L&T’s TBM Urja Achieves third Breakthrough of Bangalore Metro Pink Line, Reach 6
BANGALORE (Metro Rail News): Larsen & Toubro’s Tunnel Boring Machine Urja (DZ670) achieved its third and final breakthrough at the Shadi Mahal TBM Retrieval Shaft on Bangalore Metro‘s Pink Line (Reach 6), which is 21.386 km in length on 10th January 2023. This marks the 5th in a series of 6 tunnel breakthroughs planned for the 73.92 km Phase 2 project’s Package RT-03.The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) awarded the construction of the 2.884 km twin tunnels between Shivajinagar and Tannery Road in February 2019. After its second breakthrough at Pottery Town Station in June 2022, TBM Urja, a Ø6.67m CRCHI slurry machine, began its final drive in July to build the 688.5-meter northbound tunnel towards Shadi Mahal.L&T’s official completion estimate for the tunnelling drive at the start was 170 days, but they easily beat it. However, even though the milestone was achieved, celebrations were muted due to a fatal construction accident on the 56 km Blue Line at HBR Layout earlier in the day. Urja (Machine DZ670) was the first of nine commissioned for Phase 2 in July 2020, and it started its first drive of 860m from Cantonment Station to Shivajinagar. Its sister machine TBM Vindhya (DZ671), started its third and final drive towards Shadi Mahal Shaft in September 2022 and is expected to finish in March.According to BMRCL’s December newsletter, by November-end, 65.65% of tunnelling work had been completed for Phase 2 (total scope: 21,041m), with a total of 17 out of 26 tunnel breakthroughs recorded 5 on Package RT-01 by Afcons, 3 on RT-02 by L&T, 5 on RT-03 by L&T, and 4 on RT-04 by ITD Cementation.
Alstom Transport Prepares Commences Manufacturing 78 Rolling Stock Coaches for Chennai Metro Corridor 4
CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): Alstom Transport India Limited was awarded the contract to supply 26 Trainsets of three-car configuration at Rs 946 crores for Corridor 4 of Chennai Metro Phase 2 on November 17, 2022. After the contract was signed, Alstom Transport prepared manufacturing 78 Rolling Stock coaches (26 trains) at its Sri City, Andhra Pradesh facility. These trains are manufactured in Alstom’s Manufacturing facility in Sri City, Tada.On January 10 2023, M.A. Siddique, Managing Director of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), visited the manufacturing facility of Alstom accompanied by Rajesh Chaturvedi, Director (System and Operations), A.R. Rajendran, CGM (Rolling Stock), and other Officials of CMRL. He assessed the facilities available for the production of the Metro Trains for Phase 1 of the Chennai Metro Rail Project, which was already being manufactured at the Sri City facility of Alstom, as well as the newly ordered Metro Trainsets for Phase 2, which will have upgraded features along with Driverless Operation at Grade of Automation 4. After appreciating the facilities available at the factory, he asked them to start production as soon as possible to deliver the trains early to the CMRL Phase 2 project.Chennai Metro Phase 2 Project consists of three corridors, one of which is Corridor 4, also known as the Orange Line, which is 26.1 km long. This under-construction line stretches from Light House to Poonamallee Bypass with 30 stations, 12 underground and 18 elevated.
L&T makes Progress on Delhi Metro Silver Line with Casting of First Base Slab
NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Larsen & Toubro poured concrete into casting the first base slab for the Chhatarpur Station of the 23.622 km Silver Line of the Delhi Metro, extending from Aerocity to Tughalakabad with 16 stations on 8th December.Construction work on Package DC-09, the 5.68 km underground stretch, began at the same site in August 2022. The underground station, estimated to be around 20 meters deep, will be connected to the existing elevated Chhatarpur Station on the Yellow Line, allowing for easy transfers between the two.In March 2022, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) was awarded a contract valued at Rs. 1428 crore for Package DC-09 of the 65.1 km Delhi Metro Phase 4 project, with a 42-month deadline. The 6.51 km section, consisting of twin tunnels between Kishangarh Station (chainage 5356.285) and a cut and cover ramp west of Saket G Block Station (chainage 11867.000), will include four stations: Chhattarpur (interchange with the Yellow Line), Chhattarpur Mandir, IGNOU and Neb Sarai. Confirmation is still pending, but likely, the four Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) used for this project will be the same models from Bangalore Metro’s Phase 2, namely DZ669 (Avni), DZ670 (Urja), DZ671 (Vindhya) and DZ672 (Lavi).
