Delhi Metro MD Mangu Singh’s tenure extended till March 2021

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Delhi Metro MD Mangu Singh’s tenure extended till March 2021

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Delhi Metro Managing Director Mangu Singh’s tenure has been extended till March 31, 2021. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has issued an order after receiving a request from the Delhi Government. Mangu Singh’s tenure was set to end this month. Singh has been a part of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) since its inception.

This was the second extension given to Singh. The first extension of tenure came in December 2016. Singh had taken over the reins of the DMRC from E Sreedharan on January 1, 2012.

“To convey the concurrence of the Ministry to the proposal of the Delhi Government for the extension of Mangu Singh as the Managing Director of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd with effect from 15.12.2020 to 31.03.2021”, the Ministry said in a letter to Special Commissioner (MRTS) Delhi Government transport department.

The process to find out Singh’s successor will have to be completed by March 31. As per clause 144a of the Articles of Association of DMRC, the Managing Director is to be designated by the Delhi Government with the prior concurrence of the Central Government. The metro phase III works is yet to be completed while the phase IV works have already been started in the national Capital.

Bullet Train Project: L&T Gets another tender worth Rs 1389 Crores

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Bullet Train Project: L&T Gets another tender worth Rs 1389 Crores

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Larsen and Toubro (L&T)-IHI Infrastructure Systems Consortium has emerged as the lowest bidder for the procurement and fabrication of 28 steel bridges for crossing over lines, rivers, highways and other structures for the 508 km Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project, officials said on Friday.
National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) spokesperson Sushma Gaur in a statement said that the financial bids for procurement and fabrication of 28 steel bridges for crossing over railway lines, rivers, highways, road and other structures (P-4 Package) for the MAHSR Corridor were opened today.
“L&T-IHI Infrastructure Systems (Consortium) is the lowest bidder. This is a consortium of Indian and Japanese companies,” she said.
She informed that a total of eight bidders had participated in the bid and only four qualified after technical evaluation.
Among the four bidders were Tata Projects Ltd, Afcons Infrastructure Ltd, NCC Ltd and L&T- IHI Infrastructure Systems Consortium.
She said that it is estimated that about 70,000 MT of steel will be used for the fabrication of these steel bridges and the Indian steel industry and allied supply chains will get a big boost.
“NHSRCL has already sensitised the steel industries to cater to such a huge demand for India`s first High-Speed Rail corridor,” she said.
The NHSRCL has already awarded civil contracts for the construction of 64 per cent of MAHSR alignment which includes five HSR stations at Vapi, Billimora, Surat, Bharuch, Anand/Nadiad, train depot at Surat and one mountain tunnel of 350 metres.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the then Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe had on September 14, 2017, laid the foundation stone for the ambitious Rs 1.08 lakh crore ($17 billion) project.
The initial deadline to complete the project is December 2023. The bullet trains are expected to run at 350 km per hour covering the 508 km stretch in about two hours. In comparison, trains currently plying on the route take over seven hours to travel the distance, whereas flights take about an hour.

High-Level Stakeholder Meeting Held for Ayyampuzha GIFT City

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High-Level Stakeholder Meeting Held for Ayyampuzha GIFT City

KOCHI (Metro Rail News): A high-level stakeholder meeting on the proposed Global City at Ayyampuzha was held in Kochi. The meeting aimed at assessing the market demand for the multi-crore project was attended by industrialists representing Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce &Industry, the Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Kochi. 

The meeting was convened by Kochi Kochi Bangalore Industrial Corridor (KBIC), which is headed by Additional Chief Secretary (Special Projects) Alkesh Kumar Sharma IAS. KINFRA MD Santhosh Koshy Thomas, Ernakulam District Collector S Suhas, Palakkad District Collector D. Balamurali IAS and the representatives of CH2M HILL International Ltd(Jacobs Engineering Group), the master-planning agency attended the meeting.

“The Industries and Trade bodies have given valuable suggestions for an eco-friendly, non-polluting development of the project. They appreciated the plans as the project will create huge investment and employment opportunities. The stakeholders meeting was focussed to identify the specific service, trade and knowledge components in Ayyampuzha project.” said Mr Sharma.

The agency is currently developing the detailed master plan and they are expected to complete it by March 2021. 

Services between Vishwavidyalaya and Rajiv Chowk Stations of Yellow Line of Delhi Metro to Be Affected Today

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Services between Vishwavidyalaya and Rajiv Chowk Stations of Yellow Line of Delhi Metro to Be Affected Today

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Services between Rajiv Chowk to Vishwavidyalaya section of Yellow Line of Delhi Metro will be affected on Saturday night and the Sunday morning as the DMRC is going to undertake track maintenance works on the said section. It is scheduled to be conducted between 11:00 PM (19th December) to end of revenue hours and up to 9:00 AM (20th December).

