NMRC to resume metro services from Sept 7

M K Rai
-
0
NMRC to resume metro services from Sept 7

Noida ( Metro Rail News ) – Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) on Saturday said it will resume metro services in a calibrated manner from September 7.

The announcement was made after the Home Ministry released Unlock 4 guidelines.
“As per the latest guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs under Unlock-4, the Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) will be resuming its services on the Aqua Line for the public from September 7, 2020, onwards in a calibrated manner,” NMRC said in a release.

He said that further details on the functioning of metro and its usage by the public will be shared once the detailed standard operating procedure (SOP) on metros is issued by the Ministery of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and the Uttar Pradesh Government in the next few days.

Delhi Metro also announced the resumption of services in a calibrated manner from September 7. 
The Home Ministry, in its Unlock 4 guidelines, gave permission to the functioning of metro rails across the country in a graded manner. The guidelines gave more relaxations in the restrictions enforced to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Mumbai Metro Line 3 faces delay as state examines alternate car shed sites

M K Rai
-
1
Mumbai Metro Line 3 faces delay as state examines alternate car shed sites

Mumbai ( Metro Rail News ) – The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) is reported to have expressed apprehension that the Metro Line 3 project may be delayed by three years and its cost go up by at least Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 crore if the car shed for the line was shifted from the proposed Aarey Colony.

At a review meeting on Friday, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray asked Mumbai Metro and MMRDA officials to examine whether the proposed Metro car shed in Aarey Colony can be shifted to Kanjurmarg or Pahadi-Goregaon.

“If the MMRCL gets a go-ahead to start work on the Aarey land parcel today, it will take us a minimum of two-and-a-half years to complete the project. However, if we are given an alternate site, work will have to begin from scratch and it will take anywhere between three or more years to complete the project,” an official said.

According to Metro officials, 80 per cent of tunnelling and civil work for the first phase of the Metro had been completed. While the tunnelling and civil work were expected to be completed by March 2021, officials said, it would become futile without the car shed. The delay in construction of the car shed, and a need to find a new location for it, could end up levying an additional financial burden of Rs 2,000 crore to Rs 3,000 crore on the project, they added.

The 33.5-km underground Metro line 3 (Colaba-Bandra-Seepz) passes through Aarey Colony and its car shed was supposed to come up in this forested area. Last year, there were huge protests against the felling of over 2,000 trees in Aarey Colony for the car shed.

In December last year, the CM had formed a committee of IAS officers to review the site for car shed. In January, the committee submitted its report stating “it’s not viable to shift the Metro car shed from Aarey colony to other sites”. Seven months later, however, there seems to be no clarity from the state on whether it would adhere to the committee’s advice.

The frequent delays in Metro Line 3, including the 10-month stay on the construction work on the car shed in Aarey last year, meanwhile, has already led to the project cost spiralling by nearly Rs 9,000 crore, from Rs 23,136 crore in 2011 to Rs 32,000 crore.
buy cialis super active online https://www.mydentalplace.com/wp-content/themes/twentytwelve/inc/en/cialis-super-active.html no prescription
Officials said the proposal to shift the car shed from Aarey land parcel is likely to escalate the cost further.

MoHUA to hold a meeting with metro corporations on Sept 1 to finalise SOP

M K Rai
-
0
MoHUA to hold a meeting with metro corporations on Sept 1 to finalise SOP

New Delhi (Metro Rail News): The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has called a meeting with all managing directors of metro rail corporations on September 1 to finalise the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the functioning of metro trains allowed under the ‘Unlock 4′ guidelines, an official was stated saying.

There are 17 metro corporations in the country. Once the ministry issues the detailed SOPs, they can issue their details keeping in mind local requirements according to sources.

The SOPs already circulated with all metro corporations will be discussed on September 1 through video conferencing, the official said. “All managing directors have been asked to look into the SOP prepared by MOHUA earlier because of the current realities. All suggestions will be considered in the meeting and accordingly, SOP will be finalised,” the official further said.

According to an official familiar with the developments, “The Union Housing and Urban Affairs ministry will reconsider its earlier prepared SOP given the current situation and issue fresh SOP soon. “The Union Home Ministry issued the Unlock 4 guidelines on Saturday under which metro trains will be allowed to resume services from September 7 in a graded manner. Officials said that wearing a mask and social distancing norms will be strictly followed once metro trains start operating.

