Chennai Metro Rail (CMRL) has awarded a contract for the supply of 26 unmanned (unmanned train operations) railcars to Alstom Transport India for 9.47 billion rupees. The contract, funded by the Government of Tamil Nadu, is a three-car formation of 78 cars each.

The first train under the contract is expected to roll out in 2024, which will be followed by trials and testing for driverless operation, CMRL said. The trains will be delivered in phases under the 40-month contract.

A CMRL press release said the scope of the contract includes the supply of driverless trains, together with design, manufacture, testing, staff training, supply of spare parts, liability for defects and commissioning of standard gauge metro rolling stock.