Budget will aid in recovering economy hit by Covid – 19, more funds likely for Namma Metro: Karnataka CM

BENGALURU (Metro Rail News): On Tuesday, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman would assist stabilize the country’s economy, which had been impacted hard by the COVID 19 pandemic.

According to him, “It was a budget presented in the shadow of the pandemic but has the foresight of bringing the economy back on track. Moreover, since the finance minister addressed all the sectors, it will benefit the common man and the working class as well as the business class.”

He noted that funds for the rejuvenation of MSMEs had been increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh, stimulating entrepreneurship, including the hotel industry. It is a budget for economic reforms, stability, and growth, he added.

Under the shadow of Covid, it aims to reach a 9.2% economic growth rate. According to Bommai, the budget was proposed with a long-term objective of increasing capital investment and consumption. In addition, the budget would empower rural India by focusing on basic infrastructure and programmes such as the Jal Jeevan Mission, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Sadak Yojana. The budget has met the expectations of the general public, with a focus on drinking water, roads, and housing, according to Bommai.

As per Bommai, the budget also includes initiatives in digitalization, utilization of services of town planning experts, increased funding for urban transportation, and an emphasis on the constant development of urban and rural areas.
buy Accutane generic buynoprescriptionrxonline.net over the counter
Its goal is to attain agricultural self-sufficiency. Organic agricultural and oilseed cultivation has also garnered special attention.

As the budget has a significant increase in capital expenditure, the state is expected to get about Rs 3500 crore more under the capital account compared to last year. Karnataka is set to benefit from a big thrust for the railways, national highways and infrastructure projects. ‘Namma Metro’ is likely to get a more significant allocation under the urban transport sector, Bommai said.

When asked if the state’s wish list had been met, he replied that the state’s fiscal deficit had been maintained at 4%. Second, the CM hoped that the state would receive Rs 3,000 crore of its share because the Finance Minister increased the capital outlay for the states from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1 lakh crore to assist with investments in centrally sponsored programmes such as railways, highways, and the Prime Minister’s Gram Sadak Yojna.

He also stated that funds would be allocated to expand Bengaluru’s Metro rail project. In addition, Bommai praised the funding allocated to the development of 25,000 kilometres of roadways to boost surface transportation.

He commented that the plans to run 400 extra trains under the ‘Vande Bharat‘ programme and 200 TV channels to impart education to kids from Class I to Class XII under the Prime Minister’s e-Vidhya initiative the establishment of a digital university are visionary. In addition, Bommai believes that the green light given to the interlinking of rivers, particularly the Cauvery-Pennar, will help resolve the long-standing ‘controversial’ problem between states.

Apex court’s crucial decision on Mumbai-Ahmedabad Rail project

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that no company, including the Republic of India, may be allowed to violate any of the agreements’ terms and conditions, including the loan deed for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad rail project.

The Supreme Court overturned the Delhi High Court’s decision in favour of Montecarlo Limited, whose technical bid for many works related to the Bullet train project was rejected by an expert committee appointed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Justices M R Shah and A S Bopanna were dealing with the question whether in the facts and circumstances of the case and concerning such a foreign-funded project, the High Court was justified in “interfering with the tender process in the absence of any specific allegations of mala fides and/or favouritism.”

The Supreme court released an 82-page judgement stating, “it is to be noted that under the contractual obligation, it was not open for the appellant – corporation and/or even the Republic of India to deviate from any of the terms and conditions of the loan agreement and/or the decision of JICC/JICA. Therefore, in the absence of any allegation of mala fides/arbitrariness and/or favouritism, we are of the opinion that the High Court has committed a grave error in interfering with a conscious decision taken by the JICC/JICA, which has been followed by the appellant.
buy plavix online blackmenheal.org/wp-content/languages/new/plavix.html no prescription

The bench accepted the appeal of the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), which is accountable for the Bullet train project, with Justice Shah saying that the 2021 high court ruling was “clearly unsustainable and the same deserves to be quashed.”