Metro passengers will be encouraged to follow anti-COVID-19 measures, they said, adding fines will be imposed on those violating the guidelines. Meanwhile, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation said it would resume services for the public from September 7 in a calibrated manner.

Kejriwal welcomes Centre’s move on Metro Resumption

M K Rai
-
0
Kejriwal welcomes Centre’s move on Metro Resumption

New Delhi ( Metro Rail News ) – Soon after Ministry of Home Affairs issued its guidelines for Unlock 4, allowing operation of Metro services in the country, the chief minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday welcomed Centre’s move giving further relaxations in restrictions imposed as a measure against Covid-19 outbreak.

“I am glad that the metro has been permitted to start its operations from Sep 7 in a phased manner,” CM Arvind Kejriwal wrote on Twitter.

In a new set of guidelines issued on Saturday, the MHA gave a green signal for the Metro rail services to resume in the country from September 7 in a graded manner.

The Metro operations have been shut since March after the country went into lockdown against COVID pandemic.

“The Metro rail will be allowed to operate in a graded manner by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA)/Ministry of Railways (MOR), in consultation with MHA. In this regard, SOP will be issued by MOHUA,” the release said.

Four-storey stations on new Aqua Line’s Greater Noida route

M K Rai
-
0
Four-storey stations on new Aqua Line’s Greater Noida route

Noida (Metro Rail News): Stations on the Aqua Line’s Greater Noida corridor from Sector 51 to Knowledge Park V will be built across four floors, officials in the Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) said.

The building housing the stations will also have shops and other commercial establishments which are supposed to help the NMRC to earn more non-fare revenues.

The NMRC earns its revenue only through fare mode as of Pre COVID scenario. The daily ridership is not too well as compared to DMRC and according to estimates, metro coaches on Noida had been ferrying about 25,000-30,000 passengers daily in the months preceding the lockdown.

“As of now, we are considering such a model for stations on the Greater Noida corridor. If this works out, we may replicate it in the other extended routes too,” said Ritu Maheshwari, the NMRC’s Managing Director.

Aqua-Line now has three extensions in the pipeline. While the plan for the Greater Noida corridor has already been approved by the cabinet and tenders are expected to be issued in a week, the route between Sector 142 and Botanical Garden stations has been finalised and is awaiting the NMRC board’s approval.
buy orlistat online https://calibudsman.com/wp-content/themes/twentytwentytwo/inc/patterns/en/orlistat.html no prescription
The third route — from Boraki to Metro Depot — is still in the planning stages.

Work on the Greater Noida corridor will start before the two other routes because its plan has already been approved by the cabinet. Applications for fresh bids will be issued within a week. The need for fresh bids was necessitated as the previous tendering process had to be cancelled after one of the three companies that had shown interest had to be disqualified because of lack of expertise in the field.

The Greater Noida corridor will be built in two phases — the first one will be 9.6km long from Sector 51 to Greater Noida 2. It will have five stations — sectors 122, 123, Greater Noida sectors 2, 4 and Ecotech 12 — and is estimated to cost Rs 430 crore. All these stations will be on an elevated platform and are expected to be built by 2022.


The second phase will have four stations — Greater Noida sectors 3, 10 and 12, and Knowledge Park 5.

Bangalore Metro starts trial runs on Kanakapura Road section

M K Rai
-
0
Bangalore Metro starts trial runs on Kanakapura Road section

Bangalore (Metro Rail News) – Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) on Thursday commenced trial runs on Kanakapura Road (Yelachenahalli-Anjanapura Township) section.
The trial run began at 12:25 pm from Yelachenahalli.

“BMRCL starts its trial runs today in the new Reach 4 extension under Phase 2 of the project between Yelachenahalli and Anjanapura. This will continue for a 30 day period to check all the system parameters at different speeds for safety (sic)“ said BMRCL in a tweet.

BMRCL operated a 6-coach train and covered the distance in around three hours.
buy filitra professional online https://nouvita.co.uk/wp-content/themes/twentynineteen/fonts/en/filitra-professional.html no prescription
“There is a protocol and test plan for the trials. Various systems are checked and parameter values are recorded. The trials were carried out over a period of three hours” said BMRCL managing director Ajay Seth.

The 6.4km elevated section of Phase 2, which will have stations at Konanakunte Cross, Doddakallasandra, Vajrahalli, Talaghattapura and Anjanapura is expected to get operational on November 1.

