Kolkata set to get a brand new underground metro after 25 years

Neha Singh
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Kolkata set to get a brand new underground metro after 25 years

KOLKATA (Metro Rail News): After getting clearance by the Commission of Railway Safety, Phoolbagan metro station is ready to begin operation. Having an inspection, speed trial was conducted within Salt Lake Stadium-Phoolbagan, on the 1.6 km long stretch and back.

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal had inaugurated the 1st phase of Kolkata East-West Metro, in February. However, the commuters footfall had been quiet despite the fact it was established in the IT sector, where peak hour traffic can keep 1 waiting for over half an hour.

With this newly added station, passengers can travel from Sector 5-Phoolbagan in 16 minutes and the fare will be Rs 20. The Metro project sanctioned in 2008, from Bidhannagar-Howrah, looked at connecting 2 of the world’s busiest railway stations- Sealdah station-Howrah station.

To pass under the Hoogly River, this metro would be the 1st one in India. The total distance covered among Sector 5-Howrah Maidan would be 16.6 km where 5.8 km still elevated and the rest of it is all underground. In the 1st phase of Kolkata East-West Metro, now only Sealdah rests to be connected.

Kolkata Metro is still to finalise an inauguration date for the Phoolbagan station with the COVID-19 pandemic yet a concern in the country.

Namma Metro construction is being affected due to India-China face-off

Neha Singh
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0
Namma Metro construction is being affected due to India-China face-off

BENGALURU (Metro Rail News): The problems among India and China is expected to hit Namma Metro construction work and the city’s progress to shift to electric mobility.

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) had bestowed a contract to China’s CRRC Co Limited to give 216 coaches for Phase 2, in Feb. CRRC’s subsidiary, CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co Ltd won the contract had performed to manufacturing 204 out of 216 coaches at their plant in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh.

Now due to the border tension and is a growing demand to boycott the Chinese companies. As per BMRCL official, the contract was approved in Feb and there is no rethinking as of now.

In fact, Chinese rolling stock manufacturers also supplied and received orders for few other Metro projects as in Mumbai, Kolkata, Gurgaon, Nagpur, Navi Mumbai & Noida.

The firm is likely to begin supply from September 2021. 4 firms — CRRC, Alstom, Bombardier & BEML, competed in the tender. BEML quoted 1 of the highest rates despite having an area advantage.

Tunnelling work among Vellara Junction-Pottery Town with a distance of 5.5-km stretch is supposed to be affected too. L&T, the contractor for Vellara Junction to Pottery Town Metro had ordered 4 tunnel boring machines from China Railway Construction Heavy Industry.

AIIB is likely to fund $800 million for the 4th corridor of Chennai Metro phase-II

Neha Singh
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0
AIIB is likely to fund $800 million for the 4th corridor of Chennai Metro phase-II

CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is expected to finance $800 million for the 4th corridor of phase-II of Chennai Metro, the govt should add the ‘Make in India’ clause in the tender report, officials urged.

As Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co. (STEC) appeared as the lowest bidder for the New Ashok Nagar and Sahibabad of Delhi-Meerut RRTS corridor construction having a distance of 5.6 km underground section. According to the sources, it is just to understand the ‘Make in India’ if included in the tender report will require limitations on Chinese bidders.

According to the officials, since AIIB is a multilateral development bank, the clause would help Indian companies and in creating jobs for Indians along with adhering to Prime Minister’s call of ‘Go Vocal, make Local’.

‘Make in India’ will develop and promote Indian partners as well as Indian investors and help Indians attain self-sufficiency will be more relaxed for managing the Indian bidders, as per the sources in DPIIT.

The clause should be entered while taking loans from all the multilateral development banks and in the tender report, according to official sources.

It is seen that the 23rd of June meeting will review the Action Taken Report also pertaining “Atmanirbhar Bharat”. Since Finance Minister has also declared that in govt tenders global bids will not be called up to Rs.200 cr, the meeting would mainly focus on multiple elements of Central Govt entities that should be referenced from local/domestic suppliers only such as metro companies and smart cities.

Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has ready to implement a loan of $438.75 million to Chennai Metro project for the civil construction work of Chennai Metro’s 47 km Line-5’s 26 km segment connecting CMBT with Sholinganallur and $356.65 million to support the 26.1 km Line 4 connecting Lighthouse to Poonamallee Bypass.

