring Gujarat-inspired Garba and Uttarayan themes.
The trains are being manufactured in India by West Bengal-based Titagarh Rail Systems under the Make in India initiative. Unlike the earlier 32 metro trains, which were procured from South Korea, these are the country’s first indigenous Automation Grade-4 driverless metro trains using a 750V DC system.
The new trains have stainless-steel bodies and can operate at speeds of up to 80-90 kmph. They are equipped with air conditioning, automatic operation, digital displays and smart information systems.
Passenger safety features include CCTV cameras and advanced fire-detection systems in all coaches. Each three-coach train costs around ₹35 crore, taking the total cost of the 10 train sets to about ₹350 crore.
The trains that have arrived at the Gyaspur depot are currently undergoing maintenance and preliminary checks.
They will then go through detailed testing and safety inspections by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) and the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS).
After receiving the required safety clearances, the new trains are expected to be introduced into passenger service in phases in the new year.