IGBC Awards Platinum Rating to 10 Metro Stations on MMRDA’s Dahisar – Andheri East Metro Line 7
MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) has awarded ten metro stations on the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority‘s (MMRDA) Dahisar – Andheri East Metro 7 route as eco-friendly and passenger-friendly metro stations.Ten metro stations on this route have been recognized as beautiful, eco-friendly and commuter-friendly stations. It consists of 10 stations: Jogeshwari East, Aarey, Dindoshi, Kurar, Akurli, Poisar, Magathane, Devipada, National Park and Ovaripada. These stations have been constructed keeping in mind the environmental norms.The design of the stations is also eco-friendly. Also, special attention has been paid to the facilities of commuters and persons with disabilities.
All necessary measures have been taken for the safety of commuters. Keeping all these factors in mind, IGBC has awarded these ten metro stations with a Platinum rating. These ten stations honoured by MMRDA got platinum ratings from ‘IGBC.’The first phase of ‘Dahisar – Andheri East Metro 7’ is slated to begin in April 2022. The work of the second phase has been completed, and soon this phase will be made available to the public. The project is essential for Mumbaikars to clear traffic congestion on the Western Expressway and make Dahisar – Andheri travel fast and easy.
MMRC Reports 82% Progress in Mumbai Metro Line 3 Project
MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) has reported that 82 per cent of progress in overall Phase 1 of the Mumbai Metro Line 3 (Colaba–Bandra–SEEPZ) project has been completed, with nearly 60 per cent of track laying work finished.Head Hardened (HH) rails, manufactured by a Japanese company and imported from Japan, are being installed for track laying work. These rails can withstand about 50 per cent more pressure than normal rails.The first use of Low Vibration Track (High Attenuation) technology in India is expected to reduce the level of noise and vibration by 22VdB (vibration measurement) during train operation. As per the report, Phase 1 of Mumbai Metro 3 between BKC and SEEPZ is likely to be completed and opened to the public by December this year.Over 90 per cent of the stations are ready and 55 per cent of the system work has been done for Phase 1 of the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) Metro 3 underground line, which will consist of 26 stations. These nine underground stations in Phase 1 are being constructed between 20 to 29 metres deep. Until the Aarey metro depot is ready, operations of Phase 1 will be managed by the backup Operation Control Centre at BKC.
Shri Kumar Keshav, CEO DB RRTS India conferred with lifetime achievement award by Indian Concrete Institute
NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Shri. Kumar Keshav, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), DB RRTS Operations India Pvt Ltd. (Former Managing Director, UP Metro Rail Corporation Limited) has been honored with the prestigious- “Lifetime Achievement Award” for his outstanding contributions in cement and concrete, and for his contribution towards society by creating a world class infrastructure in metro transport for the people of Uttar Pradesh-2022’ by the Indian Concrete Institute (ICI), one of the leading non-profit organizations in India, catering to the professional needs of individuals and organizations involved in concrete.Shri. Kumar Keshav was born in the Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh on July 22, 1960, is an IRSE (Indian Railway Service of Engineers) officer and a gold-medalist engineer from IIT-Kanpur (M.Tech.) and IIT-Roorkee (B.E.). He took over as Managing Director of the Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation Limited (now UPMRCL) on 18th August 2014.Under his strong leadership, Uttar Pradesh Metro has achieved distinction in the execution of the Metro project. Lucknow and Kanpur Metro projects became the fastest-ever executed metro projects in the country.The operations of Lucknow Metro commenced on the entire North-South corridor in just four-and-a-half years while Kanpur Metro started functioning in just over two years. Both the projects were inaugurated and flagged off by Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi. UPMRC’s strength in project execution is so unparalleled that even contemporary metro projects in the country have not been able to match up with the speed of deliverance as compared to it.After completing the Lucknow Metro project 36 days ahead of the stipulated period under the leadership of Shri Kumar Keshav, UPMRC then commenced the operations of the Kanpur Metro just in two years and one month despite two severe waves of Covid.The past eight years of his life in UPMRC have remained fully devoted to the implementation of metro projects in Lucknow, Kanpur, and Agra.On 15th July 2022, Shri. Kumar Keshav was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the DB RRTS Operations India Private Limited, which is a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn AG, The national railway company of Germany. Deutsche Bahn (DB) has signed an agreement with NCRTC to operate and maintain the 82-km Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System.
