Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu in South India, is one of India’s fastest-growing urban centres. Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has been central to expanding the city’s urban transport network, and our Urban Solutions’ Mobility team has been working alongside them to improve connectivity and accessibility across key corridors and support long-term urban growth.
The Challenge
Constructing a metro system is complex, especially in a densely populated and dynamic city like Chennai, where careful coordination and planning are critical. Each stretch of track had to be integrated seamlessly into the existing urban landscape to ensure seamless, efficient commute.
“With new lines being added in Phase Two, it’s crucial that everything connects seamlessly,” said Rajendran A R, Chief General Manager (Rolling Stock, Signalling & Telecom), CMRL. “This ensures passengers can move easily across the city.”
Long-term planning underpins CMRL’s approach. “We plan at least 35 years ahead, so the system remains scalable and reliable for future generations,” Rajendran added.
The Deliverables
Amid these challenges, we have been a trusted partner to CMRL since Phase One of the metro project. We initially supported the project with communications systems and later delivered AGIL® Platform Screen Doors (PSDs) for the Phase One Extension, with further deployments planned for Phase Two Corridors 3, 4 and 5.
“ST Engineering Urban Solutions has played a key role in both phases of our network’s growth and continues to support Phase Two with the implementation of Platform Screen Doors,” Rajendran said.
Chennai Metro serves one of India’s rapidly growing cities, offering a crucial transportation link that connects key areas across the city
For CMRL, safety and reliability are critical. “Meeting timelines is important, but never at the expense of safety and reliability. ST Engineering Urban Solutions has consistently upheld these standards while delivering on time,” he emphasised.
The partnership extends beyond project delivery. “It’s a long-term relationship, not just about execution, but also about supporting the equipment through its entire lifecycle,” Rajendran added.
“Delivering urban rail projects on time is crucial for cities to unlock the benefits of metro systems sooner,” said Ramaswamy Muthuraman, Head of Platform Screen Doors, Mobility Rail, ST Engineering Urban Solutions. “Our role is to bring global expertise, adapt it to the realities of a live city like Chennai, and ensure the system is future-ready from day one.”
The Impact
At Chennai Metro stations, our Platform Screen Doors have enhanced safety and operations. Built to international standards, the PSDs are engineered for reliability and seamless integration with train control systems. By synchronising precisely with train operations, the PSDs help reduce dwell times and keep services running on schedule.
The PSDs are also the first in Asia, and among the few globally, to have been certified by TÜV SÜD to the IEC 62443-4-1 international standard for industrial cybersecurity, ensuring that cybersecurity is embedded throughout the development lifecycle.
“The introduction of Platform Screen Doors has been highly positive,” said Rajendran. “They enhance passenger safety, reduce accidents and greatly elevate the overall appearance and experience of our stations.
”Beyond safety, the full-height PSDs offer both environmental and economic benefits. They improve energy efficiency by reducing air exchange between platforms and tunnels, particularly in underground stations. Additionally, the doors provide opportunities for non-farebox revenue through digital and physical advertising. Their durable design and easy maintenance further help reduce lifecycle costs.
PSDs minimise dwell times and help keep trains running on schedule.
The Future
The future of metro systems lies in integration, with safety, operations, passenger services and maintenance working seamlessly together to optimise performance. As India’s metro network expands, intelligent technologies such as AI-driven analytics and predictive maintenance will be key to delivering more efficient transport and better journeys.
With our proven expertise in PSDs, suite of integrated smart metro solutions and turkey project delivery, we are helping cities like Chennai build safer, smarter, and more sustainable systems – a model for how cities can leverage technology and engineering to enable seamless metro commutes.
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