Chennai Metro Rail has initiated the procurement process for the next set of driverless trains required for the city’s Phase II project. With 138 three-coach trains needed for the 116 km Phase II corridors, the first contract for 36 trains has already been awarded to Alstom Transport India Limited. Now, bids have been floated for the manufacture of an additional 32 three-coach trains.
While the initial plan involved leasing some trains to reduce capital costs, the decision was later revised, leading to the current tendering process. The selected firm will have around two years to deliver the trains, along with a 15-year maintenance commitment to optimize operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. These trains, capable of operating as six-coach configurations if needed, are expected to significantly enhance Chennai’s metro network capacity and connectivity.