BEML Rolls Out India’s First Prototype Driverless Metro Trainset for BMRCL’s Phase-2 Network

In a landmark achievement for urban mobility, Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) today formally rolled out the prototype of the country’s first fully indigenous driverless metro trainset designed for Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited’s (BMRCL) Phase-2 and Phase-2A corridors.

The sleek pink-liveried six-coach train was flagged off at BEML’s Bengaluru manufacturing facility by Dr. J. Ravishankar, IAS, MD (BMRCL), in the presence of Shantanu Roy, CMD (BEML Ltd), senior officials from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, RDSO, and the Bangalore Metro team. The prototype has now entered the crucial testing phase ahead of commercial operations.

Under the ₹13,000+ crore contract awarded in 2020, BEML is supplying 318 Standard Gauge metro cars (53 trainsets of six coaches each) for the Reach-5 (R.V. Road–Bommasandra) and Reach-6 (Dairy Circle–Nagawara) lines as well as the upcoming airport link. These trains, capable of operating in fully driverless GoA-4 (Grade of Automation 4) mode, represent the highest level of metro automation currently deployed globally.

The new trainsets incorporate Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling, enabling headways as low as 90 seconds, and are designed for a top speed of 90 km/h with regenerative braking for energy efficiency. Each coach features longitudinal seating, wide gangways, 2.9-metre-wide doors, and advanced passenger information systems.

Speaking at the rollout ceremony, Shantanu Roy, CMD, BEML Ltd, said: “With this roll out of the first prototype comes a commitment by BEML to supply the state-of-the-art trainsets which will enhance commuting experience. This is a milestone towards fulfilling the aspirations of metro commuters travelling on the upcoming Pink Line and the ORR-Airport Line. It will revolutionise all the routes involved in this advancement and look forward to continued cooperation as we progress towards successful commissioning of the metro corridors which support reduction in traffic congestion, lowering carbon emissions, contributing to the city’s economic growth and quality of life.”

Dr. J. Ravishankar, MD, BMRCL, hailed the milestone as a game-changer for Bengaluru’s public transport: “This indigenous driverless metro train marks a new era for Namma Metro. Once operational, it will significantly boost capacity on our most congested corridors and set the benchmark for future metro projects across India.”

Key Features of the New Driverless Trainset

• Fully unattended GoA-4 driverless operation
• CBTC signalling for 90-second headways
• Regenerative braking and energy-efficient propulsion
• Modern, spacious interiors with enhanced passenger comfort
• Designed and manufactured entirely in India under Make in India
• High reliability and low life-cycle cost

The prototype will now undergo rigorous static and dynamic testing at BEML’s facility followed by on-track trials on the BMRCL network. Revenue service on the Pink Line (Reach-5) is targeted for mid-2026, while the airport line (Blue Line extension) is expected to commence operations by 2027.

With this rollout, BEML has reinforced its position as India’s leading metro rolling stock manufacturer and a key contributor to the nation’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision in urban transportation. The company is also executing similar driverless metro contracts for Mumbai Metro Lines 2A, 7, and 9, and has delivered trains for Delhi, Kolkata, Jaipur, and Gurugram metros.

Today’s event marks yet another step in Bengaluru’s transformation into a world-class metro city and underscores Indian industry’s growing capability to deliver cutting-edge, self-reliant mobility solutions for rapidly expanding urban centres.