MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd also known as MahaRail, last week invited expression of interest (EOI) proposals for shortlisting civil contractors for constructing tunnels on the 234.60 km Pune – Nashik Semi High-Speed Rail project that aims to connect both cities with a greenfield broad-gauge double-line at an estimated cost of Rs. 16,039 crore. A total of 18 tunnels with a combined length of 21680m are planned to be built on this line ranging from 180m to 6640m.Scope: Invitation for Expression of Interest (EOI) for Empanelment of Civil Contractors for Construction of Tunnels and other ancillary works in connection with Broad Gauge Railway Line Project between Pune and Nashik and any other project taken up by MRIDC.
24 stations are planned on the line at Pune, Hadapsar, Manjiri, Kolwadi, Wagholi, Alandi, Chakan, Rajgurunagar, Bhorwadi, Manchar, Narayangaon, Alephata, Bota, Jambut, Sakur, Ambhore, Sangamner, Devthan, Chas, Dodi, Sinnar, Mohadari, Shinde and Nashik Road.
NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Clearing the way for starting construction work of Delhi Metro Phase-IV, the standing committee of North Delhi Municipal Corporation on Thursday approved the transfer of land at four sites for building viaducts and pillars for the RK Ashram Marg-Majlis Park and Janakpuri-Majlis Park corridors.
Three of the four land pockets are with the horticulture department of Rohini zone, while one is being used by the engineering department. The four patches of land measure 507.3 sqm, 112 sqm, 423.3 sqm and 298.97 sqm. A report of the standing committee stated that for a permanent transfer, the entire land cost needed to be paid. For temporary transfer, 5% of the land cost must be paid yearly. An annual payment of Rs 16.5 lakh was proposed for the temporary transfer of the land.
“Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) won’t be able to use the land for commercial purposes without taking permission from the municipal corporation. Also, DMRC cannot sublet or lease the land to other parties on concessional rates for any revenue-generating purposes”, an official said.
MUMBAI (Metro Rail News):Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) opened technical bids for the General Consultant (GC) contract to support civil work of Mumbai Metro‘s 9.20 km Line-10 (Gaimukh – Shivaji Chowk in Mira Road) and 20.7 km Line-12 (Kalyan – Taloja). According to sources, 5 bidders have submitted bids for the work. The role of the General Consultant includes design, review, assistance in procurement, construction supervision (including monitoring of statutory obligations), project management services, contract administration and interface management including assistance in testing and commissioning of both lines. MMRDA had invited bids in July and expects the GC to be onboard for 48 months. The selection is planned to be made on the Quality cum Cost Basis System (QCBS) method with the winner scoring the highest points in the Technical and Financial evaluation.
Mumbai Metro’s Line-10 will be built as a western extension of the 35.2 km Line-4/4A (Green Line) with 4 stations at Gaimukh Reti Bundar, Varsova Char Phata, Kashimira and Shivaji Chowk. Line-12 will be a 20.75 km southern extension of the 24.95 km Line-5 (Orange Line) with 17 stations at Ganesh Nagar, Pisvali Gaon, Golavali, Dombivli MIDC, Sagaon, Sonarpada, Manpada, Hedutane, Kolegaon, Nilaje Gaon, Vadavali, Bale, Waklan, Turbhe, Pisarve Depot, Pisarve, Taloja.
NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Four firms have submitted bids for commissioning the tunnel ventilation system (TVS) and environmental control system (ECS) Package 23 for the 82.15 km Delhi – Meerut RRTS. NCRTC had invited tenders for this package of the two underground sections of the line in July 2020.
This project is funded by the Asian Development Bank. Estimated cost of the work is $33.83 million and completion period is 1550 days. The firms participating in Blue Star Ltd., ETA Engineering Pvt. Ltd., STRABAG International and Voltas Ltd.
The Scope of the work includes Design, Detail Engineering, Supply, Installation, Testing and Commissioning of ECS, TVS, Electrical, ECS -E and M BMS, TVS BMS and TVS SCADA OCC/BCC Systems of 4 Under Ground Stations including Ventilation Buildings on Delhi-Ghaziabad- Meerut RRTS. The four underground stations will be located at Anand Vihar within Delhi, and at Meerut Central, Bhaisali and Begumpul in Meerut. The tunnel ventilation system will be deployed on Package 4 (STEC was the lowest bidder) connecting New Ashok Nagar – Sahibabad primarily in Delhi and on Package 8 (technical bid evaluation underway – NCRTC received 5 bids) connecting Brahampuri DN Ramp with Begumpul UP Ramp in Meerut. The financial bids will be opened after evaluation of technical bids.
NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Central government’s firm IRCON International Ltd. has emerged as the lowest bidder for the 82.15 km Delhi – Meerut RRTS Line‘s Package 19 involving 25kV AC overhead equipment (OHE) electrical supply works, after officials from the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) opened financial bids submitted by different firms. NCRTC invited bids in January from firms in 2 lots (sub-packages) – the first from Sarai Kale Khan to Duhai EPE and the second from Duhai EPE to Modipuram.
The NCRTC opened technical bids in June to reveal 7 firms had submitted a total of 11 bids. During technical bid evaluation, Tata Project’s bid for Lot-1 and Linxon’s bid for Lot-2 was rejected and as such their financial (price) bids were not opened. Bid valuesIRCON International Ltd. Rs 317.80 crSterling & Wilson Pvt. Ltd. – STS JV Rs 325.93 crSiemens Ltd. – KEC International Ltd. JV Rs 347.43 crLarsen & Toubro Ltd. (L&T) Rs 405.00 cr
Scope of Lot-1 includes Design, Supply, Installation, Testing and Commissioning of Receiving Sub Stations [including 25 kV AC Traction cum 33 kV Auxiliary Main Sub Stations], Extra High Voltage & High Voltage Cabling, 25 KV Overhead Equipment (FOCS/ROCS), Auxiliary Power Supply [includingAuxiliary Sub Stations], Operation Control Centre and Associated Works on Viaduct & Tunnel from Sarai Kale Khan to Duhai (EPE) [including Jangpura Stabling Yard and Duhai Depot] and SCADA System for Complete Corridor of Delhi–Ghaziabad–Meerut RRTS Corridor of NCRTC.
Scope of the work includes Design, Supply, Installation, Testing and Commissioning of Receiving Sub Stations [including 25 kV AC Traction cum 33 KV Auxiliary Main Sub Stations], Extra High Voltage & High Voltage cabling, 25 KV Overhead Equipment (FOCS/ROCS), Auxiliary Power Supply [including Auxiliary Sub Stations] and Associated works on Viaduct & tunnel from Duhai (EPE) to Modipuram [including Modipuram Depot] for Delhi–Ghaziabad–Meerut RRTS Corridor.
NOIDA (Metro Rail News): Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) today officially dedicated its Sector – 50 Metro Station to the Transgender Community.
“This station was today unveiled as “Pride Station” by Dr Mahesh Sharma, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Gautam Buddha Nagar, U. P. and Shri Pankaj Singh, Hon’ble MLA, Noida, U. P. in the presence of Smt. Ritu Maheshwari, Managing Director NMRC and CEO (Noida Authority)”, the NMRC said in a statement.
“Also present during the occasion were the Six (06) members of the Transgender Community who have been recruited by NMRC through their contractors. These members of the Transgender Community will be deployed at the Sector 50 Metro station. These members from the Transgender were provided with the necessary training by NMRC before deployment”, it added. Members from the NGO “Nazariya” were also present during the occasion. This NGO works exclusively with the Transgender Community and addresses their issues and other concerns. NMRC worked closely with this NGO to better understand the concerns of this community. “Nazariya” also conducted workshops for NMRC staff to generate awareness and sensitise them towards this Community and trained them to communicate with the trans community in a sensitive and cordial manner.
A BRIEF ABOUT NMRC’S “PRIDE” STATION
It is a first of its kind initiative introduced by a Metro system in Northern India. This step has been taken by NMRC for the inclusion and meaningful participation of the members of the transgender community. As per Census 2011, there are 4.9 lakh transgenders in India out of which around 35,000 are staying in NCR. These numbers may have increased manifold in the present scenario. This noble initiative by NMRC was inspired by the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, passed by the Government of India, which aspires to protect the rights of the Transgender people and works towards their welfare. The station has been named “Pride” as the NMRC feels extremely proud and privileged to have qualified members of the Transgender Community as part of the NMRC family. It also instils a sense of pride among the community and this step by NMRC is bound to be a ray of hope for the upliftment of the members of this community and help in breaking stereotypes about them so that they too can live a dignified life with their head held high.
The name was selected after receiving suggestions from the general public and various NGOs and other organisations that work for this community. Suggestions were called online from people on NMRC’s website and Maximum people suggested the name “Pride”.The “Pride” station, though dedicated to the Transgender Community, will be open for all passengers. It will also provide employment opportunities for the Transgender Community.
The Artwork and look of the station have also been done to signify the essence and spirit of the members of the Transgender Community. To provide the Transgender Community with employment opportunities and to enable their meaningful inclusion in the society, NMRC had also come up with vacancies for the Transgender Community. NMRC had come out with 06 vacancies (04 for Ticket Vending Operator and 02 for Housekeeping Staff) for the Transgender Community.
KANPUR (Metro Rail News): Under the aegis of Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) the progress of civil construction of the Kanpur Metro Project getting ahead with implausible speed. According to officials, the casting of 200 U-Girders has been done.
