RVNL Awarded Contract for the Automatic Block Signalling work from North western Railway

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has been awarded and received a letter of acceptance (LOA) for the installation of the Automatic Block Signalling on the 51.13 kilometres long Madar-Sakhun Section of the Jaipur Division through North Western.

The contract has been given for a time period of 9 months at an amount of Rs. 63,08,33,695.32.

Rail Vikas Nigam is involved in the execution of various types of railway projects such as new lines, doubling, gauge conversion, railway electrification, metro projects, workshops, major bridges, construction of cable-stayed bridges, institutional buildings, and more. It has a history of recognition for their work, having received Miniratna status in September 2013. Additionally, the Department of Public Enterprises has rated RVNL as “Excellent” for nine consecutive years and placed them at the top among Railway PSEs for four out of the past five years.

MMRDA Gets Approval For Metro Lines 2B and 4

MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): The Bombay High Court dismissed the PIL ( public interest litigation ) challenging the NOC ( No Objection Certificate) of the aviation authority regarding the height restrictions near the Juhu airport.

Following this, the Bombay HC granted the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to proceed with Metro Line 2B from DN Nagar to Mandale.

In order to respond to the PIL, the MMRDA coordinated with the Airports Authorities of India (AAI) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The affidavit submitted to the court includes the details of the security precautions for the safety of the passengers and the airport as per the Regulations of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (Height Restrictions for the Safeguarding of Airport Operation) Rules, 2015.

According to the MMRDA, the NOC was properly issued, and it also clarified the project’s significance.

The Metro Line 2B is 23.643 kilometres long corridor having 20 stations which is being built for an approximate cost of Rs 10,986 crore. The line is divided into two phases, phase 1  connects DN Nagar and National College in Bandra, which will be operational by the end of 2024 and by the end of 2025 phase two, which connects Mandale and Chembur should be operational. Similarly, the MMRDA also received a directive in support of Metro Line 4 connecting Wadala to Kasaravadali, Thane.

The Indo Nippon Chemical Co Ltd. and Shree Yashwant Co-operative Housing Society Ltd. filed a writ petition with the Bombay High Court in year 2018 and 2019 respectively, asserting that they were mistreated by the Metro Line 4 alignment and that it was having an impact on their respective properties. 

They also claimed that the entire execution and implementation of Metro were in violation of the law, including the land acquisition carried out in accordance with the MRTP Act 1966.

PM Launches Railway Projects and Infrastructure Developments in Northeast India

GUWAHATI ( Metro Rail News ): Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri  Narendra Modi launched a series of railway projects along with commissioning a plant of methanol and laying the foundation stone for a bridge over the Brahmaputra river during his visit to Guwahati on Friday.

Modi inaugurated five railway projects virtually from the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati. The newly launched railway projects include the Digaru-Lumding and Gauripur-Abhayapuri sections, and the doubling of tracks between New Bongaigaon and Dhup Dhara. Additionally, electrification of the Raninagar-Jalpaiguri-Guwahati, Senchoa-Silghat, and Senchoa-Mairabari sections was also launched. The total cost for these projects is Rs 7,300 crore.

In addition to these railway projects, the foundation stone for the Palasbari-Sualkuchi bridge over the Brahmaputra river was also laid by the Prime Minister. The bridge is expected to be constructed over the next 3-4 years at an estimated cost of Rs 3,200 crore.

The inauguration of these projects is expected to boost the region’s connectivity and provide a boost to the local economy.

BHEL-TWL Consortium Awarded An Order For 80 Sleeper Class Vande Bharat Train

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): A partnership headed by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has been awarded an order for 80 sleeper class Vande Bharat train after bidding against other bidders in the esteemed tender for 200 trains.

 

The consortium, comprising BHEL and Titagarh Wagons Ltd(TWL), is called Technology Partner.

 

The Contract price is Rs.120 crores (excluding taxes and duties) per train that will be delivered to Indian Railways within 72 months (6 years), which includes the upgradation of Government Manufacturing

Units and Trainset Depots along with the manufacturing-cum-maintenance for 35 years.

