NGT says EIA must before construction of commercial complex above Bhikaji Cama Place metro station

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NGT says EIA must before construction of commercial complex above Bhikaji Cama Place metro station

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): National Green Tribunal has said Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and carrying capacity studies must be carried out before construction above the Bhikaji Cama Place metro station here by DMRC. The green panel took note of a report filed by Principal Chief Conservator of Forest which said inspection at the metro station at Bhikaji Cama Place was conducted along with the officers of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

According to the report, during the site visit, DMRC presented Traffic Impact Assessment study for the proposed commercial development on the metro station at Bhikaji Cama Place. As per the study, there will be an increment in the traffic load on the roads around the metro station and additional Project Development complex will generate insignificant traffic during peak hours.

“Adjacent to this project site, on the Northern side the low-density residential settlement for the Government Employees at ‘Netaji Nagar’ is being developed as a high-density residential colony under the scheme of Ministry of Urban Development, which will also add to the vehicular and human population in this area,” the report said. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said in view of the findings it is necessary that before the proposed constructions are carried out, Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and carrying capacity studies must be conducted.

The concept of “carrying capacity” addresses the question as to how many people can be permitted into any area without the risk of degrading the environment there.
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The tribunal said that the study is conducted by a committee comprising Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), IIT, Delhi and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). “CPCB will be the nodal agency for compliance. The Committee may take into account any other study on the subject and furnish a report within three months by e-mail,” the bench was reported to have said.

The NGT had earlier ordered status quo on the construction of a commercial complex above Bhikaji Cama Place metro station after a plea alleged that it is a designated park as per the Delhi Master Plan, 2021. The tribunal’s order came on a plea filed by “residents of Delhi through senior citizen Shobha Aggarwal” against the alleged illegal construction of the commercial complex above the metro station by the DMRC.

The plea, filed through advocate Saliq Shafique, said the area, which is spread over approximately a hectare, is designated as a park as per the Delhi Master Plan, 2021, and located on Sudhir Tyagi Marg in Netaji Nagar here. According to the plea, the DMRC in 2012 proposed construction of an underground metro station at Bhikaji Cama Place for expansion of its Phase III of MRTS (Majlis Park to Shiv Vihar) Project.

The metro station was proposed to be built underground. It was designed to be constructed under the district park and the first parcel of land was transferred on a temporary basis for easing the construction of the metro station, it said.

Indian Railways to continue operating the special train services

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Indian Railways to continue operating the special train services

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): In a big development amid the rising COVID-19 cases in the country, the Indian Railways has clarified that no new circular has been issued on the suspension of train services until September 30 which was being circulated on different social media platforms.

In a tweet, the Railways clarified that Special Mail Express trains shall continue to run. It was because of numerous posts on different social media platforms which stated that the Railways has cancelled all regular trains till September 30. These posts were picked up by many news outlets which further forced the Indian Railways to clarify the matter via its Twitter handle.

“Some section of media is reporting that Railways has cancelled all regular trains till 30th September. This is not correct. No new circular has been issued by Ministry of Railways” said one official.
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The Railways has clarified on the matter that the different 230 special Mail Express trains shall continue to run. The Railways had earlier said it may experience a loss of Rs 35,000 crore due to suspension of passenger services in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is not going to start normal operation keeping in mind the health safety concerns created by the ongoing pandemic.

DMRC to upgrade old trains with new features

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DMRC to upgrade old trains with new features

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is all set to upgrade its almost two decades old, first train sets that were manufactured in South Korea. The trains will be refurbished and will now be equipped with stretched LCD screens with dynamic route maps, state-of-the-art CCTV cameras, sockets and USB ports for phone and laptop charging as well as fire and smoke detection system that can be monitored from the driver’s cabin through touch screens. Apart from these facilities, the trains will also get fresh interiors as well as new flooring.

The DMRC is likely to completely overhaul a total of 280 coaches that were initially built in South Korea and later in India for its Phase I project. These trains are mostly deployed on Red Line and the Blue Line. It is being said that the revamp will extend the efficiency of these trains for 15 more years. For each train set, around Rs 6 crore will be spent and the upgradation of these trains will be carried out in Shastri Park, Yamuna Bank, and Najafgarh depots of Delhi Metro.

The flooring of these old coaches will be replaced with non-skid, composite board with noise, vibration, and heat insulation. The coaches will be provided with stretched LCD screens that will display dynamic route maps and will be interfaced with a public announcement system. Also, charging sockets and USB ports with LED indicators will be fitted inside the coaches. Also, CCTV cameras with a minimum recording capacity of 15 days will be provided.

