The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has developed an indigenously built Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) based signalling technology for the Metro rail network with the launch of the i-ATS under Make in India initiative.
The i-ATS will minimise Indian metro systems' dependence on foreign vendors dealing with such technologies.
The i-ATS (Automatic Train Supervision) is a computer-based system which manages the operation of trains. This system is indispensable for high-density operations like Metro rail services.
The technology systems like CBTC primarily come from Japan and European countries.
As part of the Centre’s ‘Make in India’, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) had decided to indigenise the CBTC technology. Along with Delhi Metro, MoHUA, NitiAayog, Bharat Electronics (BEL) and CDAC are part of this development.
DMRC and BEL have inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for development of this indigenous ATS system.
Delhi Metro has decided to use i-ATS while upgrading the ATS of Red Line i.e. from Rithala to Ghaziabad’s ShaheedSthal. Moreover, the same signalling technology will be used in Delhi Metro’s Phase-IV project.
The i-ATS can work with train control and signalling systems of different suppliers. It can work with different levels of technology of train control and signalling systems. It is suitable for the national transporter, which is now introducing centralised train control on a large scale.
Moreover, predictive maintenance module will also be introduced in the upcoming Phase-IV corridors of Delhi Metro using the i-ATS system.
Meanwhile, for indigenous development of Rolling Stock Drivers’ Training System, another MoU was signed with BEL. This is for training driving and troubleshooting skills to train operators.
The indigenous Rolling Stock Drivers’ Training System will be a replica of the driving cab of Metro train with a computer-based system at the back end, where various reallife scenarios will be created in order to train the operator on driving and troubleshooting skills.
So far, the training systems, known as driving simulators that are procured, are specific to Rolling Stock. The Rolling Stock Drivers’ Training System can be utilised for multiple stocks by selecting from among the options that are available in the database.