The Delhi Metro’s driverless train, the first of its kind in the country, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi via videoconference at 11 am Monday.
“I had the privilege of launching the Magenta Line about three years ago. Today, on the same route, I have the opportunity to inaugurate the first fully automated Metro in the country, which we call ‘Metro without a driver’. This shows how fast India is moving towards smart systems. Today, the Delhi Metro is also adding the Common National Mobility Card. It started in Ahmedabad last year. Starting today, it will include the Airport Express Line of the Delhi Metro, ”he said.
The prime minister said that to prepare the country for the future, the government must work today: “When our government was formed in 2014, only five cities had subways. Today, it is present in 18 cities ”. He said that as each city has different requirements, the work that revolves around the Metro is also different. Citing the RRTS and Metro Lite models, the prime minister said: “The Regional Rapid Transit System will reduce the distance between Delhi and Meerut to less than an hour.”
In cities with fewer passengers, Metro Lite is being built, which is built at 40% of the usual cost. “The use of modern technology is the need of the moment. Right now I have the opportunity to inaugurate the Metro Rail without a driver. With this achievement today, India has become one of the few countries in the world where this type of facility is available. We are also using a braking system in which 50% of the energy returns to the grid when the brakes are applied, ”said Modi.
India’s first fully automated driverless train stops on the Delhi Metro’s Magenta Line ahead of a media test following its launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. (PTI)
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and DMRC Managing Director Mangu Singh were also at the virtual opening.
“Congratulations, Delhi residents. Driverless automated subway trains have started running in the city today. Delhi has entered a select group of cities worldwide. The city is developing rapidly, ”Kejriwal tweeted.
This facility will be available throughout the Delhi metro network by 2022, the PMO said. (PTI)
On the first day, five of the 26 trains on the 38 km long Magenta Line had no driver. Officials said more trains will gradually be fully automated. Although the Pink Line trains will be automated for next June, those of the Metro Phase IV will also be autonomous.
A DMRC official explained that times and instructions are entered into the system: “Before, a train operator would have to get up two hours earlier, arrive at the station and perform a series of manual checks such as checking the air conditioning and brakes. . Now this has been automated; Routine checks will take about 10 minutes. The train will only act on what has been fed. At the end of the day, it will go into sleep mode at the indicated time. “
In case of problems on a certain Metro line, the staff who will centrally control the network from Metro Bhawan will take action. One official said: “The main advantage is that any possibility of human error is eliminated.”
A new experience
When the first train left Janakpuri West and headed towards the Botanical Garden, several passengers, some excited and some apprehensive, got on. An ad, “Welcome to a driverless train. A train operator will be available for any assistance ”, was made at each station.
Vijay Wadhwana (74), a marketing consultant traveling from Janakpuri to RK Puram for work reasons, said: “A machine is safer than any man. Since it will be centrally controlled, I don’t think there is anything to worry about. “
Deepak Pangali (29), who was traveling with his wife, son, mother and sister, said: “We had heard of this before, but we did not think we would be among the first to sit on the first driverless train. Honestly, we have never been able to see the driver before, so it feels the same. “His mother Shakuntala Pangali (50) said:” We are heading to Kalkaji Mandir … it’s already an exciting day for us. “
An official said that train operators will still be present inside trains to guide people and build confidence in passengers.
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