It said, “It cannot be disputed that the Bullet Train Project is a very important National project. However, the Bullet Train Project is a fully foreign-funded project, which was envisaged when the Japanese and Indian governments entered into a Memorandum of Understanding, pursuant to which it was agreed that the said project would be fully funded by a Concessional Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan of Rs.1 lakh crores by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.”

The communications of April 27 and 28, 2021 has been quashed,  in which the private firm was informed that its technical Bid had been rejected on the grounds that it was non-responsive. NHSRCL is a government company formed under the Companies Act of 2013, with equity participation from the Governments of India, the Government of Gujarat, and the Government of Maharashtra. It was formed to fund, build, maintain, and operate the planned bullet train project.

On October 22, 2020, the NHSRCL issued a tender notice seeking bids for ” Construction of Civil and Building Works for the Depot on Design-Build Lump Sum Price Basis for Double Line High-Speed Railway involving works for Site Formation, Abutment, Retaining Walls, Roadbed for the track, Box Culvert, Roads, Cable Duct, Foundations of OHE Masts, Piping, Drainage, Water Supply, Water Harvesting, Fire Fighting, Land-scraping, Boundary Wall, General Inspection Train Shed, Maintenance Depot and other Associated Works at Sabarmati.”

The NHSRCL opened the Technical Bids filed by several bidders, including Montecarlo Limited, on February 19, 2021. The original writ petitioner’s bid and four other bidders were declared unsuccessful.

Five Bidders for Delhi Metro Phase 4’s 288 Coach Contract

DELHI (Metro Rail News): After the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) opened technical bids today, five train manufacturers filed bids to supply 288 coaches (48 trains) for Delhi Metro Phase 4’s Package RS17.

The DMRC had invited tenders for these train cars in June 2021, with a delivery deadline of 236 weeks (4.5 years). Their purchase is funded by Rs. 8,390 crore loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The new trains for Phase 4 must be 3.2 metres wide, lightweight, stainless steel, and adhere to the standard gauge track system. They must also be suitable for CBTC signalling for Unattended Train Operations (UTO) complying with Grade of Automation level 4.

Alstom Transport India Ltd., BEML Ltd., CAF India Pvt. Ltd., JSC Metrowagonmash and Titagarh Wagons Ltd. Were involved in the bidding process.

Trains will be stabled at the following maintenance depots:

  • Line-7 (Pink Line): Mukundpur (existing) and Vinod Nagar (existing)
  • Line-8 (Magenta Line): Kalindi Kunj (existing) and Mukundpur (upcoming)
  • Line-10 (Silver Line): Sarita Vihar (upcoming)

Some of the brief scopes are – PART A: Design, Manufacture, Supply, Testing, Commissioning, Training of 234 Nos. Standard Gauge Cars for Extended Sections of Line 7 & 8 AND PART-B: Design, Manufacture, Supply, Testing, Commissioning, Training of 54 Nos. of Standard Gauge Cars Including Comprehensive Maintenance up to Fifteen Years for These 54 Nos. Standard Gauge Cars for Aerocity – Tughlakabad Corridor.

The Russian company JSC Metrowagonmash is a surprise entry, but the other four are regular bidders for Indian rolling stock contracts.

All five bids have been submitted for technical bid evaluation, which can take several months. The financial bids of the technically qualified bidders will next be opened to determine who is the lowest bidder and most likely supplier.

As previously reported, DMRC introduced a condition allowing a maximum of 72 coaches (12 trains) to be manufactured in an off-shore factory outside of India to promote the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Make in India) mission. To meet the bid terms, the contractor must establish facilities locally, either independently or with an Indian partner.

The Delhi Metro now has 2294 coaches in its fleet, which will increase to 2582 after Phase 4’s RS17 order is completed by the end of 2028.