Officials said the reason and stressed the need of inclusion of ‘Make in India’ clause in the tender report for Chennai Metro’s Corridor 4 of so that local industry and local manpower could help.

Nashik Metro proposal take a step ahead towards approval

Neha Singh
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1
Nashik Metro proposal take a step ahead towards approval

Nashik (Metro Rail News): By taking a step ahead Nashik Metro project proposal towards its approval as the detailed project report has been forwarded to the Union ministry of finance & ministry of railways for sanction.

Sources officials involved with the project stated that the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA) has transferred the project DPR to the ministries concerned. Metro-Neo project with Rs 2100 cr project, is the 1st of its kind in the country, on 2 elevated corridors rubber-tyred AC bus coaches would run with its 32 km long distance. There will be a total 30 stations between the corridor.

The sources said by adding that it would take time for the 2 ministries to undergo the project DPR Once they check the details of the project and permit it, the proposal will be located before the Union cabinet for the final nod.

Union and the state governments carried the project cost, and another part of the funding would be raised through borrowings. Maharashtra Metro Rail Co (MMRC) will be the implementing agency for the project. The state govt has permitted the project DPR before it was forwarded to MoHUA. There has been a venture in a few quarters over the fate of the project because of the outbreak of COVID-19 that has impacted the entire economy.

Noida Metro initiates towards ‘She-Man’ station for their transgender’s commuters

Neha Singh
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0
Noida Metro initiates towards ‘She-Man’ station for their transgender’s commuters

NOIDA (Metro Rail News): First time Noida metro rail sector, the Noida-Greater Noida Metro has chosen to turn the Sector 50 station into a ‘She-Man’ station having special abilities and employment for all the transgender community.

NMRC MD Ritu Maheshwari said that Noida Metro Rail Co (NMRC) is initiating this step for the “inclusion and meaningful support” of the members of the transgender community. In 2017, the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) had taken similar action by employing 23 transgenders.

According to MD, as per Census 2011, there are almost 4.9 lakh transgenders in India in which 30,000-35,000 are staying in Delhi national capital region (NCR).

The ‘She-Man’ station will be on the Pink stations’ lines which were begun on the 8th of March this year. Only women staff were deployed at the Pink station except for security personnel.

NMRC MD further added that the ‘She-Man’ station will provide mainly to the transgender community though it will be open for all the commuters and to facilitate the in travelling as well as provide them employment opportunities. Structural changes in restroom infrastructure and the creation of a separate security check for the community are also being analysed at sector 50 station.

NMRC staff will also be sensitised & ordered to interact with the transgender community in a delicate and cordial manner. Also, they plan to add transgender community members into its system by engaging their services in many aspects of the functioning of the system such as ticket counters & other areas by deployed contractors.

NMRC has also communicated with many NGOs who work with the community to understand the hurdles and devise an effective way for an inclusive society. As NMRC stated it has always been sensitive towards the requirements of all its passengers who come from many walks of life and has made constant endeavours to give a safe and convenient travelling experience.

MMRDA cancels monorail tender Rs 500 cr in view of Indian manufactures company

Neha Singh
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0
MMRDA cancels monorail tender Rs 500 cr in view of Indian manufactures company

MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): Town planning authority Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has cancelled the bidding for the design, manufacture, testing, supply & commissioning of ten monorail rakes received from Chinese manufacturers.

For sourcing 10 rakes for the Jacob Circle-Wadala-Chembur monorail line contract is about Rs 500 cr. The city authority intends to give the contract to an Indian manufacturer. MMRDA said that in the current bid, responses were obtained from a couple of companies, China Rail Road Co. and Build Your Dream.

These Chinese manufacturers were continuously questioning for revisions in terms and conditions with eligibility criteria, even after uploading of a common set of deviations (CSDs).

Metropolitan Commissioner RA Rajeev said in a statement that in the current economic situation due to the lockdown, in line with the many policies published by the govt of India to promote the ‘Make in India’ schemes, as the govt has been determined to look for an Indian Technology partner for long term support & development.

In view of this, govt chose to cancel the current tender and commence the retendering process quickly with changed eligibility norms like for last ten years manufacturing facilities established in India on related projects to facilitate the participation of Indian companies. It has been also selected to begin the dialogue with Indian manufactures such as — BHEL, BEML, Rajeev said.