Siemens Limited approves set for sale of Mechanical Drives business

M K Rai
-
0
Siemens Limited approves set for sale of Mechanical Drives business
  • New Delhi (Metro Rail News) – The Board of Directors of Siemens Limited has approved the sale and transfer of its Mechanical Drives (MD) business for a consideration of Rs. 4,400 million (Indian Rupees Four Thousand Four Hundred million) to Flender Drives Private Limited, subject to adjustment for the change in net current assets and capital expenditure, subsequent to June 30, 2020, up to the date of actual transfer of the MD business.

“The consideration has been arrived at on the basis of an independent valuation, recommended by the Committee of Directors and the Audit committee”, a statement by the company said.

“The sale and transfer of MD business is as going concern and on a slump sale basis, with effect from January 1, 2021. The same is subject to receipt of requisite statutory and regulatory approvals, as applicable”, it said.

The MD business within Siemens Limited achieved a Revenue of Rs. 6,838 million for FY 2019 and had an operating loss of Rs. 553 million.

“Potential growth in this business will require substantial Capex and moreover, there are no synergies with the existing businesses of Siemens Limited. Keeping the interests of the shareholders in mind, the Board of Siemens Limited has approved the sale of this business to Siemens AG which has also announced their intention to publicly list this business via a spin-off”, said Mr. Sunil Mathur, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Siemens Limited.

The land was given to Kochi Metro free of cost with permission to sell

M K Rai
-
0
The land was given to Kochi Metro free of cost with permission to sell

Kochi (Metro Rail News): The land which was allotted to the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) for compensating their losses due to the Kochi Metro service, has been titled to them for free.

The 17.315 acres of land which is worth Rs 138.38 crore as fair price was given in 2012 based on the condition that they should pay the price after 30 years. This land was titled to them free of cost in 2018.

The actual price of the land is over Rs 200 crore. The condition that the land can be sold only after 12 years also was avoided. Now the authorities are trying to give them an additional 16 acres of land in the same way.

The actions are taken in the name of the agreement with the central government that the state should provide land to KMRL for acquiring Rs 98 crore through land development. The land could have been given for lease.

17 acres of land given for free

Earlier, it was decided that the 17.315 acre out of the 33 acres of land owned by the PWD in Kochi can be titled to KMRL for Rs 83.95 crore. This amount will be considered as a loan granted to the KMRL and will allow moratorium for 15 years. After this, they have to pay an interest of 5 percent. After 30 years, the amount should be re-paid as 5 equal instalments.
buy aciphex online blackmenheal.org/wp-content/languages/new/uk/aciphex.html no prescription

However, KMRL sought permission to sell the land in order to reduce their liabilities. Despite the disagreement from the revenue department, a committee of the secretaries headed by the chief secretary took a decision favourable to the KMRL.

Thus according to the cabinet decision, the land was titled to them without any condition including paying the price. The order was issued in December 2018. The state should have helped the KMRL to earn Rs 98 crore as per the agreement made with the Centre. But the state government gave them land worth over Rs 138 crore for free.

Now, the KMRL has requested 16 more acres of land owned by PWD in Kochi. The rest house and other buildings of the PWD are situated on this land. The concerned departments have opposed the move to grant them 16 more acres of land.

DPR for Varanasi Light Metro in Varanasi to be reviewed in Sept

M K Rai
-
0
DPR for Varanasi Light Metro in Varanasi to be reviewed in Sept

Varanasi (Metro Rail News): The detailed project report on Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) phase-I, submitted by Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) in December 2019, for an urban Light Rail Transit (LRT) system transit system in Varanasi will be reviewed in the first week of September.

In its report, RITES has proposed a light Metro corridor between BHEL (Tarna) and BHU (Lanka) after the proposal for Metro sanctioned in 2015 was not found feasible for the old city area and was discarded in June 2019.

Since Metro rail was not found feasible and discarded, RITES was asked to suggest alternatives keeping the topography of the city in mind and has proposed light Metro on one stretch.

“As mass rapid transit system projects entail heavy investment, the government wants to ensure it is feasible, effective and serves the needs of people while keeping in mind the ground realities of this congested city so that it doesn’t become a liability,” said Divisional Commissioner Deepak Agarwal.

The next review is scheduled in the first week of September and will be attended by principal secretary (housing) Deepak Kumar, UPMRC managing director Shri Kumar Keshav, officials of RITES and local authorities according to sources.

