Kejriwal, Naidu to flag off driver-less Metros today

The trial run of India’s first ever Metro train, equipped to run on the ‘Unattended Train Operations’ mode, will be ceremonially flagged off on Tuesday from the Mukundpur Metro depot by the Union Minister for Urban Development, M Venkaiah Naidu and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Earlier on April 6, Delhi Metro launched new swanky trains equipped with several advanced features. These metros will ply on the section of the Phase-III network and will come into operation by the end of 2016.

Delhi Metro acquired these trains last year from a Korea-based manufacturer. The six-coach train was ferried to India by sea route, which arrived at Gujarat’s Mundhra port from where it was brought by road to Delhi on special trailers. For the first time in India, Delhi Metro will have retractable Over Head Electrification (OHE) for ease of maintenance work.

The interiors of these trains are visually appealing with colourful seats, non-skid flooring, USB ports, wi-fi facility with features like live feed inside the train through a 37-inch LCD display screen. Apart from this, corner seats will be increased to three-four from existing two. A distinct feature is the presence of new wheels with noise dampers meaning that the commuters will no longer have to bear the screeching noise. 

However, DMRC said unattended train operations under Phase-III will be allowed only by 2017 end. “The trains procured for Phase III are driver-less trains, which will initially have staff deputed for operation but gradually, they will be withdrawn to move to unattended train operation,” said a DMRC spokesman.