Talking about his journey, Shri. Kumar Keshav Said, “I joined Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (Then LMRC) as the Managing Director in August 2014 and that indeed was a big responsibility on my shoulders. It was since that day that I have only lived and worked for UPMRC. It wasn’t just a job responsibility for me, it was a part of me that will always stay with me. Today, I am extremely proud of what we have achieved together. After completing the Lucknow Metro project 36 days ahead from the stipulated time frame, UPMRC commenced the operations of Kanpur Metro just in two years and one-month despite of two severe waves of Covid-19.He also added, “There’s no shortcut to success. Hard work and dedication is the key. Stay consistent, stay true to yourself, and let integrity guide you in your professional and personal endeavors. We have miles to go before we rest.”
Ghaziabad-Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyay sec becomes longest fully automatic block signalling section of Indian Railways
NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): In order to increase line capacity to run more trains on existing High Density Routes of Indian Railways, Automatic Block Signalling (ABS) is a cost effective solution. Indian Railways has been rolling out Automatic Block signalling on a mission mode.Total Auto Signal Commissioned in FY- 2022-23 (30th December 2022) in North Central Railway is 139.42 RKM.Electronic Interlocking are being adopted on a large scale to derive benefits of digital technologies in train operation and to enhance safetyABS has been commissioned on 268 Rkm during 2022-23. As on 31.12.2022, ABS has been provided on 3706 Route km over IR. With implementation of Automatic Signalling, increase in capacity will accrue resulting in more train services becoming possible.Electronic Interlocking are being adopted on a large scale to derive benefits of digital technologies in train operation and to enhance safety. Electronic Interlocking systems have been provided at 347 stations during 2022-23. So far 2888 stations have been provided with Electronic Interlocking up to 31.12.2022 covering 45.5% of IR.Recently, with the commissioning of Automatic signalling system in Sath Naraini- Rundhi- Faizullapur Station section of Prayagraj Division, 762 KM long Ghaziabad-Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyay section has been fully automated and has also become the longest automatic block signalling section of Indian Railways.
UPMRC floats tender for surveyor, survey team and auto CAD operators for Kanpur Metro project
KANPUR (Metro Rail News): Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) Ltd. has floated e-tenders for Requirement of surveyor, survey team and auto CAD operators on monthly payment basis for Kanpur Metro project.
- Tender Reference Number: KNPSurvey-01
- Name of Work: Requirement of surveyor, survey team and auto CAD operators on monthly payment basis for Kanpur Metro project.
- Approximate cost of work: INR 18,40,634 Lakh
- Completion Period: 12 Months
- Document Download / Sale Start Date: 05th January, 2023
- Document Download / Sale End Date: 16th January, 2023
- Bid Submission Start Date: 05th January, 2023
- Bid Submission End Date: 16th January, 2023
- Bid Opening Date: 17th January, 2023
- The objective of the contract is deployment of Surveyor, Survey Team and Auto CAD operators including Total Station (Reflector less) of 1″ accuracy, two tribatches, one range pole and one set of wireless radio. on monthly payment basis for Kanpur Metro Project.
- Fixing of Control Points on ground and submission of Co-ordinates of Control Points.
- Submission of Topographical Survey in AutoCAD.
- The agency will also mark any structure and trees with Co-ordinates.
- Conduction of GPR Survey for detection of underground utility for Kanpur Metro Project.