The contract consists of two parts:

  • 90 coaches (15 x 6 coaches) for the Pink Line’s 12.558 km extension (Mukundpur – Maujpur) and 144 coaches (24 x 6 coaches) for the Magenta Line’s 28.92 km extension (Janakpuri West – RK Ashram)
  • 54 coaches (9 x 6 coaches) for the 23.622 km new Silver Line (Aerocity – Tughlakabad)

Union Budget 2022: Find out what’s in it for Metro Rail Sector

DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Finance Minister presented the Union Budget for this fiscal year in parliament on Feb 1, 2022. However, instead of just the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the Finance Ministry has granted a budget for all Metro Projects in the country.

As a result, the allocation for all Metro projects in India has been made in the Union Budget for the financial year 2022-23. The Minister of Finance of India, Nirmala Sitharaman, has allotted Rs 3,702 crore in equity investment, Rs 1,272 crore in subordinate debt, Rs 14,156 crore in pass through assistance, and a total budget of Rs 19,130 crore for all metro projects in the country.

In her Budget Speech of 2022-23, the Finance Minister said that innovative ways would be encouraged for financing and faster implementation for building metro systems of appropriate type at scale.   In addition, the FM stated that multimodal connectivity between mass urban transport and railway stations would be prioritised in the country.

In addition, Sitharaman claimed that the design of metro systems in India, including civil constructions, will be re-oriented and standardised for Indian conditions and requirements. Meanwhile, the Finance Minister stated in her Budget Speech 2022-23 that the National Ropeways Development Program, which is environmentally sustainable, will be taken up on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis as a preferred alternative to conventional highways in challenging hilly locations.

According to the FM, the goal of this initiative is to improve commuter convenience and connectivity while also boosting tourism. According to the minister, the National Ropeways Development Program may also cover crowded urban areas where conventional mass transit is not practical. In the fiscal year 2022-23, contracts for up to eight ropeway projects with a total length of 60 kilometres would be awarded.

How will you pay DAMEPL: Delhi High Court to DMRC

DELHI (Metro Rail News): On Monday, the Delhi High Court ordered the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to explain how it plans to repay money owed to Anil Ambani’s Reliance Infrastructure-backed Delhi Airport Metro Express Pvt Ltd. (DAMEPL).

“On the next day of the hearing, I don’t want to hear anything here and there,” Justice Suresh Kumar Kait declared while hearing a case related to the 2017 arbitral ruling pertaining to the Delhi Airport Metro Express Line. Otherwise, you may be subjected to an unfavourable order.

While the Reliance Infra-led firm is requesting that the DMRC pay Rs 6,305.40 crores into the Project Escrow Account immediately, the DMRC has already told the court that it only has a total of Rs 6,208.03 crores in its bank accounts, including Rs 1,014.69 crore in profits.

The Supreme Court upheld the 2017 arbitral judgement, which relates to the Delhi Airport Metro Express Line, in September 2021. Only revenues of the metro railway administration can be attached by a court in the execution of a decree or order, according to Section 89 of The Metro Railways Act, 2002.

The DAMEPL said in the latest application before the court that “The non-payment of Termination Payment since 2013 (for over eight years) by the Judgement Debtor [DMRC] has caused immense damage to the Decree Holder [DAMEPL] and its Promoter, Reliance infrastructure Limited. Reliance Infrastructure Limited has infused/funded Rs 2,513.04 crore to the DAMEPL until March 31, 2018, by taking loans from public sector banks. Accordingly, proceedings for liquidation have been initiated against Reliance Infrastructure Limited.”

Despite the Supreme Court’s upholding of the verdict, Reliance Infra has been suffering an enormous and irreparable loss on a daily basis, according to the statement. The DAMEPL has also said in the application that it does not agree to any debt assignment or takeover by the DMRC.

The DMRC said in an affidavit filed with the court earlier this month that it has a total of 1642.69 crore in earnings, but that Rs 514 crore is committed liability “due to employees on the account. Of leave salary and post-retirement expenses.” In addition, rs 114 crore is a portion of smart card security deposits refundable to commuters.