“To undertake planned track maintenance work on UP line of the above section, train services between Rajiv Chowk and Vishwavidyalaya section of Yellow Line will be run on a single line (through DOWN Line) after 11 PM till the end of revenue services on 19th December 2020 and from the start of revenue services till 9:00 AM on Sunday i.e, 20th December 2020”, said the DMRC.
To ensure that there is no inconvenience to commuters during these late and early morning off-peak hours on 19th/20th December, the Delhi Metro has made the following arrangements: 

1. Normal train services will remain available from Samaypur Badli to Vishwavidyalaya and Central Secretariat to HUDA City Centre sections during the said period. The frequency of the trains will remain as per the routine time table in the above sections. 

2. Due to maintenance work on Up Line in the given section, trains will be available from Vishwavidyalaya to Central Secretariat section with a frequency of 8-18 minutes during the given period.

3. Announcements will also be made at the stations and inside the trains on Yellow Line about the destination of trains and respective platforms for change over during this period.

Jammu and Srinagar to Get Metro Projects Soon: Here are the Details

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Jammu and Srinagar to Get Metro Projects Soon: Here are the Details

JAMMU (Metro Rail News):  Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha recently chaired a meeting at Civil Secretariat to steer Light Metro Rail Projects for Jammu and Srinagar.
The Jammu Light Rail System will have a 23-kilometre length with 22 stations between Bantalab and Bari Brahmana whereas Srinagar Light Rail System will have a 25-kilometre length. The representatives of MAHA-Metro gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding the works related to the project, besides highlighting the key issues on Jammu and Srinagar Metro Rail corridors, according to an official release.

“It was informed that the Jammu Light Rail System will have a 23-kilometre length with 22 stations between Bantalab and Bari Brahmana whereas Srinagar Light Rail System will have a 25-kilometre length which included 12.5-kilometre length from Indira Nagar to HMT Junction and 12.5-kilometer length from Hazuri Bagh to Osmanabad with 24 stations (12 stations on each corridor),” it said.
The Lieutenant Governor stressed upon speedy implementation and directed that the project once approved should be completed within two years from the date of commencement.
He observed that the elevated Metro Rail System will not only facilitate the people but also have a positive impact on the economy and quality of life.
Mr Sinha said that the Metro project for the two cities will be cost-effective and a leap towards sustainable public transport.

Bullet Train Project: Second Agreement Signed between NHSRCL and L&T For High-Speed Rail Corridor

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Bullet Train Project: Second Agreement Signed between NHSRCL and L&T For High-Speed Rail Corridor

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), implementing the bullet train project in the country, signed a second contract agreement with infrastructure conglomerate Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for the design and construction of the 88 km long (approximately) viaducts between Vadodara and Ahmedabad in Gujarat, including the construction of an elevated station at Anand/Nadiad, maintenance depot, and bridges for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor on Wednesday, December 16.

With this, the NHSRCL has awarded civil contracts for the construction of 92 per cent of high-speed rail corridor alignment in Gujarat, which is 325 km out of 352 km in the state. According to NHSRCL, the agreement also includes five high-speed rail corridor stations namely Vapi, Billimora, Surat, Bharuch, and Anand/Nadiad, train depot at Surat as well as one mountain tunnel of 350 metres.

These contracts are likely to provide a boost to the steel and cement industries and its allied supply chains. The total cost of the awarded contracts is Rs. 32000 crores approximately, according to the organisation.

“NHSRCL team has signed two big contracts for the civil works of MAHSR project in last one month. As the construction works will soon start, besides the steel and cement industries the local industries, manufactures and allied supply chains will also get a boost. The construction activities will also create jobs, for which NHSRCL has already started providing construction-related training,” said Mr Achal Khare, Managing Director of NHSRCL.

Earlier, NHSRCL signed a contract agreement with L&T for the 237 km long viaduct between Vapi (Zaroli village at Maharashtra-Gujarat border) and Vadodara (Gujarat). This is said to be the country’s biggest infrastructure contract for construction and design. The contract involved 47 per cent of the high-speed rail alignment, which includes the construction of four corridor stations and a depot.

ADB Approves Loans Worth $500 Millions for Construction of New Metro lines in Bengaluru

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ADB Approves Loans Worth $500 Millions for Construction of New Metro lines in Bengaluru

BANGALORE (Metro Rail News): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $500m loan for the construction of new metro rail lines in Bengaluru, India.
To boost the transportation system, Bengaluru Metro Rail Project will develop two new metro rail corridors.
ADB South Asia senior transport specialist Kaoru Kasahara said,  “This will enhance the economy, improve the urban environment, and make the city more livable. The project supports urban transformation of Bengaluru city through a multidimensional approach of urban public transport and urban development.