“The trains will be provided with fire and smoke detection systems.
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Live information could be accessed from the driver’s desk from fire and smoke detection systems along with alarm sounders. Moreover, the exact location of a fire would be pinpointed with the help of cutting-edge detectors” said one official.

Mangala Express diverted via Pune till August 20

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Mangala Express diverted via Pune till August 20

PUNE/NASHIK (Metro Rail News): The Hazrat Nizamuddin-Ernakulam Mangala Express has been diverted via Pune due to a crack developing in a tunnel near Pernem railway station in Goa.

According to an official from Bhusawal division, the 02618-Up Hazrat Nizamuddin-Ernakulam Mangala Express — passing through Bhusawal, Nashik, Kalyan, Panvel and forward through the Konkan route including Ratnagiri before reaching Goa and proceed to its destination — has now been diverted from Panvel towards Pune, Miraj, Londa before reaching Madgaon in Goa for its future course of the journey.

“A crack has developed in one of the tunnels between Madurai Pernem Railway stations of Konkan Railway in Goa. Hence, trains on this route have been stopped at least till August 20,” the official said.

Similarly, The 02617-Down Ernakulam-Hazrat Nizamuddin Mangala Express train will run from Ernakulam to Madgaon and thereafter be diverted towards Londa, Miraj, Pune before reaching Panvel and taking its regular course of journey towards Kalyan, Nashik, Bhusawal and Delhi.

“The diversion of the train has been announced with immediate effect till August 20,” he said, adding that the people who have booked the tickets for the train on intermediate railway stations should take the necessary action.

GMRC invites bids worth Rs. 942 crore for Surat Metro

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GMRC invites bids worth Rs. 942 crore for Surat Metro

SURUT (Metro Rail News): Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) has invited Open Tenders from eligible applicants, who fulfil qualification criteria as stipulated in the official tender notification.

The tender consists of “Design, construction and completion of Underground stations and tunnel including Finishes from Surat Railway station To Chowk Bazar Ramp from chainage 7160.6m to chainage 10720m, comprising twin bored underground tunnel between Surat Railway station and south ramp, all cut and a cover portion including Three underground stations viz. Chowk Bazar, Maskati Hospital and Surat Railway Station with entry/exits & connecting subway by Box pushing method and a portion of NATM and Launching and receiving chambers of TBM for Surat Metro Rail Project, Phase-I” 

Key Details:

The details of the tenders are as follows:

The tender is invited for Design, construction and completion of Underground stations and tunnel including Finishes from Surat Railway station To Chowk Bazar Ramp from chainage 7160.6m to chainage 10720m, comprising twin bored underground tunnel between Surat Railway station and south ramp, all cut and a cover portion including Three underground stations viz. Chowk Bazar, Maskati Hospital and Surat Railway Station with entry/exits & connecting subway by Box pushing method and a portion of NATM and Launching and receiving chambers of TBM for Surat Metro Rail Project, Phase-I.

The Approximate cost of work is RS 942.16 Crore(d). The work’s completion period is of 40 Months (3 years 4 months) .

As per the official notification, the tender documents will be available till 14-09-2020 (up to 12:00 hrs) on its official e-tendering website.

CISF in ready mode for metro operations, Govt. nod awaited

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CISF in ready mode for metro operations, Govt. nod awaited

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has started preparations for the resumption of Metro services in Delhi-NCR, although there is no official word yet on when services will restart.

According to CISF officials, they have been asked to make sure services can be resumed at short notice. Delhi Metro services have remained suspended since March 22, when the Janta curfew was observed. While other modes of public transport have been allowed, with restrictions, as part of the gradual easing of lockdown norms, the Metro, which catered to nearly 2.
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4 million passengers daily pre-pandemic, has remained suspended.

According to a senior CISF official, who asked not to be named, the force has been directed to be prepared to resume services. An official from the ministry of home affairs, which is in charge of guidelines for unlocking services and economic activities across India, however, said there has been no date set yet by the government for the resumption of Metro services.

The government is in talks with different stakeholders for the resumption of metro services and Delhi Metro is expected to resume services after independence day as per different reports.