According to the information given to the court, the balance of the 6,208.03 crores available with the DMRC has already been allotted for its different projects, both within and outside Delhi. A significant sum – Rs 2,869.33 crores – has been aside for the Metro’s build stages III and IV.

The DMRC had claimed before the court on December 22 that paying the payment to the DAMEPL right away was a matter of national interest and that if the Metro is stopped, there will be a significant difficulty.

Three metro stations in Gurugram to be equipped with facial recognition cameras

GURUGRAM (Metro Rail News): The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) will deploy facial recognition cameras at three Metro stations in the city to boost security systems, authorities announced on Monday.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has given approval for facial recognition cameras to be installed at Sikanderpur and MG Road Metro stations, according to authorities, while talks are underway to get permission for cameras to be installed at Huda City Centre station.

According to a senior official from the smart city division of GMDA “By February end, we will install facial recognition cameras at Sikanderpur Metro Station and MG Road Metro station with all permissions in place. Eight such cameras will be installed at these two metro stations. At Huda City Centre station, initially two cameras will be installed and we will increase the numbers later on. With both facial recognition cameras and other CCTV cameras in the city, crime and traffic surveillance will improve further.”

On Saturday night, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar conducted a surprise inspection at the offices of the GMDA and the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram. Khattar performed a thorough investigation into the operation of the city’s CCTV cameras, which are monitored by the integrated command and control centre (ICCC).

During his meeting with senior GMDA personnel, the chief minister requested that a facial recognition system be implemented to monitor questionable individuals. According to Khattar, such a system is already operational in Karnal, which is also his hometown. He also advised that the city bus service’s activities be monitored from the control centre.

According to GMDA officials, a meeting between the IT and police departments will be held to explore how the project may be implemented. At the moment, ten facial recognition cameras have been put in Gurugram at Sheetla Mata Mandir and the Gurugram bus stand. The authority plans to install 50 facial recognition cameras across the city, according to officials, though no deadline has been set as areas are identified.

According to Sudhir Rajpal, GMDA’s chief executive officer “We are working with the departments concerned to find out if any specific software is required for enhanced surveillance, and how the tracking from ICCC can be improved. “The chief minister has requested that there be 24-hour surveillance and that traffic fines be levied for night movement, as well as the monitoring of the city’s sanitation vehicles.”

For the monitoring process, the smart city team obtains criminal data from the police department. Officials previously stated that if 60-70 percent of a person’s facial features match, an alarm is sounded at the ICCC, and a team is dispatched to the scene to identify the person.

To identify a particular individual, face recognition technology compares facial traits to the information stored in databases. However, there is a risk of incorrect recognition in these systems due to a variety of factors such as poor lighting and image perspective, according to the officials.

Country’s first RRTS project receives Rs. 4710 cr in Union Budget 2022

DELHI (Metro Rail News): In a major boost to regional connectivity in NCR, the Government of India has allocated Rs. 4,710 crores to the country’s first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project in the union budget presented today in the parliament.

Construction work on the entire 82 Km long Delhi-Ghaziabad Meerut RRTS corridor is in full swing. The corridor will have 25 stations, including two depots and one stabling yard.

More than 14,000 workers and 1100 engineers are working day and night at our sites. Despite the challenges brought in by the COVID-19 pandemic, the progress of the project has been as per scheduled timelines.

So far, 16 km viaduct of priority section, 1200 piers, and 9,900 piles have been concreted. Foundation work has been completed for 56 km of the corridor.

The 17 km priority section between Sahibabad to Duhai is scheduled to be operational by March 2023 and trial runs is expected to begin this year. The complete corridor will be opened to the public by 2025.

“RRTS is a strategic investment of the Governments to transform the mobility in NCR in line with the GatiShakti masterplan. The continued allocation to RRTS reinforces government’s focus on infrastructure expenditure to catalyse the economic revival after the impact of pandemic.” said Mr Vinay Kumar Singh, MD, NCRTC.