 

According to the official statement, the collaboration supplied 80 energy-efficient Vande Bharat Trains that will be produced, tested, and assembled through their manufacturing facilities consisting of Equip, upgrading, operating and maintaining the exclusive place and the ICF–Chennai facility of Indian Railways. The trains must operate at a semi-high speed of 176 or 160 kmph.

 

In addition, an Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) has also been placed.

DMRC As The Lowest Bidder To Operate And Maintain The Mumbai Metro Line 3

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) handed as the lowest-priced bidder to operate and maintain the Mumbai Metro Line-3, which covers 33.5 km from Aarey to Cuffe Parade and has 27 stations. The line runs from the western metropolis’s southern to the northern parts.

As per the information by the DMRC Official, The DMRC has experience in operating and maintaining the most extensive metro system in the Indian Subcontinent in National Capital Region (NCR). It will be suitable to operate the Mumbai metro as it already operates the Rapid Metro in Gurgaon.
In addition, it also built the Kochi Metro, Jaipur Metro, and the Noida Metro and likewise served as a consultant for several other projects across the country. It is currently building the Patna Metro and is also associated with the Aqua Line (Noida-Greater Noida corridor) operation.

The MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority) is building Mumbai Metro Line 3, which is anticipated to be partially operational by the end of this year.

The contract validity is of 10 years, including the work of Revenue collection, including managing ticket sales, maintaining metro assets, making minor structural repairs to buildings and stations, hiring, training, and promptly organizing all staff members, and assisting with marketing and sales.

With the management of contracts that include training and timely organizing competency of their workforce.
Furthermore, the DMRC is also bidding for metro projects across the world in Tel Aviv (Israel), Alexandria (Egypt), Bahrain, Mauritius and  Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam).

NCRTC Awarded Contract To M/S HDFC Bank Limited For Delhi-Meerut RRTS Corridor Financial Advisor Engagement

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): National capital region transport Corporation Limited (NCRTC) has awarded the tender and issued a letter of acceptance (LoA) to M/s HDFC Bank Limited for the engagement of a financial advisor for transit Oriented Based Development of the land allocated to NCRTC at Jangpura, including Jangpura Stations and Stabling lines for Delhi-Merrut RRTS corridor project at an awarded value of Rs. 79,50,000.

In November 2022, NCRTC invited the tender for tender number DM/GC/COR-OF/189.

The Sarai Kale Khan RRTS Station has access to the Jangpura Stabling Yard and Station Site, which will be directly connected to Sarai Kale Khan Station. Therefore, passengers would have access to all three corridors from the Jangpura Station.

In the Delhi Meerut RRTS corridor stretch, the Jangpura site is expected to accommodate a stabling yard and finishing RRTS station. Additionally suggested are operational offices and living facilities for NCRTC.

The Jangpura RRTS Station has been certified as a TOD Node(Transit-Oriented Development)by DDA for use in accordance with the Delhi TOD Policy 2021.

Kolkata Metro Successfully Conducts Its Underwater Journey

Kolkata (Metro Rail News): On 12 April 2023, The Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation Limited (KMRCL) created history by successfully conducting the trial of the country’s first underwater metro rail in Kolkata by its Howrah Maidan journey through the tunnel inside the Hooghly River in Rake No. MR-612 at 11:55 hrs.

The General Manager of Metro Railway of Kolkata, P Uday Kumar Reddy, travelled from Mahakaran to the Howrah Maidan station and described the journey as a “historic event.”

He was accompanied on this journey by Shri H. N. Jaiswal, Additional General Manager for Metro Railway and MD of KMRCL, along with other senior Metro Railway and KMRCL executives. 

When the rake arrived at Howrah station, Shri Reddy performed pooja. After that, Rake No. MR-613 also headed to Howrah Maidan station.

 The underground stretch is 4.8 km, and Howrah metro station is the deepest metro station at 33 m below the surface in India.