Recently, UPMRC set another benchmark by completing the casting of 200 U-girders at Lakhanpur casting yard along with the erection of 114 U-girders under the 9 km long Priority Corridor which is being constructed from IIT to Motijheel. On average 40-45 U-girder is being cast every month in the yard. On the other hand, there will be a total of 384 double T- girders to be erected under the priority corridor.
As per the recent update from officials, 183 double T-girders are ready in the casting yard while 118 double T-girders have been erected on the track. Expressing happiness over this achievement, Mr Kumar Keshav, Managing Director of Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation said, ”Casting and erection work is going on with tremendous speed under the Kanpur Metro Project and to be completed on time. UPMRC is fully committed and dedicated to giving a world-class Metro to Kanpurties”.
PATNA (Metro Rail News): In the proposed 760-kilometres-long high-speed rail corridor to be developed between Varanasi and Kolkata, the Government looks to turn Bihar’s capital city of Patna also as one of the stations According to reports.
The recent tender document prepared by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) for the conduction of surveys of four such proposed high-speed rail corridors included the mention of “Varanasi-Patna-Howrah” corridor.
NHSRCL has already invited the bids for the preparation of a detailed project report to build one such 865-kilometres-long corridor between Delhi and Varanasi. Thus, when coupled with the Varanasi-Patna-Howrah corridor, this would result in seamless high-speed rail connectivity between Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal.
The Delhi-Varanasi corridor will pass through the under-construction Jewar International Airport in Noida and Lucknow.
Meanwhile, the other such corridors which have taken up by NHSRCL include 711-kilometres-long Mumbai-Hyderabad corridor passing via Pune, and 435-kilometres-long Chennai-Mysore corridor passing via Bengaluru.
AHMEDABAD (Metro Rail News): Ranjit Buildcon has emerged as the lowest bidder for constructing the 6.478 km Package C2 of the 28.254 km Ahmedabad Metro Phase 2 project after Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation opened financial bids submitted by 9 firms. Phase 2 involves the construction of two elevated corridors, as an extension of Phase 1’s 18.522 km Line-2 (Red Line), northwards from Motera Cricket Stadium towards GNLU and onward to Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. At GNLU Station, a short 5.42 km spur line will connect to GIFT City across the Sabarmati River. GMRC had invited bids for the work with a deadline of two and a half months. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 470 Crores.
Bid Details
Ranjit Buildcon Ltd. – Rs 417.90 Crores
Dilip Buildcon Ltd. – Rs 465.26 Crores
Sadbhav Engineering Ltd. – Rs 466.27 Crores
Afcons Infrastructure Ltd. – Rs 506.37 Crores
JMC Projects India Ltd. – Rs 509.93 Crores
Larsen & Toubro Ltd. – Rs 515.45 Crores
GR Infraprojects Ltd. – Rs 530.75 Crores
The Scope of the work includes Construction of 6.478km elevated viaducts and 5 stations from CH. 25467.443m to 31945.443m and 0.679 km elevated viaducts and ramp for depot entry in connection with Phase – II of Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project from Motera Stadium to Mahatma Mandir (Except E&M, architectural finishing and roofing).
HYDERABAD (Metro Rail News): KVB Reddy, managing director and chief executive officer (CEO), L&TMRHL (L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad Limited) received the ‘Construction World Person of the Year 2020 – Private Sector’, by the Construction World Global Awards over an event held virtually. The award is presented to professionals who have made considerable achievements in their careers and businesses, and through their efforts have propelled the industry forward.
Hyderabad Metro
On receiving the award KVB. Reddy said to a news agency, “I humbly thank Construction World and the juries for conferring me this prestigious award. I also congratulate all the award winners this year. When I look back to my three and a half decades of professional journey, what brings me utmost joy is the learning that I could gain in the process. While receiving the Construction World Person of the Year 2020 Global Award today, I dedicate the success to each of my team members. The awards reiterate the fact that lot more hard work lies ahead for all of us.”
PUNE (Metro Rail News): The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MahaMetro) has finished laying tracks on 7.5km Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation-Dapodi priority stretch. Officials said the installation of the overhead traction cable was in its final stages and would be completed within a month. Once that is complete, the Metro rakes will be operated till Dapodi on a trial basis. MahaMetro officials said two rakes have been mounted on the tracks near the Sant Tukaramnagar station.
