First driverless trainset manufactured for Mumbai Metro lines 4 and 4A | VIDEO

Driverless Metro which is getting ready at Tirupati | Photo:screengrab/ANI Video
Driverless Metro which is getting ready at Tirupati | Photo:screengrab/ANI Video

Sri City (Andhra Pradesh): Mumbai’s urban mass rapid transit network is set to take a major step forward, with the first driverless-ready Metropolis trainset for Metro Lines 4 and 4A completing production at the Sri City manufacturing facility in Andhra Pradesh.

The upcoming fleet forms part of a joint contract executed by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Alstom to supply 39 six-car trainsets (totalling 234 cars), complete with advanced automated signalling, depot equipment and a five-year comprehensive maintenance agreement.

Advanced autonomous capabilities and route scope

Engineered to support fully automated operations with high-precision Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) technology, the driverless-ready rakes are designed for a targeted headway of just 90 seconds between services.

The driverless-ready fleet will serve the 35.3 km Green Line corridor connecting Wadala and Kasarvadavali across 32 stations. The trainsets are built for an operational service speed of 80 km/h, with a maximum design speed rating of 90 km/h.

Rapid production timeline

Manufactured within a record turnaround of 14 months at Sri City near Tirupati, the inaugural trainset represents a coordinated domestic engineering effort.

Design and engineering: Developed in Bengaluru.

Bogies and traction systems: Produced in Savli, Gujarat, and Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

Final assembly: Completed at the Sri City plant.

The first trainset is scheduled to arrive in Mumbai in December 2026 for trial runs and system integration testing, with commercial revenue service expected to begin around July 2027.

Next-generation commuter features

In addition to its driverless-ready capability, the new fleet introduces several key enhancements tailored for passenger safety and comfort such as

  • Airflow-based cooling systems optimized for high-density commuter traffic.
  • Full wheelchair accessibility and dedicated safety spaces.
  • Ambient warm interior lighting.
  • Integrated bicycle racks—marking the debut of dedicated onboard cycle transport capability in Indian metro rakes.