The Metro is expected to cover 520 meters under the Hooghly River in 45 seconds. Moreover, The underwater journey from Howrah Maidan to Esplanade will be conducted in trial runs for the next seven months, after which regular services on the route will be operational. 

KMRCL officials say about 9.1 km of the East-West Metro line between Salt Lake Sector V and Sealdah is already operational.

Pune Metro Line 3’s Platform Pier Arm (PPA) Construction Starts On Baner Road

PUNE (Metro Rail News): The overall work of the Pune Metro Line 3 project connecting the IT hub of Hinjewadi with the central hub of Shivajinagar has gained sustained momentum across several sections now along with the viaduct, work for the station pier building is in full swing.

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The first side arm of Platform Pier Arm (PPA) of proposed station no. 18 (PMR 18) of Pune Metro Line 3 was erected today morning opposite YASHADA (Baner Road). Each station pier will have two such arms for the concourse & platform level.

The commendable part is just a year ago, on the same day (April 13)  the very first pier of Pune Metro Line 3 was erected on Ganeshkhind Road.

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What is Platform Pier Arm (PPA)?

The platform arm is a structural entity that is the structural component holding the platform from which the trains are accessed.

Structurally, it is to be understood in two parts, the two branches of the cantilever on either side and the central portion (Protruding Longitudinally). Both of these differ in the nature of the forces they resist and the profile of the cables, apart from their geometry.

There are many types of piers in a typical Metro Mass Transit System anywhere. A series of these piers constitute an entire metro station. Generally, these are designed as huge expanded double portals.

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A unique type of station pier is a singular pier with freely hanging cantilevers branching from either side, supporting the entire station upon its long protruding arms, like a tree. Station piers are the most critical piers that are designed for an elevated metro system in any city.
About Pune Metro line 3:
The Pune Metro Line 3 is a 23 Kilometres elevated Metro rail project which connects the IT hub of Hinjawadi to the Central business district of Shivajinagar.

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It is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project, which is awarded by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) to a consortium consisting of Tata Group’s TRIL Urban Transport Private Limited (TUTPL) and Siemens Project Ventures GmbH.

The Project would be developed & operated on Design, build, finance, operate & transfer (DBFOT) basis by a special purpose vehicle (SPV)to Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited (PITCMRL) for a Concession Period of 35 years, including the construction period.

JSP Will Build A Brand-New 1.2 MTPA Rail Mill In Odisha

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Jindal Steel & Power (JSP) intends to inaugurate a state-of-the-art 1.2 MTPA Rail & Heavy Structure mill at its Angul Steel complex in Odisha as part of its effort to promote an “AtmaNirbhar Bharat.”

The total capacity of JSP to produce rail will be 2.2 MTPA following the commissioning of the new rail mill at Angul. At its current 1 MTPA rail mill in Raigarh, Chattisgarh, JSP has created specialist rails featuring R350 HT, 1175 HT, Asymmetric Rails, and 1080HH rails.

For heavy axle loads above 25MT, these Rails must be imported as a replacement product.
The Bullet Train project, High-Speed Corridors, and other Metro Rail Corporations are the main users of these Rails. The Raigarh Rail mill yearly provides 260 million Rails to the Indian Railways, DFCCs, and other vital projects of utmost national significance.

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The use of such lengthy Rails with few welds is essential for improving track comfort and safety. Almost all of India’s Metro and RRTS systems use JSP’s specialised rails of 1080 HH grade. The USBRL Project (J&K) and the Sivok-Rangpo Project in West Bengal are two examples of special projects with national civil-military significance that utilise such railways for remote communication over challenging terrain.

JSP is dedicated to assisting the government’s Gati Shakt Yojna activities, which are a part of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, by making products made domestically that serve as import substitutes available at affordable costs. According to Mr. Bimlendra Jha, Managing Director of Jindal Steel & Power, “JSP is proactively increasing and enhancing further Rail manufacturing capacity to support the upgrading of the Indian Rail network.