“Despite the impact of pandemic on the pace of work and capital expenditure, we are committed to work with our construction partners and other stakeholders to uphold the responsibility bestowed upon us by the Government in keeping the implementation of RRTS as per schedule”, he added

With a design speed of 180 kmph and an operational speed of 160 kmph, the RRTS trains will be unique and one of its kinds in India. The aerodynamic coaches will be self-propelled on electric traction with 25KV AC System. The RRTS trains are being designed with the state-of-the-art latest technology

NCRTC is a joint venture of the Government of India (50%) and State Governments of Haryana (12.5%), NCT Delhi (12.5%), Uttar Pradesh (12.5%) and Rajasthan (12.5%). It is mandated to design, construct, finance, operate and maintain RRTS in NCR and works under the administrative control of Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, GoI.

2nd Edition of InnoMetro: Global Platform to Showcase technology & Innovation for Metro and Railway

New Delhi (Metro Rail News): After a huge success of the 2021 edition, InnoMetro is now coming back with a 2nd edition to serve as a global event platform for the discussion and presentation of ideas and innovations by some of the most eminent leaders and experts from the industry. The event is scheduled to be held from 28th to 30th April 2022 and aims to serve as a forum for all those willing to showcase their ideas, vision, and knowledge in the industry.

With an improved vision and approach to address the latest technology, implementation of innovative ways for building metro systems. The second edition of InnoMetro opens up the door to new and enhanced business opportunities, one-on-one networking systems and an excellent level of interactivity for future growth. 

Some of the key topics that the event focuses on include-

  • Realisation of Atmanirbhar Bharat
  • Make in India: Make for World
  • New modes of Transportation: Metro Neo, Metro Lite
  • Workforce Diversity & Technical Skill Gaps in Metro & Railway
  • Covid Protocol & Difficulties in Rail Transport
  • Ticketing and Payment Innovations
  • Automated Train Examination System: ATES
  • Asset Maintenance and Predictive Analysis
  • Transport Infra Financing: Public-Private Partnership (PPP)
  • Indigenous Exports of Rolling Stock
  • Advancements in Artificial Intelligence for Metro & Railway
  • Increased revenue systems and cost-cutting measures
  • Sustainable & Green Mobility
  • Improving Passenger Experience on ‘Moving Wheels’
  • Metro railways: Promoting Low carbon Transportation in India
  • Data-driven Mobility Systems
  • MaaS- Increasing the sustainability of Transport System

InnoMetro brings together delegates from Central & State government authorities, Ministry of Railways, Metro Rail operators, Architecture Consulting Firms, Smart Cities Development Authorities, Research & Development Organizations and other like-minded citizens & Urban Mobility Experts.

With a record of 100+ speakers, the 2nd edition now focuses on giving a platform to the views of more than 150+ speakers presenting their ideas and knowledge at a global forum to provide valuable insights into the metro and rail industry.

As a whole, the event serves as the perfect blend of product innovations and technologies with new rail infrastructure systems and informed decisions. Thus, the 2nd edition of InnoMetro invites all the industry experts to come, showcase, understand and experience the latest advancements that hold the capacity of shaping the future of the rail industry in the long run.

For more information about the event and to participate as an exhibitor, speaker or delegate, please click on the link below-

InnoMetro 2022 Teaser

Union Budget 2022: FM Nirmala Sitharaman announces 400 Vande Bharat train in next three years

DELHI (Metro Rail News): On Tuesday, Nirmala Sitharaman, the Union Finance Minister, stated that 400 Vande Bharat Express would be introduced in the next three years. “One product, one railway station would be popularised,” Sitharaman said in her Budget 2022-23 speech. 

As per FM Sitharaman in Lok Sabha, “400 new generation Vande Bharat trains with better efficiency to be brought in during the next three years; 100 PM, Gati Shakti Cargo terminals, to be developed during next three years and implementation of innovative ways for building metro systems.”

