Delhi Metro Goes Driver-Less: Trial Ongoing

Delhi Metro starts trial for driver-less trains.

Rajiv Chowk metro station. (Photo: iStockphoto)

The trial run of Delhi Metro’s swanky new ‘driver-less’ trains began on Tuesday, setting the ball rolling on what promises to be a technological feat in the country’s public transport system. In little more than a year, they will run on ‘unattended’ mode.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu flagged off one such train, equipped to travel on ‘Unattended Train Operations’ mode at the Mukundpur depot of metro’s upcoming Majlis Park – Shiv Vihar corridor.

As we kept on saying during odd-even, till the time we don’t improve our public transport system – one that which inspires car owners to opt for public transport – pollution or congestion will not come down.

Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister, Delhi

Trial runs of these trains will take place between the depot and Majlis Park station – one of the terminal stations of the upcoming Pink Line – for the next few days. Gradually, the distance covered by them will be increased, a metro official said. The new trains will undergo rigorous trials to ensure that they are ready for smooth operations.

(With inputs from PTI)