First U-Girder erected in Kanpur Metro project in presence of UP’s Chief Secretary

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First U-Girder erected in Kanpur Metro project in presence of UP’s Chief Secretary

KANPUR (Metro Rail News): “The Kapur metro has been doing excellent work and it has continued to initiate major development work even in these tough times of the Pandemic. I congratulate the whole team for the outstanding work” said Mr. Rajendra Kumar Tiwari, the chief secretary of Uttar Pradesh who was also the chief guest of the program held on Tuesday night.

“Under the aegis of Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC), the civil works of the Kanpur Metro project are being executed at a very fast pace and now another major achievement is going to be associated with the project. In the esteemed presence of Shri Rajendra Kumar Tiwari, Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh, the first U-girder of the project has been erected for the Metro viaduct on Pillar No. 17 and 18 near IIT Kanpur on the Priority Section of Kanpur Metro project. U-girders provide the top deck of Metro viaduct on which track, traction, and signaling system are laid for movement of Metro trains. Total of 638 U-girders are to be laid on the 9 KMs long Priority Section (IIT-Motijheel)” said Mr. Kumar Keshav, the managing Director of UPMRC.

“Metro construction on a priority section of Kanpur Metro the project was commenced on 15th November 2019 in the presence of Shri Yogi Adityanath Ji, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh, and Shri Hardeep Singh Puri Ji, Hon’ble Minister of State, Housing and Urban Affairs (Independent Charge), Govt. of India. It is a great achievement that in just 8½ months since start of the piling work for the project, UPMRC has successfully erected the first U-girder on Tuesday” Mr. Kumar Keshav said.

The civil construction work of the project got hampered due to the lockdown on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.However, the efficient strategy of the Metro engineers, the corporation has made all efforts to recover the time lost in the lockdown. It is working in a greater pace so that the construction works have regained the momentum.

“Construction works were resumed on April 29, 2020, at the Casting Yard and Metro Depot with limited manpower, but the UPMRC has left no stone unturned to bring back the labor strength with strategically sourcing maximum labor locally. Consequently, the labor count crossed the mark of 1000 in just 50 days after commencing work post-COVID-19 lockdown” said the Managing Director.

On the corridor, construction work began on 15th May 2020 and in a very short span, the civil works have regained the progress. Nearly 60% piling work has been completed on the Priority Corridor and 1385 Piles have been constructed so far. Additionally, the erection of 16 double T-girders has also been completed at IIT Metro Station. Significantly, the Kanpur Metro is the first such metro project in the country where double T-girders are being used to prepare the concourse level of the Metro stations to speed up the civil construction and at the same time enhance the beauty of the structure. Construction work of 115 Piers (pillars) has also been completed in the Priority Corridor. Work is proceeding with full vigor even in the Casting Yard for casting of U-girders, double T-girders, and Pier-caps.

Mr. Kumar Keshav was present at the site while erecting the first U-girder stated Kanpur Metro project is among the most prestigious projects of Govt. of India & Govt. of Uttar Pradesh. He congratulated the whole team of UPMRC engineers and contractor for their extremely hard work in these difficult times and reiterated the commitment of UPMRC to implement Kanpur Metro project in the shortest possible time and no stone will be left unturned to achieve the same.

What is a U-girder?

The platform that is prepared and placed on top of the piers (pillars) of the viaduct, on which the metro track is laid, is called a U-girder. These girders are pre-casted or pre-fabricated in the casting yard and are then placed with a crane over the pillars at a fixed time (at night) considering the aspect of safety.

Specifications of a U-Girder:

Around 638 U-girders will be used under the Priority Corridor. A girder will have a length of about 27 meters and a weight of about 147 tons. An arrangement has been made to prepare 18 girders simultaneously in the casting yard of Kanpur Metro and a complete set of 6 girders are prepared at one time.

Delhi – Varanasi HSR’s Final Alignment Design attracts four firms

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NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Four design and engineering firms have submitted bids to prepare the final alignment design including an aerial LiDAR survey for the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the upcoming 865 km Delhi – Varanasi High-Speed Rail (DVHSR Bullet Train) corridor which connects both cities through 12 stations.

LiDAR survey is a laser-based surveying technique for rapid and accurate collection of topographic data, and will aid in finalizing the final alignment of this new high-speed rail line in northern India.

National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) originally invited bids for this service in February, cancelled the tender in early July, and then re-invited bids in mid-July with a completion period of 150 days and estimated cost of Rs. 19.57 crore.

Bidders

  • Aarvee Associates Architects Engineers and Consultants Pvt. Ltd.
  • Monarch Surveyors and Engineering Consultants Pvt. Ltd.
  • RITES Ltd.
  • SECON Pvt. Ltd.

