Alstom has introduced the first driverless Metropolis trainset developed for Mumbai Metro Lines 4 and 4A at its manufacturing facility in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh. The train is scheduled to reach Mumbai in December 2026 as part of a contract covering 39 trainsets.
The first unit is expected to leave the factory by the end of November, with transportation to Mumbai likely to take seven to 10 days. Its arrival is anticipated during the first or second week of December.
The new trains will include wheelchair-accessible facilities, dedicated bicycle racks and airflow-based cooling. According to Alstom, this is the first trainset manufactured by the company in India to feature dedicated bicycle storage. The trains are designed to achieve a maximum speed of 90 kmph, with an operational speed of 80 kmph.
Train-level testing is nearing completion, while signalling integration and additional validation activities are expected to take another three to four weeks. The trainset must subsequently receive certification from the Research Designs and Standards Organisation and the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety.
The approval process will involve high-speed trials, braking assessments and ride-quality evaluations. Passenger services can begin only after the necessary testing and clearances are completed.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) intends to deploy trains from Metro Lines 2 and 7 for the corridor’s phased opening. Alstom is aiming to achieve the passenger-service milestone by August 2027, subject to testing, certification and regulatory approvals.
The 32.32-km elevated Metro Line 4 will link Wadala in Mumbai with Kasarvadavali in Thane, covering 30 stations. According to MMRDA estimates, the corridor could cut travel times by 50 to 75 per cent, depending on prevailing road traffic conditions. Metro Line 4A will further extend the network towards Gaimukh.
The trains were designed in Bengaluru and are being manufactured at Sri City. Their propulsion systems and bogies are being supplied from Coimbatore and Savli, respectively. Alstom is also responsible for providing signalling technology, depot equipment and five years of maintenance support under the project.
Source: Construction World
