Alstom Begins Manufacturing 96 More Driverless Metro Cars for Chennai Metro Phase II

Alstom has begun manufacturing 96 additional driverless metro cars for Chennai Metro Phase II at its Sri City facility in Andhra Pradesh. The work is being carried out under a contract worth €135 million, equivalent to approximately ₹1,407 crore, awarded by Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) in 2025.

The contract covers the design and manufacture of 32 three-car trainsets, along with 15 years of comprehensive maintenance after the warranty period. The trains are being designed at Alstom’s engineering centre in Bengaluru and manufactured at Sri City, reflecting the production network supporting the metro expansion.

Chennai Metro Phase II is planned across three corridors, with a total length of about 119 km. The network includes more than 76 km of elevated track and around 43 km of underground sections. The additional trains will support operations as the new corridors are completed and opened to passengers.

The Metropolis trainsets are configured for Grade of Automation 4, allowing fully driverless operation, and are designed for an operating speed of up to 80 kmph. Each three-car train can accommodate up to 900 passengers. Features include air-conditioning, CCTV cameras, real-time passenger information displays, regenerative braking and dedicated spaces for women and passengers with disabilities.

The manufacturing programme follows the completion and delivery of 36 trainsets, comprising 108 cars, for Corridor 4. That 26-km corridor connects Poonamallee Bypass with Light House and includes 28 stations, with both elevated and underground stretches. Deliveries under the separate €102 million contract, awarded in 2023, were completed in October 2026.

Alstom’s association with Chennai Metro dates back to 2010, when it received its first contract from CMRL. The company has since supplied 208 metro cars for Phase I. It also worked with Larsen & Toubro on track construction covering 86 track kilometres across Corridors I and II.

The start of production for the additional 96 cars strengthens the rolling-stock pipeline for Phase II. Their delivery, testing and commissioning will be important as CMRL prepares the expanded network for passenger services. The contract also provides for long-term maintenance support, linking the supply of new trains with their upkeep after entering service.