DMCR discussed the Driverless train operations technology in the Parliament
New Delhi: Capital has recently launched its first driverless metro. According to the Comptroller and Auditor General have said in a report tabled in Parliament today, after approval of the Phase-III project of the Delhi Metro by various authorities, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) decided to adopt driverless train operations technology on all new lines of Ph-III "without preparedness and cost-benefit analysis."
In an official statement, the CAG also said that Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) had also "frequently changed the relocation site" of people affected by the Trilokpuri segment of the project. Therefore, it may delay the completion of the section from Mayur Vihar Pocket-I to Trilokpuri in east Delhi.
Today, the idea was kept in the Parliament by the DMRC.
According to the CAG, "As per the sanction (26 September 2011) of the GoI (Government of India), the initial four corridors of Phase-III approved for a length of 103.05 km (sanctioned cost Rs 35,242 crores) which extended to 160.76 km by including nine more sections/corridors with a revised sanctioned cost of Rs 48,565.12."
The DMCR also constructed (from 2011-19) 160.75 km (107.27 km elevated and 53.48 km underground section) metro lines during Phase-III.
On December 28, last year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched India's first-ever driverless train operations on the Delhi Metro's Magenta Line (Line 8).
Officials said, in another milestone for the DMRC, driverless train operations on 59-km Pink Line (Line 7) of the Delhi Metro was started on November 25 this year. With this, the total stretch of DMRC's network which is under driverless operations, now stands at close to 97 km, putting Delhi Metro at fourth position globally, among such networks.
CAG also said that "the Board of Directors of DMRC approved (February 2011) the DPR of Phase-III with nine-car operation on new standalone corridors of Phase-III i.e., Line-7 and Line-8".
"However, DMRC decided (27 May 2011) to change the plan of running nine cars to six cars on Line-7 and Line-8 due to reduction in the train's headway under Communication Based Train Control system," it said.
And, this decision was "taken without any cost-benefit analysis. This eliminated the possibility and scope for further increase in cars in a rake to cater to increase in ridership in future," the CAG said.
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