“We simultaneously undertook the work of laying the tracks and installing the overhead cables. We expect to finish installing the cables by next month,” an official said. Maha Metro said the work was slated to finish last month, but the pandemic caused delays. “The work gathered pace a couple of months ago. We initially completed the viaduct near the Nashik Phata, which helped us speed up laying of the tracks,” an official said. Two stations on this route — Sant Tukaramnagar and Phugewadi — are being made operational in the first phase. The Sant Tukaramnagar station is expected to be ready by next month according to sources. Maha Metro said it has deployed maximum manpower to finish the work on a priority basis. This priority stretch is part of PCMC-Swargate Metro corridor. The stretch from PCMC to Range Hills is elevated with nine stations en route, while the Range Hills-Swargate section will be underground, with five stations including Shivajinagar and Swagate. Work on the underground section is moving at a fast clip. Recently, a tunnel boring machine completed digging a tunnel from the College of Agriculture to the Civil Court in Shivajinagar. The excavations had begun in December last year. Maha Metro is developing another priority section — the 5km elevated portion between Vanaz in Kothrud and Abasaheb Garware College in Deccan. This section is part of the other corridor coming up in Pune city — the Vanaz-Ramwadi elevated line.
CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): Chennai Metro Rail has become the first in the country to use micro-plasma oxidation system, a technology used in high-end defence and medical applications, to disinfect rolling stock and stations following the COVID-19 pandemic. A clean, safe and sustainable water disinfectant, the technology produces aqueous stabilized ozone on demand to avoid exposure of harsh chemicals during sanitization. According to a Chennai Metro release, the micro-plasma oxidation system uses surrounding air that is chemical-free as its raw material and leaves no harmful residues.
Chennai Metro Rail in association with ETA Purification has designed and developed the system to disinfect rolling stock and stations. The aqueous-based disinfecting agent is approximately 10 to 1000 times more effective than other chemicals against bacteria, mould and viruses. The sanitation process can be completed in just a few minutes.
It is 51 per cent more powerful on bacteria cell walls than chlorine and kills bacteria 3000 times faster. Unlike chlorine, it is non-toxic and produces no disinfection by-products. This system uses only ordinary water as input and no chemicals are added, the release added.
NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor is the next big thing by the Centre’s road infrastructure project connecting the two states. According to Swarajya, the project work is in full swing and it is very likely that it will meet its target of completing the priority section.
Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS project is going to be 82-km semi high-speed rapid rail project while the priority section which will be commissioned first, lies between Sahibabad and Duhai. The deadline for this section to be completed is 2023 and for the entire project is 2025.
Earlier in September, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed an agreement with the Indian government to extend a $500 million loan for building the 82-km, high-speed Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor.The loan agreement was signed by Sameer Kumar Khare, Additional Secretary, Fund Bank and ADB, Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance and Kenichi Yokoyama, Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission.
“The project will provide better connectivity to allow other towns in the NCR to develop as urban economic centres surrounded by residential areas while easing the concentration pressure on Delhi,” said Khare. “Development of this corridor will have a huge demonstration effect and pave the way for a paradigm shift in mobility and the pattern of urban development within the region,” he added. The key features of the project:-
With a design speed of 180 km per hour and high-frequency operations of every 5-10 minutes, the 82-km corridor connecting Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi to Modipuram in Meerut in Uttar Pradesh is expected to reduce the journey time to about 1 hour from the present 3-4 hours.
The RRTS will have multimodal hubs to ensure smooth interchange with other transport modes. The first tranche financing will be used for constructing electrified tracks, signalling systems, multimodal hubs and stations with design features that are friendly to the elderly, women, children and the disabled.
It will also support the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) in drafting action plans on TOD, VCF instruments and public-private partnership (PPP) initiatives, setting up a smart-technology based platform, and formulating a gender-friendly workplace policy.
A $3 million grant from ADB’s Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction will support various activities, including the provision of visual, hearing and mobility aids, such as wheelchairs for differently-abled persons.
Training for women and differently-abled on safe mobility and employment opportunities and behavioural change for public transport providers will also be given.
The ADB-administered multi-donor Urban Climate Change Resilience Trust Fund will provide $2.89 million to support innovations in building information modelling, universal access design features, TOD and VCF.
NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) on Thursday invited bids for the preparatory works for the subsequent construction of the Sabarmati Maintenance Depot for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor.
According to the statement issued by the NHSRCL, Sabarmati maintenance depot will be the largest depot among three depots planned for MAHSR corridor. Other depots will be at Surat (Gujarat) and Thane (Maharashtra).
The bullet train project.
“This tender includes road works, sewage and drainage works, Earthwork, Construction of reservoirs for storage of rooftop rainwater and stormwater, underground storage tanks, sheds for parking of the General Inspection train (GIT) and Inspection cars for track and other civil works at the site marked for the Sabarmati Depot,” it said.
The Sabarmati Depot will cover an area of approximately 84 hectares and will be utilised for inspection, maintenance, cleaning and parking of MAHSR trainsets. Trainset washing facilities will be located in the Depot.
