MUMBAI: Commuters on the Wadala–Thane–Gaimukh corridor have got their first look at the trains that will run on Metro Lines 4 and 4A. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has shared a video of the new driverless trainsets on its social media handles.
The trains sport a distinctive green-and-blue look and have six air-conditioned coaches. According to the MMRDA video, each coach has eight CCTV cameras and 10 mobile charging points, along with digital route displays, space for wheelchairs and dedicated bicycle racks.
The doors use anti-drag technology that detects trapped objects. The trains also recover energy through their braking system and use LED lighting to save power, MMRDA said.
A total of 39 trainsets will serve Line 4 from Wadala to Kasarvadavali and Line 4A from Kasarvadavali to Gaimukh, bringing a new travel option to one of the busiest corridors in the region.
Built in India
The trains have been built by Alstom at its facility in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, where the first trainset was unveiled in October in the presence of Larsen & Toubro officials. According to Construction World, the trains were designed in Bengaluru, with propulsion systems made in Coimbatore and bogies in Savli, Gujarat. Railway News reported that the first trainset was ready in a record 14 months.
The trains are designed for a speed of 90 kmph and will run at up to 80 kmph. Alstom’s contract also covers signalling, depot equipment and five years of maintenance.
When will the new trains reach Mumbai?
The first trainset is expected to be dispatched by the end of November and reach Mumbai in the first or second week of December, after a seven- to ten-day journey, Construction World reported. It will then go through signalling integration, high-speed trials, braking tests and ride-quality checks, followed by certification from the RDSO and the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS). Alstom has set a target of August 2027 for passenger operations on the new trains, subject to approvals.
First stretch likely in December
Thane residents may get to ride the Metro sooner. State transport minister Pratap Sarnaik said last week that the first phase, the 10.5-km Gaimukh–Cadbury Junction stretch with eight stations, will be inaugurated in December. (Read: Thane Metro’s First Stretch, Gaimukh to Cadbury Junction, to Open in December: Sarnaik)
For the phased opening, MMRDA plans to use trains from Metro Lines 2 and 7, Construction World reported.
Metro Lines 4 and 4A together will run 35.20 km from Wadala to Gaimukh via Ghatkopar, Mulund and Thane, with 32 stations. MMRDA estimates the line could cut travel time on the route by 50 to 75 per cent, depending on road conditions.
Video and images: MMRDA