Contract: NHSRCL/LIDAR/2020/15

Scope: Final Alignment design including Aerial LiDAR survey and other related works for Delhi-Varanasi High Speed Corridor (about 865 kms. long).

The bids have now been sent for technical evaluation which can take a couple months to complete. When that is complete, the financial bids of the technically qualified bidders will be opened to reveal who’s the lowest bidder and most likely contractor for this service.

Tentative stations on this line provided by NHSRCL in the past include – Delhi, Noida, Jewar, Mathura, Agra, New Etawah, South Kannauj, Lucknow, Raibareli, Prayagraj (Allahabad), New Bhadoi, and Varanasi.

Scope of Works

Final Alignment Report – Detailed Final Location Survey and Studies with final alignment design:

The contractor shall further refine the alignment in the selected alignment corridor by undertaking detailed Final Location Survey using Aerial LiDAR technology along with establishment of Ground Control Network, Pillar fixing, Hydrological Survey (wherever required) and final alignment design (horizontal as well as vertical). For doing this, the contractor shall undertake the following:

Aerial LiDAR & Imagery Survey:

The contractor will undertake Aerial LiDAR Survey complemented by Aerial Imagery in a corridor width of 300 m (150 m on either side) around the proposed alignment. Detailed Specifications are provided in TOR and Broadly the work will involve the following:

  • Collection & paper study of existing alignment reports, data, drawing, documents, ground control points etc;
  • Ground Control Survey to be undertaken as follows:
  • Carrying out reconnaissance survey of the project area for identifying the Control Points locations for carrying out DGPS survey and preparing a plan of a grid network of Control Points on SOI topo-sheets/satellite imagery.
  • Survey of India Benchmarks to be located during the above reconnaissance survey. These benchmarks shall be tested for stability and the same shall be reported to the client. The entire horizontal and vertical control shall be linked to the approved stable Benchmarks for conversion of LiDAR data to MSL.
  • Master Control Network comprising of interconnected triangles (with baseline of about 25km) to be established for overall horizontal control with approx. 25 km baseline length throughout the alignment. Secondary Control Network comprising of interconnected triangles weaved with Master control network to be established with a baseline length of approx. 3-5 km throughout the alignment. Target LiDAR points to be established at an interval of approx. 5 km within the final alignment. To densify Horizontal Control Network, the GNSS triangulation method should be adopted and processing of data for network adjustment should be done to achieve an accuracy of at least 1:100,000 in horizontal.
  • Establishment of vertical control referenced to SoI MSL Permanent Benchmarks to be undertaken by double tertiary leveling along the entire route by connecting target points. The threshold limit for levelling loop closure accuracy should be 12√K mm, where K is circuit length in km.
  • Monumentation of Master and Secondary Control Points shall be undertaken if required in consultation with client as per Section 3.3.2
  • Applying to DGCA/Ministry of Defence for flying permissions as per DGCA guidelines and procedures along with adherence to all security stipulations issued by Ministry of Defence in the issue of the permit. NHSRCL will provide the necessary support.
  • The contractor will mobilize an aircraft/helicopter to site fitted with state of art Aerial LiDAR and Imagery sensors (equipment as per minimum specification mentioned in Annexure 3) after due security inspection as per MoD stipulations.
  • Preparation of flight plan for the Area of Interest.
  • Acquiring and pre-processing LiDAR data and digital imagery with LiDAR collected at a point density of 10 points per sq m with FHA (Fundamental Horizontal Accuracy) of 10 cm and FVA (Fundamental Vertical Accuracy) of 10 cm both at 95% confidence interval level. Imagery is to be taken at a resolution of 10 cm GSD.
  • Pre-processing data to be referenced to MSL with SoI permanent benchmarks.
  • Ground survey/Hydrological survey using traditional methods such as Echo Sounders etc along areas such as river crossings etc where Aerial LiDAR data needs to be complemented, including the following:
  • 4 km (2 km on each side of centerline) along all river crossings with river cross-sections soundings (or alternate acceptable method) taken at centerline and then at every 500 m distance along upstream and downstream of the river and upto 50 m beyond high bank
  • The DEM generated from this data shall be suitably merged with the LiDAR DEM in consultation with the client.

Last month, NHSRCL opened bids for the General Arrangement Drawings (GADs) contract to reveal a total of 25 bidders, while yesterday, NHSRCL received 8 bids for the Environmental impact assessment (EIA) study field work.