Hyderabad Metro loss estimated at RS 260 Crores

M K Rai
-
0
Hyderabad Metro loss estimated at RS 260 Crores

Hyderabad (Metro Rail News): As a result of nationwide lockdown, the Hyderabad Metro officials had to suspend its operations on May 22. However, no one knew that it would take such a long time for operations to resume again. Metro operations across the country continue to remain suspended owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Hyderabad Metro officials are eagerly waiting for the Centre’s nod to begin operations.

L&T operates the Hyderabad Metro Rail project. According to the annual report of L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited, the revenue from operations and other income for the financial year 2019-2020 under review stood at Rs. 598.20 crores (including fare and non-fare revenue). This means Rs 1.63 crore was the daily revenue generated in the 2019-2020 financial year. Until Saturday, L&T has its operations suspended for a total of 160 days and counting, which translates to an estimated loss of more than Rs 260 crore.

In the annual report, it is also mentioned, “The impact of the lockdown owing to COVID-19 pandemic currently can’t be assessed as on the date of closing of the books of accounts as the lockdown is still continuing and there is no clarity on the resumption of operations and amidst with what restrictions. Also, the consequent impact on the financial position and results of the Company for future periods cannot be assessed at present.”

With around 160 days having passed since the Metro operations were suspended in Hyderabad, the L&T staff are eagerly waiting for the Centre’s nod for operations to begin. “We are waiting for the required permissions to begin operations. Even if asked to resume operations from tomorrow, we are ready”, said one official.

While the losses are mounting, it is important to point out that it is likely that L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited may invoke the force majeure clauses of the Concession Agreement.  In the annual report it is mentioned that the company is protected by the force majeure clauses of the Concession Agreement.

Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland to get rail connectivity by 2023

M K Rai
-
0
Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland to get rail connectivity by 2023

New Delhi (Metro Rail News): The North-east Frontier Railways (NFR), which has already connected Assam’s main city Guwahati (adjoining capital Dispur), Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh’s capital cities, is laying tracks to connect the capital cities of three more north-eastern states Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland by March 2023.

The first train in the north-east region chugged out from the industrial city of Dibrugarh in eastern Assam 138 years ago. NFR’s General Manager Sanjive Roy said new railway lines were laid to extend the railway lines in three more capital cities of northeast India Imphal (Manipur), Aizawl (Mizoram) and Kohima (Nagaland) excluding Meghalaya’s Shillong and Sikkim’s Gangtok.

“The work to lay the broad gauge railway line has been progressing well in Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland. There are some land-related and other environmental problems in Sikkim and Meghalaya, causing the delay in extending the railway networks in the two hilly states,” Mr. Roy was reported saying.

The NFR General Manager said that the government had sanctioned electrification of railway lines in the region and tender-related work was being undertaken for the purpose. He said, “The works for the 12.23-km Agartala (Tripura)-Akhaura (Bangladesh) new railway lines are underway and it would be completed by March next year.”

The Agartala-Akhaura railway line would facilitate ferrying of goods to and from both the countries and greatly benefit India’s land-locked north-eastern states. The journey time between Agartala and Kolkata via Bangladesh would be reduced by a third, from 1,613 km through mountainous terrain to only 514 km.

Linking with the existing Agartala railway station, of the 12.23 km India-Bangladesh new railway line, 5.46 km railway tracks were laid in India (on the outskirts of the capital city Agartala) and 6.57 km railway line laid on the Bangladesh side.

The Rs 972-crore project was finalised in January 2010 when Bangladesh premier Sheikh Hasina met the then Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during her visit to New Delhi.

Spending Rs 1,150 crore, the NFR had extended the railway lines up to two bordering sub-divisional towns — Sabroom and Belonia — both cities situated along the Bangladesh border, facilitating the link with the railway networks of the neighbouring country.

NFR’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Subhanan Chanda said although the NFR has been able to make headway in most of the N-E states with rail connectivity, Sikkim was still left out of the Indian railway map.

“Work for providing rail connectivity was sanctioned for Sikkim way back in 2008-09. The work could not make much headway due to various environment-related issues as the proposed railway line would pass through the Mahananda wildlife sanctuary. This is a national project and is very important for overall development of the state of Sikkim. Once completed it is expected to boost connectivity of the land-locked state which shares its border with three neighbouring countries — China, Nepal and Bhutan — apart from being strategically important,” Chanda said.