JSPL Emerges as Sole Bidder to Supply HHR for Mumbai Metro Line 5 & 9
MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): Jindal Steel & Power Ltd. (JSPL) became the only company to submit a bid for the supply of 6800 MT of head-hardened rails for Mumbai Metro’s 24.9 km Orange Line-5 (Thane – Bhiwandi – Kalyan) and 11.38 km Red Line-9 (Dahisar East – Mira Bhayander) on 5th January.The special tracks for Package CA-159 will be of the grade 60E1 – 1080, as per Indian Railway Specification T-12-2009. They will be manufactured through a special heat treatment process to provide additional strength, reduce residual stress, extend track life, and minimize maintenance. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) floated a tender for this contract in November 2022 with a 365-day deadline and an estimated cost of Rs. 59,46,42,512.Brief Scope includes Supply of 6800 MT 60E1 UIC 60 1080 Grade HH Rails.In November of 2022, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) received two bids for a 32.32km Line-4 head-hardened rails contract from Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL) and Mitsui & Co. If MMRDA is not satisfied with one of the bids, the package will be put up for retendering. However, if they are, JSPL’s bid will be sent for technical evaluation, which is expected to take around a month. If JSPL successfully passes the technical evaluation, its financial bid will be opened to check that it is within the budgeted estimate.
No Hassles Now – Chennai Metro Rail to Offer WhatsApp e-Tickets
CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): Chennai Metro Rail is set to introduce WhatsApp e-tickets in Phase I and Phase I Extension project, which covers nearly 54 km of the city. It will make travelling smoother and more convenient for commuters. The new feature will allow commuters to purchase tickets for their journey via the popular chat application, eliminating the need to stand in long lines at ticket counters. This will help them to get the required information quickly.According to the official, “Commuters can now use WhatsApp to quickly generate a ticket for their journey. To do so, they must send a message to a designated WhatsApp number, indicating their origin and destination stations. Upon receipt of this information, commuters will be taken to a payment gateway where they can use net banking, mobile wallets, and credit, or debit cards to complete the transaction. Once the payment has been made, they will be able to download their ticket in a matter of minutes.”The officials said that with the introduction of this system, there would be no need to queue up for tickets. Instead, commuters can flash their WhatsApp tickets through Chennai Metro Rail gates and take a ride.Since the introduction of QR code tickets for contactless transactions by the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) amid the pandemic, the number of complaints from commuters has reduced. However, some commuters still face glitches while using the QR code tickets. This is because the CMRL commenced operations in the city in 2015 when only tokens and smart cards were available for commuters.
L&T Lowers First Tunnel Boring Machine at Greenways Shaft of Chennai Metro Project
CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): This week, Larsen & Toubro lowered the first of their eight tunnel boring machines, S-1327A, into a shaft in Chennai’s Greenways Road neighbourhood to construct Package TU02 of the 118.9 km Chennai Metro Phase 2 project. The earth pressure balance (EPB) machine is 100m long and 6.65m in diameter and was previously put through factory acceptance tests (FAT) at Herrenknecht’s facility in Chennai back in July. It will be used to construct 24 km of twin tunnels for the 45.813 km Line-3 between Kellys and Taramani Road Junction stations.In May 2021, L&T was awarded an Rs. 2385 crore contract from Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. (CMRL) for Package TU-02 with a 42-month deadline. The machines’ shields have been lowered for the initial drive, and the backup gantry will be lowered and attached later for the main drive. L&T’s tunnelling plan with 8 TBMs currently needs to be discovered. This TBM will excavate south towards Adyar Junction.
In addition to this machine, L&T will deploy a Herrenknecht TBM S-1326A, four new CRCHI machines, and two refurbished Robbins machines from Mumbai Metro Line-3’s Package UGC-01. Both Robbins machines are located at L&T’s Tunnelling Excellence Academy near Kanchipuram.CMRL has rescheduled the submission deadline and opening of technical bids for Line-3 and Line-5’s underground station works (Packages UG-01 to UG-06) at least ten times, with the current opening dates ranging from January 31 to February 22.