Moving forward on this parallel track, we lay the following four priorities – PM Gati Shakti, inclusive development, productivity enhancement and investment, sunrise opportunities, energy transition and climate action & financing of investments, said Finance Minister while presenting the Union Budget for 2022-23 in the Lok Sabha.

An integrated approach to planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects in the form of Gati Shakti touching on energy transition, climate action, logistics, and connectivity may arrest the bugbear of cost overruns and time overruns synonymous with Indian infrastructure.” The initial allotment of 20,000 crores towards the 100 lakh crores is commendable and a much-needed step.

However, it needs to be seen how the money will be implemented, and progress on infrastructure projects will be digitally enabled and monitored to eliminate infrastructure delivery bottlenecks. The sluggish pace of implementation has been attributed to several factors, including a siloed approach and environmental issues. However, the National Infrastructure Pipeline offered the initial building brick for rebuilding India’s energy and infrastructure.

According to Vishnu Sudarsan, Partner, J. Sagar Associates (JSA), “Integration and updation of National Infrastructure Pipeline with Gati Shakti with real-time updation on infrastructure projects will boost investor confidence, and rev up the private sector participation.”

Anritsu Introduces vTAP Support for 5G Standalone NEMs on MasterClaw for Encrypted Traffic Monitoring

In collaboration with a major European Network Equipment Manufacturer, Anritsu announced the availability of Encrypted Traffic Monitoring from Network Functions’ Virtual TAPs (Terminal Access Points) in the MasterClaw 5G Standalone (5G SA) Service Assurance solution (NEM).

This enhancement to MasterClaw’s capabilities allows visibility into natively encrypted traffic in a 5G Standalone (5G-SA) Core Network, specifically into the sections deployed according to the 3GPP’s Service-Based Architecture.

“Because the 5G SA architecture offers so many benefits, Communication Service Providers are eager to deploy it in their live networks as soon as feasible,” says Angelo Baccarani, Senior Product Manager for Virtual Probes and Data Acquisition at Anritsu.

 However, these benefits come at the cost of increased complexity in monitoring network function interactions” (NFs). As a result, ensuring that subscribers receive the optimum Quality of Experience is difficult. The encrypted nature of communications between 5G Core Network Functions in Service-Based Architectures is one difficulty (SBA). Monitoring of the network is made difficult, if not impossible. Anritsu now offers a solution to this problem.

NEMs are meeting this challenge by providing Virtual TAPs, integrated with their Network Functions, capable of forwarding clear (not encrypted) HTTP2 traffic (also known as the L7-layer) from the Service-Based Interfaces (SBI) to 3rd-party probes for monitoring.

Although the format and transport of such data are not yet standardised, this approach is gaining traction as a solution to the so-called “SBI visibility problem.” Anritsu now offers a software option for ingesting L7-layer traffic into the MasterClaw Service Assurance solution for 5G in its physical or virtual probe (MPA, Multi-Protocol Analyzer).

It will be correlated with all other protocol processes visible on non-encrypted interfaces (Point-to-Point, Access, or Edge), providing a consolidated end-to-end view of the subscribers’ activities. As per Anritsu, they are excited to engage with current and future clients and partners who are planning or deploying a 5G SA Core based on Service Based Architecture to enable them to maintain deep visibility into their networks.

Agra metro rail stations to reflect city’s heritage

AGRA (Metro Rail News): The metro train stations in Agra will be equipped with cutting-edge technology and automated systems and will represent the city’s heritage and beauty according to a press release by Kumar Keshav, managing director of the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC).

The MD also stated in the announcement that work on the Taj East Gate metro station’s station control room (SCR) has begun, and work on the track, lifts, and signalling systems will follow soon.

As per the press release it stated “The station control room is the most important part of a metro station as from here the station controller monitors all the activities of the station as well as the train operations. The room is fully equipped and automated to receive prompt signals from the operations command centre, the central unit which monitors overall operations of the metro trains.”

