Hitachi Rail signalling powers Chennai Metro Phase II
Hitachi Rail’s ₹1,620 crore signalling contract for Chennai Metro Phase II has entered passenger service on the 15 km Poonamallee–Vadapalani corridor. The CBTC system is designed to support GoA4 driverless train operations across the expanding network.
pre-market1 source ↓machine-written, see hownot a recommendation
- NIFTY close
- ₹22,699
- On the day
- -0.22%
- 52-week high
- ₹23,489
- 52-week low
- ₹22,180
The first operational section of Chennai Metro’s Phase II has brought Hitachi Rail’s signalling technology into passenger service, marking a step toward driverless train operations on the network. The 15 km Poonamallee–Vadapalani corridor opened on 11 Oct 2026 with 11 elevated stations, connecting Chennai’s western suburbs with the city centre.
Hitachi Rail is supplying Communication-Based Train Control technology to Chennai Metro Rail Limited under a ₹1,620 crore contract awarded in 2023. The system is designed to support Grade of Automation 4, or GoA4, in which trains can operate without drivers. For the metro sector 🚇, the deployment is significant because CBTC enables tighter train spacing, automated operations and more efficient use of network capacity, subject to the required operational and safety approvals.
The corridor’s opening provides the first visible operating milestone for the contract, while the wider Phase II rollout remains the key execution factor. Further commissioning updates, passenger usage and the progress of additional corridors will indicate how quickly the technology moves from one operational section to a broader driverless network. The contract also keeps signalling, automation and rail-electrification suppliers in focus as Indian cities expand mass-transit infrastructure.
For broader market context, the Nifty closed at ₹22,699 on 28 Oct 2026, down 0.22%, according to OI Charts data. The index traded within a 52-week range of ₹22,180 to ₹23,489 and was down 1.9% over five sessions and 1.6% over 20 sessions. These figures provide a cautious market backdrop, although the metro development is specific to transport infrastructure and rail technology rather than a direct index-wide catalyst ⚙️.
The next milestones to watch are further Phase II openings, CMRL’s commissioning schedule and any operational data from the Poonamallee–Vadapalani corridor. These will show whether the signalling system’s intended automation benefits are translating into wider network deployment.
Source: Livemint, 28 Oct 2026
Not investment advice. For informational purposes only.