“The new metro lines will ease daily travel of commuters and decongest traffic across the city, contributing to overall productivity. The project will provide efficient, punctual, and safe transportation in the city and promote a clean urban environment”, he added.
Under this project, a total of two new metro lines of 56km, with most of the line being elevated, will be laid down along Outer Ring Road and National Highway 44 between Central Silk Board and Kempegowda International Airport.
It will also feature 30 metro stations, which will include multimodal services such as taxi stand, bus bays, motorcycle pools, pedestrian bridges and footpaths.
While designing the facilities, the needs of vulnerable groups such as the elderly, women, children, and differently abled persons will also be incorporated.
ADB will help the state government in formulating urban development plans and their implementing frameworks, and help in focusing on transit-oriented development and multimodal integration by granting an additional $2m for technical assistance.

Uttar Pradesh Metro and Women Constables From UP Police Come Together for Women Safety and Awareness on Nirbhaya Chetna Diwas

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Uttar Pradesh Metro and Women Constables From UP Police Come Together for Women Safety and Awareness on Nirbhaya Chetna Diwas

LUCKNOW (Metro Rail News): Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation observed Nirbhaya Chetna Diwas in co-operation with UP Police when 125 Women Constables of UP Police visited Lucknow’s Metro station on 16th December 2020. 

With an objective to create awareness of women’s rights, safety, empowerment and to promote a safer local journey for women, UPMRC organized an interactive session between the Women Constables of UP Police and the commuters on-board the metro train on a two-way metro ride taken by the Police constables between Transport Nagar Metro Station and Hazratganj Metro Station.

IMG 20201216 WA0003
Woman Constables take a Metro Ride.

The UPMRC also organised a program in the evening to raise awareness for Women Safety. The program was conducted near Hajratganj Metro Station with 1000 Diyas being lightened up by the UPMRC.All senior officials of the UPMRC including its Managing Director Mr Kumar Keshav were present at the event.  

NMRC Records Its Highest Ridership After Resumption of Its Services

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NMRC Records Its Highest Ridership After Resumption of Its Services

NOIDA (Metro Rail News):  Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) witnessed the highest ridership recently with 9822 passengers using the NMRC Services on December 14, the highest since the resumption of its services after lockdown. NMRC has witnessed a massive increase in ridership three months of resuming services after lockdown. 

The services on the Aqua Line were resumed after almost five months of lockdown on 7th September 2020 with partial services. NMRC had ensured all precautions necessary for the prevention of the spread of the Covid 19 virus before resuming services on the Aqua Line. The first day of operations had recorded a ridership of 600 passengers.  On 12th September 2020, NMRC had resumed full-fledged operations on the Aqua Line and had recorded a ridership of 2148 passengers. Since then the ridership of NMRC has seen a steady rise. Since then Aqua-Line has witnessed an encouraging and upward trend since resuming operations after the lockdown. 

This rise can be attributed to the fact that passengers have faith in the safety standards of NMRC and consider the Aqua Line as a safe and secure mode of public transport during the Covid 19 pandemic.  

“NMRC is taking all necessary measures to ensure a safe journey for Aqua-Line commuters. The NMRC trains are also fully sanitised after each trip. The stations, platform and other “contact areas” like Call buttons of lifts, AFC gates, Handle belts of Escalators & Staircases, POS machines etc. are also sanitised at regular intervals. The E- Rickshaws are also regularly sanitised after every journey”, it said in a statement.  

“NMRC staff have been deployed at the station to ensure that passengers follow the government guidelines of wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing”, it added.  Only the passengers with face mask are allowed inside the stations and every passenger is screened for temperature with Thermal Sensors. “To ensure adequate Social distance, markings for standing the passengers have been made at 1 metre spacing at frisking zones, TOM counters and Platforms”, an official said. NMRC currently has 3 ticketing options:-
1. Use of Contactless Smart Card 

2. Use of QR code generated by NMRCs Mobile App. This QR code can also be scanned without touching the smartphone with the Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) gates. 
3. Use of paper generated QR Code which can be purchased from the Metro stations. 
“NMRC is encouraging its commuters to use the first two options as much as possible to help in minimising human contact and help in keeping our commuters safe”, the official added.