He continued, Even though India has excess rail capacity. “We will be looking to feed markets abroad as well after meeting India’s requirements.” JSP has successfully created 60E1 1175 Heat Treated (HT) Rails appropriate for High Speed and High Axle Load applications to aid in the development of a future-proof national rail infrastructure. Indian Railways has started updating the country’s rail network to support speeds of up to 200 km/h and axle loads greater than 25MT.

Additionally, JSP exports its “Made in India” rails to a number of international locations. JSP has established itself as a top-tier rail maker by providing specialised rail blooms to the European railways. Concerning Jindal Steel & Power: A prominent force in the infrastructure, mining, power, and steel industries, Jindal Steel & Power is an industrial giant.

With a 12 billion USD investment made globally, the company is continually increasing capacity utilisation and efficiencies to seize prospects for creating an independent India.

Patna Metro Construction Site Visit By Daljeet Singh, Director (Works) DMRC At LCT Ghat

Patna (Metro Rail news): The Director of Works for the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), New Delhi, Shri Daljeet Singh, recently visited the casting yard at LCT Ghat to review several projects underway at the casting yard for the Patna Metro Project‘s elevated and underground operations.

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During his inspections, he expressed his concern over the temperature rise. He instructed the officials to ensure all measures were taken on account of the increase in the temperature, which would badly affect the quality of the concrete.

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Measures are to be applied to prevent heat-related damage to ongoing construction projects. He gave us instructions on how to put in sprinklers, chiller plants, and a shed for the garbage bin’s contents. Proper curing should be carried out to maintain the moisture of the concrete and pre-cast buildings in the yard.

Shri Singh also instructed the officials to ensure all measures to safeguard the well-being of workers. Necessary arrangements like proper shade, resting areas, and drinking water facilities must be provided to the workers at all the construction sites, including the Casting yard.

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Besides reviewing the progress work at the yard and the progress work of the underground station at Gandhi Maidan, Shri Singh also reviewed the pre-monsoons preparatory measures being taken by the contractors at the sites. His major concern was the rise in the groundwater level.

Therefore, he instructed the Senior officials of DMRC to start undertaking monsoon preparatory works and measures across the Patna Metro Construction sites and casting yards so that water logging is not there at any point because of ongoing construction activities.

Nagpur Metro Offers 30% Discount On Gazetted Holidays

NAGPUR (Metro Rail News): Maha Metro has decided to provide commuters with a 30% reduction on metro rail fares on Gazetted Holidays along with the Weekend reduction and Students’ Concession already in effect. The step has been made to make  Metro transit more affordable for Nagpur citizens. The availability of this service would begin on 14th April on account of the Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s birthday.

It is frequently impossible to organize a family outing during the workday. By taking advantage of these options, Nagpurians have the chance to travel by Metro in huge numbers. Thus, Gazetted Holidays would allow residents to travel within the city for less money. 

Metro services will be operational from 6 am to 10 pm in all four city directions. Not only school/college students are allowed to carry bicycles while traveling in Metro trains, but they can also avail of a 30 percent discount on the fares.

Maha Metro has provided Maha cards for the convenience of metro passengers. Passengers can get Maha Card instantly from any station through the necessary documents. Maha Card offers a 10 % discount on passenger fares. Maha Metro appeals to Nagpurians to take advantage and avail 30 % discount on fares while traveling.

NCRTC Named India’s First Regional Rail Service As ‘RAPIDX’

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) named India’s first regional semi-high-speed rail service “RAPIDX.”

The services will be offered through the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridors, which are being built to link important metropolitan centers all across the National Capital Region (NCR).

In many languages, the brand name RAPIDX is easy to read and pronounce. In both Hindi and English, the term “RAPID” has already been selected and appreciated by the locals as their preferred transit system whereas, to signify speed and progress, X in the name denotes next-generation technology and the new-age mobility solution. It also represents youth, optimism, and energy.

Rapidx Logo
Rapidx Logo

The brand’s dedication to decarbonization which includes using green energy as well as decongesting the NCR and fewer vehicles on the road is symbolized by the green leaf and NCRTC was tapping green energy by installing solar panels on stations and depots and planned to be increased progressively by using blended power in traction.