Work on railway tracks and lifts, as well as other signalling systems, will begin soon. “Work on the Taj East Gate metro station’s station control centre has commenced, and the metro station’s platform level has also begun to take shape,” he added. The civil construction work for the 3 kilometre elevated part of the first corridor’s priority stretch is currently underway. Taj East Gate, Basai, and Fatehabad Road are the three metro stations on the elevated segment.

In a record period, the Agra Metro team has finished the construction of 684 piles and the erection of all 144 Double T Girders, he added. On December 7, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launched the Agra metro project in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath

DAMEPL asked High Court to order DMRC to deposit Rs 6,208 cr into an escrow account immediately

DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Delhi Airport Metro Express Pvt Ltd (DAMEPL) has filed a new suit with the Delhi High Court, seeking that the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRC) deposit Rs 6,208 crores into the project escrow account as soon as possible. DAMEPL has denied any out-of-court settlements or assignment of debt to the DMRC in its new application.

According to the DAMEPL plea, “The Decree Holder is adamant about not settling the case outside of court. As a result, Decree Holder rejects DMRC’s alternate plan and insists on a merits-based execution as soon as possible.”

The plea further claims that DMRC’s late payment is costing DAMEPL and its Promoter, Reliance Infrastructure Limited, significant harm. The Decree Holder may suffer irreparable loss and injury if the requested reliefs are not granted.

In the last hearing on January 24, 2022, DAMEPL mentioned the same position in the Supreme Court. The Delhi High Court will hear the Delhi Airport Metro-DMRC Case tomorrow, January 31, as ordered by the Supreme Court on January 24. In its order dated January 24, the Supreme Court declared, “The parties must appear in front of the High Court on January 31, 2022, to request an adjournment of the hearing.

We request the High Court to take up the matter at the earliest and dispose of the application without any further delay, as consequences of the pendency of the said application are detrimental to the interest of the petitioner as well as respondent.” Pursuant to this SC order, DAMEPL’s fresh application requests Delhi High Court to fix an early date in the first week of February for the final hearing and disposal of the execution petition.

Reliance Infrastructure injected Rs 2513 crores into DAMEPL through public sector bank loans, and the banks have begun liquidation proceedings against the business. DAMEPL and Reliance Infrastructure Ltd may suffer major consequences if the Arbitral Award is not satisfied.

The delay in satisfying the arbitral judgement is causing DMRC to accrue incremental daily interest of Rs 1.76 crores per day, totaling Rs 260 crores for the period September 10, 2021, to January 31, 2021.

DAMEPL had previously filed an execution case in the Delhi High Court on September 12, 2021, requesting that the court direct DMRC to comply with the SC ruling and pay the business Rs 7,200 crores. DMRC has paid only Rs 1000 crores out of a total of Rs 7200 crores.

The Supreme Court (SC) upheld the arbitration judgement of Rs 7,200 crores in favour of DAMEPL on September 7, 2021. The Delhi High Court had previously stated that Anil Ambani’s Reliance Infrastructure and its subsidiary, Delhi Airport Metro Express Private Limited (DAMEPL), are hiding from the Court and have not come before it with clean hands.

The statements were made while Justice Suresh Kumar Kait was hearing a DAMEPL execution petition seeking implementation of a Rs 7200 crore arbitration award it won against the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). The award was upheld by the Supreme Court as well.

The Bench, on the other hand, stated that whenever the DAMEPL is before the Court, they take a different stance, and that they are continuing to talk to the DMRC outside of the Court, and that the case would be heard again on March 29. DAMEPL signed a deal with DMRC in 2008 to operate the airport metro line until 2038. Due to disagreements between the parties, DAMEPL halted service on the airport line and invoked the arbitration clause against DMRC, alleging contract violations and seeking a termination fee.

PM Modi’s dream project – when will the bullet train start running on the track?