India Gets Its First Solar-Powered Miniature Train

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India Gets Its First Solar-Powered Miniature Train

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (Metro Rail News):  Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched the country’s first solar energy-driven miniature train. This endeavour is part of a string of projects worth Rs. 60 crore to elevate the facilities at the tourist village to international standards. The Chief Minister, via video conference, also inaugurated the Urban Park and swimming pool at the eco-friendly tourist village, located on the outskirts of the state capital where the Veli Lake meets the Arabian Sea.
The Miniature Rail has all the features of a fully-equipped rail system including a tunnel, a station and ticket office. The train has three bogies that can accommodate around 45 persons on board at a time
The Chief Minister said, “Artificial steam spouted by the engine of the train, modelled after the vintage steam locomotive, will stir nostalgic feelings. The station house is also designed in a traditional style. The surplus energy generated by the system will be routed to the KSEB’s grid.
” “A tourist facilitation centre, Convention Centre and Art Cafe will be opened at Veli soon. The Convention Centre will have an art gallery, a digital display facility to feature major tourism and cultural centres of the state and an open-air theatre. These world-class facilities will impart a new look to Veli”, he added.

Kerala Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran said that the government had allotted around Rs.120 crore for developing and enhancing infrastructure facilities in tourism destinations in one year alone.
“Of these, administrative sanction has been given to Rs. 60 crore worth of projects for Veli itself. This showed the government’s determination to transform Veli into one of the most attractive destinations for domestic tourists”, he further added. 

Among the projects for Veli, Rs. 20 crore worth of work has been completed, and other schemes are progressing. The Tourist Facilitation Centre will be opened in January next year.

Chennai Metro Rail’s stretch Washermanpet to Wimco Nagar to be ready by January 2021

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Chennai Metro Rail’s stretch Washermanpet to Wimco Nagar to be ready by January 2021

CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): Chennai Metro Rail’s 9km stretch from Washermanpet to Wimco Nagar in North Chennai is to be up and running by January 2021.

The line between Washermanpet and Wimco Nagar has eight new stations namely New Washermanpet, Toll Gate, Kaladipet, Thiruvottiyur, Thiruvottiyur Theradi, Thegaraya College, Tondiarpet and Wimco Nagar. Out of this, Thegaraya college and Tondiarpet two are underground stations.

According to a CMRL official, the trackwork was completed recently in this phase-1 line and the elevation works are almost ready. The final phase works like laying cables for signalling work and electrification works are expected to be completed soon.

“We will do the trial run and later the safety inspectors will do a check. The service will be open to the public hopefully by January end,” the Chennai Metro official said.

The project got delayed due to the pandemic and now it is back in full swing. Ten trains manufactured in Sri City to be used for operations in this stretch. As part of the CMRL’ phase 1 (blue line) extension project, this was launched in 2016 at an estimated cost of 3,770 crore rupees by late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa with an aim to make travelling convenient for residents of North Chennai.

Mumbai Locals May Start From January Onwards

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Mumbai Locals May Start From January Onwards

MUMBAI (Metro Rail News):  Local trains in Mumbai may start from January 1, Maharashtra minister Vijay Waddetiwar said on Tuesday. He said that the government is thinking on those lines and appropriate arrangements have been made. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) recently informed that it was mulling over resuming local train services and a decision will be taken after December 15.
“If the Covid-19 spike gets averted, then we are planning to take a decision on resuming local trains for the general public after December 15,” BMC commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal had said.
“The government is not in favour of imposing a night curfew because it creates panic among people. Hence it has decided to wait and watch till December 25,” Mr Chahal was stated saying. The Mumbai local was opened to people in essential services on June 15 after being shut due to the coronavirus pandemic in March. Instead of the usual 1,200 passengers, the trains were carrying only 700 essential service providers in order to maintain social distancing norms.
Workers considered to be essential service providers were allowed to travel in local trains with identity cards. Later, the BMC had issued an electronic pass with a quick response (QR) code in an attempt to ensure less crowding in the trains.

Under the ‘Begin Again’ Mission, the Maharashtra government in October-end had permitted all women to travel by the locals. Earlier, only women working in essential services and government offices were allowed to travel. 