In addition to this machine, L&T will deploy a Herrenknecht TBM S-1326A, four new CRCHI machines, and two refurbished Robbins machines from Mumbai Metro Line-3’s Package UGC-01. Both Robbins machines are located at L&T’s Tunnelling Excellence Academy near Kanchipuram.CMRL has rescheduled the submission deadline and opening of technical bids for Line-3 and Line-5’s underground station works (Packages UG-01 to UG-06) at least ten times, with the current opening dates ranging from January 31 to February 22.RVNL bags GMRC project worth Rs 166 crores
GUJARAT (Metro Rail News): Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) has announced that it has bagged a project worth Rs 166 crore from the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC). The project involves design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of ballastless track from Sarthana to Dream city in elevated and underground sections for Surat Metro Rail Project.The project is expected to be completed within a period of 22 months.“Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) – ISC Projects Private Limited JV’ has received LOA (Letter of Acceptance) for design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of ballastless track from Sarthana to Dream city in elevated and underground sections, including connecting lines to depot along with ballasted/ballastless/ embedded standard gauge track for corridor-1, Surat Metro Rail Project, Phase-1,” the state-owned firm said in a BSE filing.RVNL is a state–owned company that undertakes infrastructure development and maintenance of existing railway lines. It has been involved in several major railway projects in India, such as the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor, Kolkata East–West Corridor, and Delhi Metro.The project is expected to be a major boost for the development of Ahmedabad‘s metro rail network and will help in improving the city‘s public transportation system. It will also provide commuters with a convenient and reliable mode of transport.The RVNL project is the latest in a series of infrastructure projects being undertaken in Gujarat. The state government has been investing heavily in the development of its transport and communication systems in recent years. With the completion of this project, the metro rail network in Ahmedabad is expected to further expand, providing citizens with an improved public transport system.
MMRDA floats first tender for construction work of Metro line 12
MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): The much-awaited Kalyan-Taloja Metro Line 12 is one step closer to reality in the next few months.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) floated the first tender for metro line 12 on December 27, and the bids are expected to be opened by February 2.Once the bids are opened, the MMRDA will select the most suitable contractor for constructing the Kalyan-Taloja Metro Line 12. The project’s estimated cost is Rs 11.285 crore, and the construction is likely to begin in November.The works include detailed design consultant for architectural and building services, which include electrical, mechanical, and civil works for depot, stations, staff quarters, operation control centre, and auxiliary structures.EMD for the work is Rs 11.28 lakh and the contract period is 48 months.Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is funding the project. The total cost is 5494 crores.The Kalyan-Taloja Metro Line 12 will be a 20.7 km long metro line connecting the Kalyan West and Taloja. It will have 17 elevated stations, with Kalyan West as the origin station and Taloja as the destination station.Kalyan West is already a part of the Mumbai Metro Line 1, and the new line will provide commuters with better connectivity to the areas of Kalyan, Ulhasnagar, Dombivali, and Taloja.The MMRDA is expecting to complete the project by October 2025. Once completed, the Kalyan-Taloja Metro Line 12 will provide commuters with an efficient and hassle-free mode of transport. It will also help reduce traffic congestion in the region and help reduce air pollution.
Delhi Govt Refuses to Clear Outstanding Dues to Reliance Infra: DMRC
NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Delhi government informed the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in a letter that it was not inclined to contribute the $3,565.64 crore in equity needed as part of the payment for the arbitral award received by the Reliance Infrastructure company Delhi Airport Metro Express Ltd (DAMEPL), the company informed the Delhi High Court on Wednesday.The Delhi government clarified this by stating in its letter that “shareholders of DMRC cannot be held accountable for payments arising out of disputes or contractual defaults,”. Including that the company can borrow money from the Indian government or raise funds on the open market or through externally supported funds to pay its debts.The high court is hearing the Delhi government’s position as part of a case involving the implementation of a $7,200 billion arbitration judgement in favour of the DAMEPL. DMRC has paid 2,600 crores of the 7,200 crores in outstanding debt. It currently owes DAMEPL an unpaid balance of 4,500 crores.This came after the top court requested that the high court consider the case within three months.Reliance Infrastructure owns Delhi Airport Metro Express, whereas the government owns Delhi Metro. The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and the Government of National Capital Territory are the two largest shareholders in DMRC.The board of directors of DMRC were to consider asking the board’s consent at the board meeting held on December 13 to ask the Delhi government and MoHUA—both major stakeholders—to assume financial responsibility for the arbitral ruling that favoured the DAMEPL.DMRC began its rights offering to generate money on December 15 and will end it on January 11. The government letter, however, is now quite likely to cause a delay in the procedure.