DMRC and BEL sign agreement for indigenous train control system development

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of Vikas Kumar, Managing Director of the DMRC.

New Delhi: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) on Wednesday joined hands to develop an indigenous communication-based train control (i-CBTC) system, officials said.

The team has commenced work at the i-CBTC lab of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and will soon develop and deploy a prototype i-CBTC product on a “designated test track” within the DMRC network, they said.

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With this partnership, the Delhi Metro and BEL are set to “usher in a new era of rail transportation in India”, driving innovation, reducing costs, and fostering self-reliance in the field of train control signalling systems, the DMRC said in a statement.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of Vikas Kumar, Managing Director of the DMRC.

“This groundbreaking partnership is aligned with the ‘Make in India’ initiative, championed by the Government of India under the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs,” the statement said.

The i-CBTC project signifies a significant leap forward for the Delhi Metro, the officials said.

“By embracing this cutting-edge Communication-Based Train Control System, which is widely adopted by leading metros worldwide, the DMRC aims to optimise train operations, increase frequency, and enhance passenger services while efficiently utilising rail infrastructure,” it said.

Already showcasing its commitment to innovation, the DMRC deployed the indigenous Automatic Train Supervision System (i-ATS) on its Red Line earlier this year, tailored to Indian conditions.

“The development of i-CBTC is meant to be a monumental stride towards self-reliance in metro signalling and train control systems, reducing dependence on foreign vendors and fostering indigenisation and standardisation,” the statement said.

This endeavour is driven by a dedicated team of 50 engineers from DMRC and the public sector undertaking BEL, “well-versed in signalling technology, software development, hardware development, safety processes, RAMS, testing, and more”, it said.