Thousands trapped in train as electrical problem erupts

Paris (Metro Rail News) – Thousands of passengers were trapped overnight on high-speed TGV trains halted by electrical problems in southwestern France, some pleading for water, food or fresh air.

Frustrated travellers raised attention to their plight on social networks, posting images of children sleeping on floors and describing the challenge of staying masked for as much as 20 hours straight.

National rail authority SNCF on Monday apologized for “a series of electrical supply incidents” that started Sunday afternoon and halted traffic in southwestern France and disrupted travel from there to Paris.

Four high-speed trains, connecting Bordeaux with other cities in the region, were stuck on tracks into the night, with knock-on effects on other routes, SNCF said.

Passengers were taken back to their departure points overnight and Monday morning, then put on buses and other trains to eventually reach their destinations.

The problems came as millions of French people prepared to return to work and school this week — many returned Sunday by train from August vacations.

“Traffic isn’t expected to return to normal until Tuesday morning and an internal probe has been ordered”, said SNCF.

SNCF will reimburse all passengers three times the cost of their tickets and distributed masks, water and food, the junior minister for transport, Jean-Baptiste Djebbari said.

Graded resumption of Delhi metro services from 7th September 2020 onwards

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Delhi Metro services will be resumed in a graded manner in three stages from 7th to 12th September 2020 according to a statement issued by the DMRC Today. The DMRC said that the general public may avail services from September 7 onwards.

The metro services will resume in a phase-wise manner with the opening of Line-2 (Yellow Line) from Samaypur Badli to HUDA City Centre including Rapid Metro, Gurugram on 7th of September. The Corporation will further commence services on other routes in three stages with all being operational by 12th September.

“Train services will commence with adequate frequency as they were before 22nd March 2020 which may be increased or decreased as per requirement. However, due to an increase in dwell time of trains at stations, there will be a minor increase in time required for performing a trip”, the DMRC said.

“Trains will not stop at stations falling in containment zone and such stations will remain closed for public. Similarly, some of the stations may be skipped if social distancing is not adhered by the passengers”, said Mr. Anuj Dayal, Executive Director of Corporate Communications at DMRC.

The details of the resumption plan is given in the table:-

 Date of resumption of Metro servicesLine(s) on which Metro services resumingPassenger Service Timings
STAGE-17th September 2020 onwardsLine-2 (Yellow Line) from Samaypur Badli to HUDA City Centre including Rapid Metro, GurugramMORNING(4 Hours only)(7 AM to 11 AM)EVENING (4Hours only)(4 PM to 8 PM)
9th September 2020 onwardsIn addition, Line-3/4 (Blue Line) from Dwarka Sec-21 to Noida Electronic City/Vaishali & Line-7 (Pink Line) from Majlis Park to Shiv Vihar
10th September 2020 onwardsIn addition, Line-1 (Red Line) from Rithala to Shaheed Sthal New Bus Adda, Line-5 (Green Line) from Kirti Nagar/Inderlok to Brig. Hoshiar Singh (Bahadurgarh) & Line-6 (Violet Line) from Kashmere Gate to Raja Nahar Singh (Ballabhgarh)
STAGE-211th September 2020 onwardsIn addition to stage-1 Lines, Line-8 (Magenta Line) from Janakpuri West to Botanical Garden & Line-9 (Grey Line) from Dwarka to Najafgarh will be also made operationalMORNING(6 Hours only)(7 AM to 01 PM)EVENING(6 Hours only)(4 PM to 10 PM)Above timings are applicable for lines resumed at Stage-1 also
STAGE-312th September 2020 onwardsIn addition to stage-1 & 2 Lines, Airport Express Line from New Delhi to Dwarka Sec-21 will be also operationalServices on all lines will be available throughout the day(6 AM to 11 PM)

Above timings are applicable for all Lines
The details shared by DMRC.

VNC-KEC JV bags Duhai Depot contract of Delhi Meerut RRTS Corridor

New Delhi ( Metro Rail News ) – The Duhai Depot cum Workshop of the 82.15 km Delhi – Meerut (RRTS) Line works under Package 5A’s was given to consortium Vijay Nirman Company Pvt. Ltd. – KEC International Ltd after the financial bid was opened on Sep 1, 2020, as the firm emerged as the lowest bidder for the depot work. The cost of the project is Rs 279.07 crores.

Duhai Depot is located on the northern end of 18 km priority corridor section (Sahibabad – Duhai EPE).
The Bombardier is providing train sets for the project.

Financial Bid Values:

Name of The CompanyBid Values
VNC – KEC JVRs. 279.07 crore
URC Construction Pvt Ltd.Rs. 286.22 crore
Sam (India) Builtwell Pvt. Ltd.Rs. 292.30 crore
ISGEC Heavy Engineering Ltd.Rs. 292.42 crore
Ahluwalia Contracts (India) Ltd.Rs. 297.96 crore
IRCON International Ltd.Rs. 308.61 crore

There were six bidders participating in the process. Construction of Depot cum Workshop near Duhai RRTS Station (including Architectural Finishing, PEB, E and M and Road works) of Delhi – Ghaziabad – Meerut RRTS Corridor is included in the project.