RA Rajeev said that the 2 Chinese companies are dictating us to change tender conditions, MMRDA administration has chosen to find technology partners in India & develop it in India. In March 2019, the MMRDA commissioned the operations of the 2nd phase with a distance of 19.54 km monorail project after it took over operations and maintenance of the monorail by Scomi Engineering after the latter failed to supply rakes and components such as signalling systems to the MMRDA.

The L&T-Scomi consortium had got the Rs 2,460 cr contract in 2009 to develop and operate the 19.5 km monorail network on the Chembur-Wadala-Jacob Circle corridor combining the eastern periphery of the island city to the central parts.

How to Enjoy Your Daily Commute More

Narendra Shah
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How to Enjoy Your Daily Commute More

If you take the metro every day to work or school, you might feel it’s the most annoying part of your day, it might feel as another mundane task rather than a pleasant journey. However, it’s very likely that you cannot avoid commuting, so why not implement some strategies that will make your ride more enjoyable. Your commute might become a more relaxing part of your day. Here you can read top tips that will improve your commute.

Play Games

If you want to have fun and unwind after a stressful day, you can play games on your mobile devices. People that like to play casino games can seamlessly access reputable casino sites like NetBetCasino on their smartphone and play poker, slots, baccarat, craps, and other games. But, you can also bet on your favorite sporting events on sites like  https://sport.netbet.com/in/ as many casinos offer this exciting option for their members.

However, if you just want to fun, many casino sites offer exactly that in free mode. On the other hand, you can try brain training apps and games to improve your memory, creative thinking, and other skills. Lastly, you’ll be entertained for hours on end while you play action games, or social games, for example.

Read Books

Drown the outside world with a good book. Many people take up reading on their ride in the metro, but it can also be a valuable source of information if you need to stay on top of the latest news in your field, for example.  But, you can always read something for fun on your Kindle, or listen to a play on Audible.

Learn a New Language

Even if you have a short commute, there are excellent apps that you can download and learn new words and read articles in a foreign language. Most language learning apps have many interesting games to help you learn grammar or improve your vocabulary in a fun, engaging way.  But, if you have a longer commute, you can try to finish a language course or chat with a native speaker.

Commute With a Friend

Your day will definitely be brighter if you’re traveling with your best friend. But, still, if you don’t have that opportunity, you can connect with your friends on social media platforms or talk to them directly via Skype, or WhatsApp, for instance. The good news is that many metros offer internet connectivity on board, which is another advantage when you decide to commute with a metro.

Prepare for Work

You can feel more prepared if you draft some important emails, or write down your main goals for that day. If you’re travelling for a longer period of time, you can even finish some easier tasks on your laptop or tablet, if that’s convenient for you. Students can also take some time to prepare for class and finish their assignments.

Switch Off

At the end of the day, as you can feel exhausted as you have probably spent a lot of time in front of a blue screen. So, your commute can be a perfect time for you to relax and mute all notifications. You can be even more productive if you have proper rest and relaxation. In case you have more chores waiting for you at home, this can be your time off without any distractions.

Listen to Your Favorite Songs

Make a playlist that will help you enjoy your journey even more. Listening to your favourite songs can bring positive energy in your day or help you get more focused before your daily tasks and responsibilities. You can curate a playlist with the newest hits, or listen to Brain FM, for instance, music specifically designed to help you relax or learn better.

Bengaluru Metro much-awaited flyover near KR Puram received a significant fillip

Neha Singh
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7
Bengaluru Metro much-awaited flyover near KR Puram received a significant fillip

BENGALURU (Metro Rail News): A much-awaited Byappanahalli to Whitefield corridor with a distance of 15km has received a significant fillip with Bangalore Metro Rail Co Ltd performing work on the viaduct crossing over B B Naranayapura flyover near KR Puram.

According to BMRCL officials, they have launched the viaduct among proposed KR Puram & Mahadevapura stations on 4th of June.

Where B Naranayapura flyover is 10.7 meter from the ground level, the elevated viaduct is 20.7 meter. This means the viaduct is 10 meters above the flyover stated BL Yeshwanth Chavan BMRCL chief public relations officer also added that the length of the Metro’s span over the flyover is 31 meter.

piers average height on the Byappanahalli to Whitefield section is around 10 to 11 meter as it increases at the stations and decreases at other sections. The earlier deadline of the section was August 2021, it’s expected to be postponed because of lockdown.

work on the line under Namma Metro’s Phase 2 is executing by ITD Cementation India Ltd. Bengaluru Metro records reveal 65% of civil works have been finished among Byappanahalli -Visvesvaraya Industrial Area & 78% among Visvesvaraya Industrial Area – Whitefield.