Delhi Metro to make a new record as it is going to run at height of an eight-storey building

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Delhi Metro to make a new record as it is going to run at height of an eight-storey building

New Delhi ( Metro Rail News ) – In a recent move, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation is going to scale new heights with the upcoming Janakpuri West-RK Ashram Marg corridor of its Phase-IV project. The project is one of the key recent developments of Delhi metro. In this project, a viaduct of this corridor near Haiderpur Badli Mor will be built at 28 metres, the highest till of all till date.

This section is going to experience a lot of changes along with the building of the highest-ever station of Delhi Metro’s existing network. The proposed date for the casting of piers at this location is October 8.

The platform of Haiderpur Badli Mor, which will come up above the existing Phase-III station, will be the highest-ever at a height of 23.5 metres. At present, the Mayur Vihar Phase-I station on Pink Line is the highest at 22 metres, followed by Karkardooma at 20 metres.

The Delhi Metro with this move become the first metro to commute on such a great height. The sources say that the DMRC is going to take it an opportunity and will emphasize on it in future when it starts the construction work on the site.

India’s deepest Metro vent shaft completed in Kolkata

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India’s deepest Metro vent shaft completed in Kolkata

Kolkata ( Metro Rail News ) – In a major move, the Kolkata Metro has achieved a wonder. The country’s deepest underground rail ventilation shaft equal to a 15 storey building and an important part of the city’s East-West Metro line was completed on Monday according to sources familiar with the development.

The ventilation shaft, which is 43.
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5m deep, was completed jointly by Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC) and Afcons, a private engineering company. Such shafts are not only used to provide ventilation to the tunnels, but also for evacuation during an emergency. The evacuation shaft is located on Strand Road near Hooghly river, said one official.

The Metro shaft has been constructed adopting innovative engineering techniques and methodology to navigate geological challenges and overcome any impact on Kolkata’s circular railway track along the Hooghly, Afcons project manager Satya Narayan Kunwar aid.

The shaft is located very close to the river and abutting with the circular railway which makes its deep excavation very challenging, it said. The circular railway line runs parallel to the river in stretches which will connect Kolkata to Howrah.

Indian Railways to experience a loss of Rs 35,000 Crore with Passenger Train services hampered by the Pandemic

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Indian Railways to experience a loss of Rs 35,000 Crore with Passenger Train services hampered by the Pandemic

New Delhi ( Metro Rail News ) – “The Railways this year is looking at just 10-15% of the passenger segment revenue compared to Rs 50,000 crore last year,” said Mr. V.K. Yadav, the chairman of the railway board.

Indian Railways is currently running only 230 passenger trains with 75% occupancy compared with the more than 13,000 daily mail, express and suburban trains it used to operate prior to the outbreak. “Demand is a concern in the passenger railways and we don’t know how it will pan out in the future,” Yadav said.

Asia’s oldest railway is banking on freight business to offset losses from the passenger segment. “The target for freight loading has been fixed in such a way that whatever shortfall we see from the passenger traffic, it will be made up by freight traffic,” Yadav said but didn’t disclose the revenue it expects by transporting goods.

The government, in this year’s budget, had set a freight loading target of 1,265 million tonnes for 2020-21. The target for freight earnings for the ongoing fiscal is around Rs 1.47 lakh crore, while passenger revenue was estimated at Rs 61,000 crore.

Yadav, however, said he’s optimistic that freight loading will increase by 50% this year compared to last year, and would be achieved by developing infrastructure, improving efficiency in operations and rationalising policies. He said the railways is working on reducing freight costs and transit time of goods.

The railways is also working on a marketing strategy and has decided to set up business development units across different zones in the country to connect with stakeholders concerned, he said.

Barring reduced demand for coal, it’s seeing increased freight as loading of other items like steel, iron ore, grains and fertilisers has increased as economic activity resumed.

To be sure, the freight load till July 27—at 81.3 million tonnes—is already 95% of what it was in July 2019.

Special trains on Konkan Railway to be affected till August 20

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Special trains on Konkan Railway to be affected till August 20

Mumbai ( Metro Rail News ) – Four trains on Konkan Railway including Mangala Special Express, Netravati Special Express, Hazrat Nizamuddin – Ernakulam Duronto Special Express and New Delhi-Thiruvananthapuram Central Rajdhani Special Express had been diverted due to a wall collapse in a tunnel at Pernem, Goa, on August 6.