The NCRTC had invited the bids but no estimated cost is yet known. After the financial bid evaluation, VNC – KEC JV will be issued a letter of award (LoA) in the coming days according to sources. The time frame of the work is shall be 730 days.

A warmer Delhi Metro with more fresh air as the DMRC Network prepares to open up

New Delhi ( Metro Rail News ) – As the DMRC prepares to open up its 389 KM long network, it is taking a lot of measures to make a Covid resistant environment. One of the key measures Delhi Metro is looking at is managing air circulation, to allow more fresh air from outside and to disperse any suspended viral particles. This will raise temperatures further from what’s to now be maintained inside coaches as a precaution against the coronavirus — in the range of 24-30 degrees Celsius.

When the trains are running with commuters, the air inside the coaches constantly get pulled in by the HVAC (heat, ventilation, air-conditioning), is cooled, filtered, and then released back. Outside air sucked in by the system is also released simultaneously into the coaches after passing through the same cooling and filtration units.

Consequently, air inside Delhi Metro coaches is fully replaced by outside air every 2 minutes and 33 seconds. The same process takes 3 minutes and 20 seconds in New York City subway, which since May 6 has shut down its services daily between 1 am and 5 am for disinfection drives — the first time in its history.

Metro officials are planning to open fresh air dampers, which are essentially inlets to let air into the coaches, by up to 50 to 60 per cent more than usual. As a result, the interiors of the coaches will have temperatures between 24-30 degrees Celsius and may feel warmer than usual.

About the HVAC units, Metro officials said these had two types of filters — fresh air filters and return air filters, both made up of wire mesh and fibre to trap particles. “The cleaning frequency of HVAC filters will be doubled.

In accordance with guidelines prepared by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Metro trains will also halt for longer duration at terminal stations with their doors open to let fresh air in.

Apart from this, Delhi Metro is also taking other precautionary measures such as sanitising passenger contact areas such as hand rails, poles and seats using Virex II 256, known to be a powerful disinfectant.

No metro resumption in Maharashtra as more economic activities open up

Mumbai ( Metro Rail News ) – The Local trains along with Metro rail services will continue to remain suspended in Maharashtra. The state government has decided to impose restrictions on the metro services as well as large public gatherings and congregations will be barred.

After two days of announcement by the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide major relaxations through Unlock 4.0, Maharashtra — the worst affected state by COVID-19 , has decided against the resumption of suburban rail services for the general public and Metro rail services.

The August 29 Union Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines had asked states to allow resumption of Metro rail services “in a graded manner” from September 7.
The Railways had also indicated that it was ready to resume suburban rail operations for the Mumbai Metropolitan Area if the state government requested for it.

Maharashtra’s new guidelines have opened the doors for more people to attend offices. From September 2, private offices across the state will be permitted to operate with 30 per cent strength as against the 10 per cent allowed previously.

In government offices, senior officials (class A and class B) will be required to be present in offices on all working days, while the attendance of lower-level staffers in MMR and the rest of the state will be 30 per cent and 50 per cent, respectively.

Anticipating more people outdoors due to the relaxations, the government has permitted “passenger movement by private buses and mini buses for which the transport department will issue independent SOPs”, the guideline said.

Acting on the Centre’s directive, the government has also lifted all curbs on inter-district travel. “There shall be no restrictions on inter-district movement of persons or goods, including those for cross border land trade. No separate permission, approval or e-permit will be required for vehicles,” the guideline said.

Offices have been asked to run elaborate sensitisation programmes on measures that employees should take after returning home from work to avoid a spread of infection among family members.

It was earlier reported by Metro Rail News that the Maharashtra government is in no mood to open up metros. According to sources, it will take a long time for the metro services to resume in the Maharashtra.

MMRDA looks for contractor to complete Metro 2B’s pending works

Mumbai (Metro Rail News): The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is now looking for a contractor to carry out the balance job of Metro Line 2B (DN Nagar to Mandale). The work includes the construction of elevated viaduct and 10 elevated stations –ESIC Nagar, Prem Nagar, Indira Nagar, Nanavati Hospital, Khira Nagar, Saraswat Nagar, National College, Bandra, Income Tax office and ILFS. The scope of work excludes architectural finishing and pre-engineered steel roof structure of the stations.

The estimated cost of the work is Rs 1167.75 crore, without GST. The authority has arranged a pre-bid meeting with the interested contractors on September 10 at 11am. The final date of bid submission is October 10 up to 6pm.

The corridor will have interchange available at DN Nagar on Metro Line One, at Bandra (Suburban), ITO junction (Metro Line 3), Kurla East (Suburban & Metro Line 4), Chembur (Monorail) and Mankhurd (Suburban, CST-Panvel fast corridor, Mumbai–Navi Mumbai Airport fast corridor according to MMRDA officials.