Delhi-Meerut RRTS project tender still in the process

Neha Singh
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1
Delhi-Meerut RRTS project tender still in the process

NEW DELHI (Metro rail News): A Chinese firm selected the lowest bidder for constructing tunnel on Delhi-Meerut RRTS. Chinese company STEC was selected as the lowest bidder for constructing a 5.6 km tunnel among New Ashok Nagar-Sahibabad on the 82 km Delhi-Meerut RRTS project.

It is Union Ministry of Urban Development has clarified that the process of awarding the tender is still in process and has not been finalised.

The Urban Development Ministry stated that with the distance of 82 km long RRTS being considered by the National Capital Region Transport Co is an ADB funded project for design & construction work of a distance of 5.6 km tunnel by TBM & single RRTS station.

It said that bids were invited on 9th of Nov last year and the technical bid was presented on March 16 this year. Further, the ministry declared that 5 companies presented bids and qualified for financial bid opening including SKEC and Tata, STEC, L&T, China, Afcons and Gulermakgir, Turkey.

On 12th of June financial bids were opened and STEC, China emerged as the lowest bidder. But the tender is under process and still to be decided.

Country initiates the first set of steps against Chinese businesses

Neha Singh
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0
Country initiates the first set of steps against Chinese businesses

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): This time when the tensions run high after the violent clash in India-China border, Country initiates the first set of steps against Chinese businesses. A Chinese engineering major is ready to drop a vital contract with the Indian Railways.

Decks are being realised to cancel the contract of the Chinese signalling behemoth China Railway Signal & Communication (CRSC) Corporation, in the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor.

To install signalling systems the CRSC had acquired the contract in 2016, in over 400 km of railway lines. This is the only Chinese appearance in the mega project that is now keen to join Indian players, an officials said.

The around Rs 500 cr contract includes designing, supplying, constructing, testing & commissioning signalling, telecommunications & associated works for multiple lines of 413 km in the New Bhaupur to Mughalsarai sector in UP.

Sources said that the Dedicated Freight Corridor Co Ltd has previously applied to the World Bank that is the funding agency, to initiate the process.

It is seen that Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) formed up their mind to show the Chinese firm the door after being continuously offended with the progress of work & other issues.

Bombardier CEO held a conversation with Alstom & the commission over remedies for rail deal

Neha Singh
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0
Bombardier CEO held a conversation with Alstom & the commission over remedies for rail deal

MONTREAL (Metro Rail News): On Thursday Bombardier’s chief executive announced that the Canadian company has operated well-advanced conversation with Alstom on the support as it pursues regulatory permission for the sale of its rail division to the French giant.

EU antitrust regulators have fixed a deadline of July 16 for a decision on whether to clear the French TGV high-speed train maker bid for Bombardier Transportation, as per a filing on the European Commission site.

Bombardier CEO Eric Martel said that we are having discussions with Alstom & the commission and there are plans that have been discussed already. Those reviews are very clear well advanced also.

The rail deal of almost $6.95 billion is subject to regulatory permission and supposed to end in the first half of 2021. Martel told the commission will make its own analysis as well as a decision but I think that the discussions as yet are extremely productive.

Bombardier was extracted from blue-chip stock index Canada earlier this week after shares crashed by 74% year-to-date, trading Thursday afternoon at 49 Canadian cents.

Martel described shareholders earlier at the virtual annual general meeting of a company, we know that our performance has shaken the confidence of various stakeholders.

Indian Railways deploys 960 isolation train coaches in 5 states to facilitate patient

Neha Singh
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0
Indian Railways deploys 960 isolation train coaches in 5 states to facilitate patient

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Amid this COVID-19 Pandemic and nationwide lockdown Indian Railways takes a huge step towards the fight against the pandemic. Directed by Piyush Goyal Indian Railways has organised 5,231 isolation coaches to provide as many as to the States.

These coaches have been converted into COVID Care Centres by zonal railways that would be utilised very mild cases. For now, the national transporter has disposed of 960 COVID isolation coaches in 5 states – Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, MP, Telangana along with Andhra Pradesh.

