BEML Hands Over First Driverless Metro Train for Bengaluru Blue Line.

Bengaluru Earth Movers Limited (BEML) recently delivered a six-coach driverless train set for the Bengaluru Metro Blue Line, marking a key milestone in the city’s expanding rapid transit network.

The train was transported from BEML’s manufacturing facility in CV Raman Nagar to the Byappanahalli depot using trailers. The Blue Line corridor, which will connect key stretches along the Outer Ring Road (ORR), is expected to serve one of Bengaluru’s busiest and most commercially significant routes.

According to Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) officials, the train will be temporarily stationed at the Bay Line for depot-level testing, as construction work on the Blue Line depot is still underway. Once the depot and corridor infrastructure are completed, the train will be shifted to its designated base for further commissioning activities.

The Blue Line will run along the ORR corridor, which hosts several information technology companies, business parks and high-density commuter traffic. Officials said the corridor is expected to significantly reduce travel time for thousands of daily passengers once operational.

BMRCL will conduct extensive testing of the driverless train for at least five months before opening it for passenger services. The train is equipped with features such as LCD-based animated route map displays, driverless operation capability and enhanced safety systems.

Officials also said that luggage racks are being considered for Blue Line trains in future sets. The first train does not include them, as BEML has been asked to refine the design before installation in subsequent rakes.

Construction of the Blue Line is currently in progress. The 18-km elevated stretch between Central Silk Board and KR Pura is expected to be completed by December 2026.

Meanwhile, progress is also being made on the Pink Line, for which BEML has supplied six train sets. BMRCL plans to begin operations on a 7.5-km elevated section between Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere by August 15, while the remaining 13.7-km underground stretch between Dairy Circle and Nagawara is expected to be completed by December 2026.

Both the Blue and Pink lines will use Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling technology, similar to the Yellow Line between RV Road and Bommasandra. The system enables high levels of automation, and BMRCL plans to eventually introduce fully driverless operations under Grade of Automation 4 (GoA-4).

However, officials said train operators will initially remain onboard even after driverless systems are introduced, to ensure operational reliability and passenger familiarity with the new technology.

The delivery of the first Blue Line train marks a significant step forward in Bengaluru Metro’s next phase of expansion.