A Nine Member Delegation Of Foreign Ambassadors Visits Kochi Metro

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A Nine Member Delegation Of Foreign Ambassadors Visits Kochi Metro

KOCHI (Metro Rail News): A nine-member delegation comprising French, German and European Union Ambassadors visited Kochi on Saturday. The delegation visited Kochi Metro Rail Limited’s Water Metro construction sites, the Operation Command and Control Centre at Muttom and also the Water Metro’s boats being built at the Cochin Shipyard. 
The visit also celebrated the 5-years of Paris Climate Change Agreement. Adopted by consensus on 12th December 2015, the Paris Climate Change Agreement, was a historic event in the history of the United Nations.  Emmanuel LENAIN Ambassador of France, Walter J. Lindner, Ambassador to India, Federal Republic of Germany, Ugo Astuto, Ambassador of the European Union to India, Simon HORRENBERGER, Counsellor for Politics France, Hugo SERRAZ, Press & Media Relations Officer France, Bruno BOSLE, Country Director, AFD, Hans Christian Winkle, Head of Public Diplomacy, German Embassy, Karl Philipp Ehlerding, Deputy Consul General, German Consulate General Bengalur and Dr Christoph Kessler Country Director, KfW Development Bank visited KMRL. 
The team also experienced the Non-motorised-Transport initiatives, the E-autos, bicycles and the E-bus, all introduced by KMRL to the city.
German Ambassador Walter J. Lindner expressed his happiness on the progress made by KMRL in the Water Metro project. “Even amidst the COVID and monsoon KMRL has managed quite a lot of progress. I can’t wait to come back in two months for the inauguration. KMRL is an excellent partner. We are glad that we are witnessing results.”
French Ambassador Emmanuel LENAIN lauded the Kochi Metro Rail project and termed it as a state of the art metro. “We are very proud that the project co-funded by AFD is very well interconnected, gender balance is maintained. We are very proud of developments.” he said.
Ambassador of the European Union H E Mr Ugo Astuto said, “In Kochi, we see an excellent example of Team Europe in action and of the EU-India partnership for the promotion of sustainable investments in Urban mobility. We look forward to further strengthening this partnership.”
“The visit of three ambassadors will strengthen the state government’s as well as KMRL’s relationships with these countries and the European Union. KMRL successfully completed the first phase of Kochi metro with partial funding from AFD. We are on the verge of commissioning the Water Metro Project which is being co-funded by KFW” said Alkesh Kumar Sharma IAS. 
“We would be keenly looking forward to the support of AFD and KFW in new Metro projects, Hydrogen fuel cell buses, Bliss city and Non-Motorized Transport projects. We would also like to acknowledge the support of the European Union & other agencies in urban renewal, sustainability & resilience activities through programmes like CITIIS, Mobilise Your City (MYC) and GIZ-supported initiatives in Kochi”, Mr Sharma added.
The delegation visited Cochin Shipyard at 9:30 am and caught a glimpse of the ongoing construction of Water Metro’s Boat. The team then boarded the Pawan doot e-bus and reached Vyttila Metro Station where KMRL MD Alkesh Kumar Sharma IAS welcomed them.  
KMRL team explained the work progress at Vyttila Water Metro station. The team cycled their way to Vyttila Metro station and boarded the train. The European delegation then visited Edappally Metro station to see improved junction and placemaking initiatives of KMRL. The delegation visited the OCC building at Muttom to understand the complete system of Kochi Metro Rail Project. The delegation also had discussions with the KMRL team on various initiatives and future projects of KMRL and other agencies for sustainability, emission cut and resilience in Kochi city. 
The Team led by Alkesh Kumar Sharma Additional Chief Secretary and MD KMRL included S Suhas District Collector, Jafar Malik CEO Cochin Smart Mission Ltd and senior officials of Kochi Metro. Members of the delegation also planted saplings in Muttom complex.

JSPL’s Forward March Continues, Standalone Production Rises by 15% (YoY) in November 2020

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JSPL’s Forward March Continues, Standalone Production Rises by 15% (YoY) in November 2020

– Standalone Production up by 15% (YoY) in November 2020 with 6,14,000 tonnes.

– Exports contributed to 21% of the total sales volumes with 119,000 tonnes.


NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): India’s leading steel manufacturer Jindal Steel & Power Limited (JSPL) has reported robust growth in Steel Production. 

The company witnessed year on year growth of 15% in Standalone Steel Production with 6,14,000 tonnes in November 2020 as compared to 533,000 tonnes of Standalone Steel Production a year ago during the same period. Company’s Standalone Sales also rises with 562,000 tonnes in November 2020 as compared to Standalone Sales of 557,000 tonnes in the previous year during the same period. 

The export sales contributed to 21% of total sales volumes in November 2020. Company’s exports also grew at a rate of 10% (Y-o-Y) in November 2020. 

“Our performance is in line with the India Growth Story, Domestic Steel demand is rising in H2 FY 21 and so JSPL’s production. With domestic markets recovering the company is focusing more on value-added products. We believe the company’s portfolio will witness further strength in the Q3 & Q4 of the financial year” Said VR Sharma, Managing Director, JSPL in a statement.

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