India's Metro rail agency Mumbai Metro Rail (MMR) has announced plans to purchase driverless trains to run along the 33.5km underground line on the Colaba-Bandra-Seepz route, also known as Metro III.

Metro III corridor is marked with 27 key stations, with 26 being underground. MMR plans to open the Metro system for passengers in phases beginning 2020.

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Mumbai Metro Rail systems director AA Bhatt said that the driverless train will be equipped with new technology that is widely used globally.

Bhatt said: "It will have driverless features alongside communication-based train control system."

"Gradually, drivers will phased out once safe operation has been established."

Initially, the train will operate for one year with the help of a pilot. Gradually, pilots will phased out once safe operation has been established.

MMR said that the communication-based train control system uses digital technology. When the train receives a signal in the cab regarding its speed and location and braking distance, trains will move close behind each other.

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They also consider the safety buffer between two trains.

Using this system, authorities will be able to run more trains at greater frequency.

Driverless technology is currently in use in 27 countries, with the Delhi Metro now having approvals in-place to run similar operating systems.

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