Delhi Metro launches first indigenous signal system
The ATS (or Automatic Train Supervision) is a computer-based system, which manages train operations, including basic functioning such as running and halting. The i-ATS will significantly reduce the dependence of Indian Metros on foreign vendors dealing with such technologies, officials said.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Tuesday took a major step towards development of an indigenously-built communication-based train control with the launch of i-ATS — the first Made-in-India signalling system.
The ATS (or Automatic Train Supervision) is a computer-based system, which manages train operations, including basic functioning such as running and halting. The i-ATS will significantly reduce the dependence of Indian Metros on foreign vendors dealing with such technologies, officials said.
The prototype,as well as a state of the art laboratory for further development of the technology, was inaugurated on Tuesday at the Metro’s Shastri Park depot by Union housing and urban affairs secretary, Durga Shanker Mishra, amid the presence of DMRC managing director Mangu Singh, Bharat Electronics Ltd director Shikha Gupta, and other senior officials from DMRC and BEL. 
Some of the important features of this technology are that it can work with train control and signalling systems of different suppliers, which ensures that in case of a snag, the operators will not have to depend on foreign manufacturers. The i-ATS can also work with different levels of technology of train control and signalling systems.
Mishra said, “It is a really proud occasion to start something like this which is going to add strength to our Aatma Nirbhar Bharat initiative.”
Mangu Singh said that the new technology was a step forward towards the development of indigenous systems required in operation of Metro railways. “I am sure that we will be able to work together and scale newer heights to completely indigenise Metro railway construction as well as operations,” he said.
Technology systems such as the CBTC, which are also currently in use in the Delhi Metro corridors, are primarily controlled by the European countries and Japan. As part of the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs had decided to indigenise the CBTC technology.
DMRC has decided to use indigenous ATS (i-ATS) while upgrading the ATS of line 1 (Red Line) i.e. from Rithala to Shaheed Sthal, Ghaziabad. The same shall also be used in all of the upcoming corridors in phase-four.