People who decide to stay in their hometowns in the NCR will be able to access the national capital thanks to RAPIDX, a cutting-edge, first-rate, sustainable, practical, quick, safe, and comfortable mode of transportation. RAPIDX will make it simpler and quicker for young people in NCR to access a range of options that will help them achieve their goals.

The RAPIDX will serve this 82-km long corridor and greatly reduce the travel time between Delhi and Meerut on the first RRTS corridor, Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut.
NCRTC is targeting commissioning the entire Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor for the public by 2025. However, before that, A 17-km long Priority Section will operationalize before the scheduled time between Sahibabad and Duhai in 2023.

PM Modi Inaugurates Rajasthan’s First Vande Bharat Express Through Video Conference

Rajasthan (Metro Rail News): On 12 April 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the first semi-high-speed passenger train in the world on high-rise overhead electric (OHE) land and the first Vande Bharat Express of Rajasthan (Train No- 20977) through video conferencing.
The initial run of Vande Bharat Express will be Between Jaipur and Delhi Cantt. railway station.

The Ajmer-Delhi Cantt. Vande Bharat Express train covers more than 400 kilometres journey in 5 hours and 15 minutes which is 60 minutes fast than Shatabdi Express and is scheduled to run regularly between the Ajmer and Delhi Cantt from 13 April.
The train begins from Ajmer to Delhi Cantt, connecting Jaipur, Alwar and Gurgaon.

The Train fare from Ajmer Junction to Delhi Cantonment will be ₹1085 in Chair Car that includes₹142 as catering charges which are optional, and for the Executive Class, it will be ₹ 2075 with catering charges of ₹175.
However, The Vande Bharat Express ( Train No- 20978) fare between Delhi Cantonment to Ajmer will be ₹1250, which includes ₹308 as catering charges and ₹2270 in the Executive Class, which comprises ₹369 as catering charges.

This train is expected to provide accessibility to prominent tourist attractions in Rajasthan, such as Pushkar and Ajmer Sharif Dargah, and to encourage socioeconomic expansion in  the region.

OMR To Be A Major Metro Hub Under Chennai Metro Phase II Project

CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): The Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) will become an important metro rail hub with lines passing through the main road at major junctions: Okkiam Thoraipakkam, and Sholinganallur which allow people to switch their trains on different lines to reach different parts of the city and also access to East Coast Road (ECR) and Velachery with the respective stations as a part of Phase II.

If the state government decides to extend lines to ECR and Velachery, the design of the stations at Okkiyam Thoraipakkam and Sholinganallur will be changed to allow for the addition of platforms and tracks in the future. Because of this, connecting ECR to the metro network won’t require building a new route that crosses OMR’s metro lines to connect ECR with the rest of the city; it only needs to be linked to the existing stations at these two intersections.

In Phase-2, Okkiyam Thoraipakkam is part of corridor-3 (Madhavaram Milk Colony to Siruseri Sipcot), whereas Sholinganallur will be an interchange station links the corridor-3 to corridor-5 (Madhavaram Milk Colony to Sholinganallur).

According to a metro rail official, the modifications made to these stations are minimal that won’t significantly raise project costs. The official further mentioned that they could construct a T-junction by linking ECR and Velachery either with Okkiyam Thoraipakkam or Sholinganallur, or both.

The concourse level of these stations will be constructed at an angle to allow for the future addition of platforms and for the creation of integrated stations. It will resemble the foot overbridge that links multiple platforms at Central or Egmore stations.

The Passengers from Anna Nagar, Porur, Alandur, Madipakkam, Nungambakkam, Adyar, and Madhavaram are able to change corridors at Okkiyam Thoraipakkam or Sholinganallur to travel to East Coast Road soon after OMR becomes a metro rail hub.

This metro link will reduce travel time from OMR to ECR or Velachery by 50% to 80%. There are currently four other routes that may be taken to reach Velachery from Sholinganallur in less than 45 minutes during rush hour.