On Sunday, officials informed that due to problems on the diverted routes, two trains-Netravati and Rajdhani-have been cancelled for a few days following a decision by the Railway Board.
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Train no. 06346 Thiruvananthapuram Central-Lokmanya Tilak (T) Special Express and train no. 06345 Lokmanya Tilak (T)-Thiruvananthapuram Central Special Express are cancelled till August 20.

Train no. 02432 New Delhi-Thiruvananthapuram Central Rajdhani Special Express has been cancelled till August 18, while train no. 02431 Thiruvananthapuram Central-New Delhi Rajdhani Special has been cancelled till August 20.

The Hazrat Nizamuddin-Ernakulam Duronto Special Express will be diverted via Pune-Wadi-Guntakal- Renigunta-Melpakkam-Jolarpettai till August 15.

L&T Metro Rail may invoke force majeure clause with State Government

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L&T Metro Rail may invoke force majeure clause with State Government

Hyderabad ( Metro Rail News ) – As there is still uncertainty looming over the resumption of Metro rail services, L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited may invoke force majeure clause with the Telangana government seeking an extension of the concession period equivalent to the time it could not operate due to the lockdown, the company said in its latest annual report.

 uncertainty still looming over the resumption of Metro rail services, L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited may invoke force majeure clause with the Telangana government seeking an extension of the concession period equivalent to the time it could not operate due to the lockdown, the company said in its latest annual report. The concession period of the project is 35 years, from the appointed date of July 5, 2012, including the initial construction period of five years.

This is extendable for a further period of 25 years, subject to fulfilment of certain conditions by the SPV (special purpose vehicle) as set out in the concession agreement. The L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) said it has already submitted project cost overrun details to the state government for Rs 3,756 crore and “has been pursuing the matter with the government for providing relief.” The original cost at the time of conception was Rs 16, 375 crores which have now crossed Rs 20,000 crore.

Metro Rail operations in the city came to a standstill from March 22 due to the lockdown announced by the Centre. “…However, the company is protected by the force majeure clauses of the Concession Agreement to claim extension of concession period equal in length to the period during which the Concessionaire was prevented from collection of Fare and reimbursement of force majeure costs. The management of the company will study the impact and will lodge appropriate claims within reasonable time once the operations are resumed,” it said the annual report.

Hyderabad and Mumbai are the only two cities in the country where Metro Rail is operated by private players under PPP (public-private partnership) mode and hence the resumption of operations is essential for the healthy survival of the concessionaire, an expert of the public transport said. The company’s revenues from operations and other income for 2019-20 stood at Rs 598.20 crore (including fare and non-fare revenue) as against Rs 318.46 crore for the previous financial year.

The loss before tax and after tax were Rs 382.21 crore for the financial year under review as against loss before and after tax of Rs 147.32 crore and Rs 148.15 crore respectively for the previous financial year. The Concession Agreement includes construction of 71.

Linxon gets Kochi Metro Phase 1B’s Power Supply bid

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Linxon gets Kochi Metro Phase 1B’s Power Supply bid

KOCHI (Metro Rail News): Linxon Private Limited – a Hitachi ABB Power Grids & SNC-Lavalin Company – today announced it had been awarded the complete power supply contract for Kochi Metro’s under construction 2.95 km Phase 1B project which’ll extend Line-1 from Petta to Thrippunithura.

Kochi Metro Rail Ltd. (KMRL) had invited bids for this contract consisting of traction substations, auxiliary substations and a 750 V DC third rail system in March 2020, and opened technical bids on July 14 to reveal 3 bidders.

After technical bid evaluation, KMRL opened financial bids on July 29 to reveal that Sterling & Wilson had placed the lowest bid. However, the contract was awarded to Linxon, for reasons not disclosed by KMRL, after financial bid evaluation making this one of those rare instances where the lowest bidder lost out

Scope: Design, design verification, detail engineering, manufacture, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of 750 V DC Third Rail Traction Electrification and Auxiliary Sub Stations (ASS) and associated SCADA systems for Phase-1 Extension. The power supply contract for Phase 1 (Aluva – Petta) was awarded to Alstom in 2015.

Coming back to Phase 1B, there has been a tremendous uptick in pre-construction tendering activity over the past few weeks. KEC-VNC JV was awarded Phase 1B’s second civil contract for the SN. Junction – Thrippunithura section, while KMRL invited bids for the installation of heavy duty elevators and escalators under package KAE-02.

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