BEML rolls out prototype of new driver-less metro train set for Bengaluru’s Phase-2 metro network

The BEML Ltd. on Thursday (December 11, 2025) rolled out the prototype of its new driverless metro trainset , developed for Bengaluru’s Namma Metro’s upcoming Phase-2, 2A and 2B corridors.

The PSU unveiled the first six-coach driverless trainset meant for the Pink Line at its Bengaluru Rail Complex for the highly anticipated corridor, which is expected to open in two stages by the end of 2026, connecting Kalena Agrahara to Nagawara.

The prototype was formally flagged off by J. Ravishankar, Managing Director of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL), in the presence of BEML Ltd. Chairman and Managing Director Shantanu Roy and senior officials from both organisations.

Under the ongoing contract, BEML will supply 318 standard-gauge coaches for the Pink Line and the Blue Line (airport corridor). According to BEML Ltd. officials, these trainsets, designed and engineered entirely in-house at BEML’s Bengaluru facility, will be subjected to rigorous testing and commissioning in line with BMRCL’s schedule. BEML Ltd. will also provide up to 15 years of comprehensive maintenance support.

“The rollout marks an important step in the execution of the ₹3,177-crore contract, which BEML secured through competitive bidding. The new prototype demonstrates its growing contribution to India’s metro ecosystem, particularly in the domain of fully automated, Grade of Automation-4 (GoA4) systems,” a official said.

Features

The new trainset features contemporary interiors, energy-efficient systems, upgraded passenger information displays, wider gangways for easy movement, USB charging points, ergonomic seating and accessibility features. “It is designed to comply with advanced fire-safety and crashworthiness norms and is compatible with Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) technology, enabling fully driverless operations,” the official explained.

BEML Ltd., the largest rolling-stock supplier to Bengaluru Metro, recently received an additional order worth ₹414 crore for six more driverless trainsets for Phase-2’s Yellow Line. Combined with a previous order for 42 additional cars, the total supply figure has now increased from 318 to 396 metro coaches for Phase-2.

In August 2023, BEML secured a contract to manufacture and maintain 318 metro coaches (53 trainsets) over 15 years. This included 96 coaches designated for the Pink Line and 222 coaches for the Blue Line, which covers Phase 2A and 2B extensions.

Delay in train supply

Meanwhile, a senior BMRCL official told The Hindu that as per the contract, BEML was expected to supply the trains by June 2025, but the schedule has been delayed. “We now expect 16 trains to be delivered before the full Pink Line is completed in December 2026, so that trial runs, inspections, and CMRS approvals can be carried out as planned. The project is scheduled for completion by December 2026, after which the line can be opened to the public,” the official said.

The first six-coach prototype train for the Pink Line, unveiled on December 11, will be transported by trailers to the Kothanur depot after December 15, officials said. The prototype will then undergo a series of tests for a minimum of five months.

Like other metro corridors in Bengaluru, the Pink Line has encountered repeated delays since its launch. Originally slated to be operational in 2020, the deadline was later pushed to December 2025.

The corridor, a crucial component of Namma Metro’s Phase 2 expansion, will run 21.3 km from Kalena Agrahara in the south to Nagawara in the north. Of the total stretch, 13.8 km will be underground and 7.5 km will be elevated.

Slow progress on Pink Line

Once completed, the Pink Line is expected to significantly strengthen north–south connectivity by linking dense residential pockets and major commercial hubs with the city centre. Although tendering for the elevated portion commenced in 2017, progress moved at a slow pace due to challenges related to land acquisition, shifting of utilities, and the technical difficulties of tunnelling beneath built-up, high-traffic neighbourhoods, according to officials.

The underground section set to be the city’s longest continuous metro tunnel passes through some of Bengaluru’s most congested areas. When operational, the Pink Line will provide seamless access to several important transit points, including M.G. Road, Shivajinagar, and Bengaluru Cantonment. It will eventually terminate at Nagawara, where commuters will be able to interchange with the upcoming airport line being built under Phase 2B.