DELHI (Metro Rail News): On February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will propose the budget for the fiscal year 2022-23 to Parliament. Naturally, everyone’s attention is drawn to the budget, which is being presented in the shadow of Corona. However, people also anticipate the Rail Budget with bated breath.

The railway budget was previously issued separately, but the Modi government made modifications in 2017 and integrated the railway budget with the general budget. The Modi government has demonstrated the dream of a bullet train to the country.

In 2014, Sadananda Gowda unveiled the bullet train while presenting the Modi government’s first rail budget. At the time, the government had set a goal of having a bullet train running on track by 2023. The bullet train will go at 320 kilometres per hour with a top speed of 350 kilometres per hour.

The Indian government is working quickly on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (Bullet Train) project with the assistance of Japan. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train (Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train) will travel at a top speed of 320 km/h.

The bullet train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad will have its own high-speed track. This train will also travel beneath the waves. On this route, the bullet train will travel a total distance of 508 kilometres in an average of 2 hours.

According to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, the work on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor Project Corridor for the country’s high-speed bullet train is progressing quickly. He stated that the bullet train will begin operating on the railway in 2026.

According to the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), a bullet train trial will begin in 2026 on the segment built between Surat and Bilimora for the first time. This section is 63 kilometres long. the most work is done under this project is Surat-Navsari-Vapi.

There are also plans to run a bullet train between Delhi and Ahmedabad. The bullet train travel from Delhi to Ahmedabad will take only four hours. Currently, It takes roughly 14 hours to get from Delhi to Ahmedabad.

The Delhi-Ahmedabad bullet train project will have a total track length of 875 kilometres. Rajasthan will construct 75% of the track, totalling 657 kilometres. The bullet train track will also pass over five rivers. Aside from that, there is a plan in the works to run bullet trains on a number of routes.

The survey of bullet train scheme is going on these routes-

  • Varanasi-Howrah (approx 760 kms)
  • Mumbai-Nagpur (approx 753 kms)
  • Delhi-Ahmedabad (approx 875 kms)
  • Chennai-Mysore (approx 435 kms)
  • Delhi-Amritsar (approx 459 kms)
  • Mumbai-Hyderabad (approx 711 kms)

All of these routes are currently being surveyed. National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited would send over the DPRs for all of these routes to the Ministry of Railways in a phased manner by December 2023, once the survey is done. In today’s world, there are several trains (India high speed trains) that travel at speeds of more than 150 kilometres per hour. The Made in India Vande Bharat Express train has a top speed of 180 kmph.

One more station for fast trains on Aqua Line of Noida Metro

NOIDA (Metro Rail News): From February 1, one extra station — Sector 148 — has been added to the number of halts for rapid trains on the Aqua Line, according to officials. Only four stations remain on the line where fast trains will not stop due to low footfall, out of a total of twenty-one.

Sectors 144, 145, 146, and 147 are the stations in question. In February of last year, the Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) inaugurated fast trains on the Aqua Line to minimise commuter travel time. During peak hours, the fast trains were supposed to skip 10 of the 21 stations.

The metro line was shut down for approximately 40 days in May due to the Covid-induced lockout.  When trains resumed service on June 9, 2021, the fast trains continued to skip the 10 stations. However, due to public demand and a concurrent drop in the number of Covid cases, the Noida Metro began allowing rapid trains to pause at the Sector 81 station on August 2.

On August 31, four more stations — sectors 50, 101, 83, and 143 — were added to the list. The Noida Metro evaluated station footfall on January 28 and decided to allow a pause at Sector 148 starting February 1. “The fast trains will now halt at the station from February 1 due to popular public demand and rising development near the Sector-148 station,” said Ritu Maheshwari, managing director of NMRC.

According to a spokesperson for NMRC “With this, now only four stations remain which the fast trains will continue to skip.” On weekdays, fast trains on the NMRC’s Aqua Line run from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. On weekends and gazetted holidays, they do not run. During peak hours, Monday through Friday, the fast train frequency is 10 minutes; during non-peak hours, it is raised to 15 minutes.