According to the CPRO, of the 44.96-km stretch, 41.55 km fall in West Bengal and 3.41 km in Sikkim. The entire section is being constructed using the latest technology so that trains can run at a speed of 100 kmph. The anticipated project cost would be nearly Rs 8,900 crore of which nearly Rs 335.52 crore have already been utilised till July 2020.

Yediyurappa to Flag off First RORO Train from Bengaluru to Solapur on Sunday

M K Rai
-
0
Yediyurappa to Flag off First RORO Train from Bengaluru to Solapur on Sunday

Bangalore (Metro Rail News): The proposed ‘Roll On Roll Off’ (RORO) train between Bengaluru and Solapur in Maharashtra consisting of the open flat wagon on which trucks with goods are loaded is scheduled to start from Sunday, the South Western Railway said in a statement. In a statement, the SWR said Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa will flag off the RORO train from Nelamagala station on the city outskirts at 9:15 am on Sunday.

He will be accompanied by Union Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi, State Revenue Minister R Ashoka and senior Railway officials. The SWR said, “The driver and cleaner of the lorries sit in their vehicles. They are dropped at a particular pointfrom which they drive off.”

As many as 42 trucks with goods can be carried at time in this train. The train will run via Dharmavaram, Guntakal, Raichurand Wadi to reach Bale near Solapur in Maharashtra.

According to SWR, the RORO service reduces accidents on the road, improves safety, saves fuel, and foreignexchange.
buy synthroid online https://pridedentaloffice.com/wp-content/themes/twentytwentyone/inc/en/synthroid.html no prescription
It ensures faster transport of essential goods, perishables, food items and smaller cargo, it said.

While it facilitates large-scale movement of goods and reduces pollution, the cost of transport is lesser than transport by road.

West Bengal Government Writes to Railway Board for local trains

M K Rai
-
0
West Bengal Government Writes to Railway Board for local trains

Kolkata (Metro Rail News) – The West Bengal government has written a letter to the Railway Board, stating that metro and local train services can be resumed in a limited manner in the state but with all health safety protocols. The government also requested the board to put in place the required logistics for smooth operations of the services.

In a letter to the Railway Board chairman, state Home Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay said, “This is to bring to your notice that state government is of the view that metro and local train services can be resumed in Bengal in a limited manner maintaining the norms of physical distancing and health hygiene protocols.”

Before resumption of the services, the required modalities and logistics to ensure smooth operation may be worked out in consultation with the state government, the letter, sent to the board on Friday, said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had on Wednesday said her government is willing to allow one-fourth of suburban trains services and full Metro Railway services with adequate safety protocols, including social distancing from September 1.
buy kamagra soft online https://pridedentaloffice.com/wp-content/themes/twentytwentyone/inc/en/kamagra-soft.html no prescription

GMRC completes tunnel-digging work

M K Rai
-
0
GMRC completes tunnel-digging work

AHMEDABAD (Metro Rail News): The GMRC (Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation) on Friday completed the tunnel-boring work and two machines finally surfaced at the Shahpur end of the 6.5km tunnel from Shahpur to Apparel Park.
When the three-year toil of the two tunnel-boring machines (TBMs) ended, workers chanted celebratory slogans and waved the tricolour. 

In February 2019, two TBMs had emerged near the Kalupur station. Eighteen months later, the other two pushed themselves out in Shahpur near the riverfront. A ceremony was held at the Kalupurmetre gauge railway station at which the GMRC announced the completion of the tunnel. The Apparel Park to Shahpur stretch has four stations: Kankaria East, Kalupur, Gheekanta, and Shahpur. 

Amit Gupta, the chief general manager of the GMRC was stated saying, “the tunnelling work was completed in three years and four TBMs were deployed. In all, 52,000 cubic metres of concrete was used for the construction of the tunnel”. 
GMRC officials said that tenders were issued for the project in March 2017, and the first machine was lowered in April 2018. The second was pressed into service in June 2018.

Officials said that the second machine completed the work in time as it had data collected by the first machine, which was moving 100 metres ahead. An official said that along the entire project stretch, four incidents were reported — foam had gushed into some houses and a portion of a building had collapsed in Maninagar. 
The officials said that the work to install signalling systems, tracks, and power lines will take about 18 months. 

1...370371372...652Page 371 of 652