In a total of 960 isolation coaches, 503 coaches have been deployed in the national capital region in which (267 COVID Care coaches at Anand Vihar,50 coaches at Shakurbasti, 50 at Delhi Sarai Rohilla, 33 coaches at Delhi Cantt., 30 coaches at Adarsh Nagar, 26 coaches at Patel Nagar, 21 coaches at Delhi Safdarjung, 13 coaches at Delhi Shahadra and 13 coaches at Tughlakabad) in UP – 372 coaches, Telangana-60 coaches, Andhra Pradesh-20 coaches, & in Madhya Pradesh – 5 coaches.

In UP, as many as 372 coaches have been placed at 23 areas those are — Lucknow, Varanasi, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction, Agra, Bhadohi, Saharanpur, Faizabad, Kanpur, Mirzapur, Jhansi, Jhansi Workshop, Subedarganj, Gonda, Bhatni, Nakha Jungle, Nautanwa, Bahraich, Manduadih, Farrukhabad, Varanasi City, Mau, Bareilly City along with Kasganj.

In Madhya Pradesh, 5 isolation coaches have been deployed in Gwalior, where a total of 20 coaches have been deployed in Andhra Pradesh at Vijayawada. In Telangana, 60 coaches have been deployed at 3 different locations those are — Secunderabad, Adilabad & Kachguda.

To take care of patients in these isolation coaches, the state govts according to the guidelines issued by MOHFW, providing doctors and paramedics.

Titagarh Wagons come up with cooperation agreement with ABB India

Neha Singh
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0
Titagarh Wagons come up with cooperation agreement with ABB India

KOLKATA (Metro Rail News): Titagarh Wagons, a wagon maker for Indian Railways to a multinational diversified engineering & fabrication group, has come up with an exclusive cooperation agreement with engineering company ABB India, to direct the expanding business of propulsion equipment for the Indian railway EMU or MEMU market.

According to the agreement, Titagarh & ABB will together design, develop and manufacture state of the art IGBT based propulsion systems for EMU or MEMU that will be made in Titagarh’s plant at Uttarpara in Kolkata with some parts being supplied by ABB.

This agreement goes into effect very shortly and is required to begin generating revenue in less than 2 yrs, the company declared in a press statement.

More than 300 EMU or MEMU coaches to the Indian Railways has manufactured and supplied by Titagarh Wagons. Presently, the company is busy executing an order of 102 metro coaches for Pune Metro requisitioned through the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC).

In cooperation with its Italian subsidiary, Titagarh has a developmental order for propulsion systems needed in the EMU or MEMU trains. The cooperation contract signed with ABB will support the execution of all the orders and also give an edge to Titagarh to establish itself in the power electronics sector, as per the release stated.

Multi-level parking centres have been offered in Indiranagar, Yeshwanthpur

Neha Singh
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0
Multi-level parking centres have been offered in Indiranagar, Yeshwanthpur

BENGALURU (Metro Rail News): Near Indiranagar and Yeshwanthpur Metro stations two multi-level parking centres have been offered. The project that is in the conceptual stage, is an idea of the Bangalore Metro Rail Co Ltd (BMRCL) to attract passengers.

The reason why many commuters don’t use Metro, the less parking conveniences at Metro stations has been cited through various passengers as services.

The Bangaluru Metro floated bids inviting display design consultants to make a plan for multi-level parking conveniences at multiple Metro stations located at occupied junctions with residential & commercial properties.

First such plan initiated by Namma Metro. Where the project could take various yrs to take shape, the plans show an indication that the Bengaluru Metro is prioritising the creation of parking ease at stations rather than leasing outlets.

Right now the City has 3 multi-level parking conveniences that are improved by the BBMP in partnership with private firms. They are Garuda Mall in Central Bengaluru, Maharaja Complex in KG road and the second one on JC Road.

The BBMP is also building similar ease near Freedom Park but the work is still not finished. In the Phase-2 project, Bengaluru Metro is building parking lots that will be part of the station.

In the upcoming KR Puram and Kengeri Metro stations, this is being made. At the Challaghatta Metro station, the Bengaluru Metro is building a multi-level parking convenience attached to the station.

The upcoming parking lots will not be a part of the station. A coming up in Indiranagar is a small one & meant only for 2-wheelers. One proposed in Yeshwanthpur is on the railway land for car and 2-wheelers.

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