Afcons Infra bags tender for Delhi – Meerut RRTS’ Package 6

New Delhi (Metro Rail News) – The Afcons Infrastructure on Tuesday emerged as the lowest bidder for constructing the 4.3 km Sarai Kale Khan – New Ashok Nagar (Package 6) of the 82.15 km Delhi – Meerut (RRTS) Line after the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) opened the financial bids submitted by different infrastructure companies.

This elevated package includes building a viaduct from Sarai Kale Khan to New Ashok Nagar’s Down-Ramp, a bridge over the Yamuna River, an entry ramp leading to the Jangpura Stabling Yard (where a few Bombardier train-sets will stabled overnight for morning services), and two elevated stations at Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar. NCRTC  had invited tenders for this package in February 2020 with an estimate of Rs. 1112 crore.

Bidding Company and Financial Bid Values:

Name of the firmBid Value
Afcons InfrastructureRs. 1061.71 crore
Dilip Buildcon Ltd. – Sam (India) Builtwell JVRs. 1118.25 crore
Larsen & Toubro (L&T)Rs. 1125.18 crore
Tata Projects Ltd. (TPL)Rs. 1174.46 crore
GR Infra Projects Ltd.Rs. 1197.15 crore

DM/CN/COR-OF/095: Construction of elevated viaduct from Sarai Kale Khan station to New Ashok Nagar DN Ramp including Jangpura Entry ramp and two Nos. of elevated stations viz., Sarai Kale Khan & New Ashok Nagar [including Pre-engineered steel roof structure but excluding Architectural Finishing of Stations] of Delhi – Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) Corridor

Afcons Infra’s bid was Rs 56.54 crores (roughly 5.35%) less than NCRTS’ estimate, so I don’t see any issues cropping up during financial bid evaluation. When that is completed in the coming days, Afcons should receive an LOA with a deadline of 910 days (30 months) to complete all works.

Indian Railways to run 100 More Passenger trains amid rising demands

New Delhi ( Metro Rail News ) – As MHA has issued new guidelines under ‘Unlock 4.0’, providing significant relaxations, Railways is going to run 100 more passenger trains amid rising demands as the workers start returning to the cities. The move comes after centre lifted curbs on intrastate movements of people and goods through the Unlock 4.0 guidelines.

An announcement of running 100 trains may come after Railways get a green signal from the Home Ministry. Railways has almost finalised the new zero-based time table, dropping many trains and stations, with the aim to make passenger services a much faster mode of transportation according to sources.

As of now, a total of 230 special trains are operational. “Some states were not ready to allow more trains into their regions and that was the reason for not pressing more passenger services into operation, despite demands”, a railway official told.

The official said some trains have high occupancy rates and hence they were providing additional services on those routes to cater to the growing demands. It comes after the Centre gave approval for the phase wise resumption of metro services from 7 September.

Vande Bharat trains to be more Indian

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New Delhi ( Metro Rail News ) – The government is soon expected to float a new tender for 44 sets of Vande Bharat Trains, which will have up to 75% indigenous content, line with the government’s Aatma Nirbhar Bharat initiative. The previous tender, which was cancelled on 21 August, had a provision of up to 50% indigenous content.

“The tender is ready. We are waiting to hear from DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade). The local component is likely to be increased up to 75%,” a senior official was stated saying.

In a recent move, the previous tender was cancelled as some of the bidders had disclosed financial details of the offers while submitting technical bids. For ensuring transparency, the technical bids are opened and evaluated, after which financial bids of only those bidders are opened who get qualified in the technical bids.

“Fresh tenders will be invited as per revised public procurement (preference to Make in India) order.
As a part of Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, increase in indigenous content from the present level of 50% to a higher level is being examined,” railway board chairman Vinod Kumar Yadav had said on August 23rd.

Vande Bharat trains, also known as Train 18 are indigenous electric multiple units manufactured by the Chennai-based integral coach factory (ICF). This train set has automatic sliding doors similar to those in metro coaches, automatic climate control in coaches. Besides, all the coaches of the engine-less Vande Bharat Express are connected with one another other, enabling easy passage for passengers.

The first Vande Bharat Express from Delhi to Varanasi was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February, 2019. Second such train from New Delhi to Katra was flagged off in October last year.

The fresh tender will have provision to manufacture the train sets at all three production units—Integrated Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala and Modern Coach Factory (MCF) Raebareli, Yadav had said. The tender was first floated in December, 2019 by ICF and was opened in July. It is the third such tender floated for these trains.

EIB signs Contract for providing a loan worth Rs 5500 cr for Kanpur Metro

Kanpur (Metro Rail News): European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed finance contract for the funding of Kanpur Metro Project for Euro 650 million (INR 5551.99 Cr.) today i.e. 31.08.2020 through a Virtual Signing Ceremony.

The agreement was signed in the virtual presence of Ambassador of the European Union to India and Bhutan Mr. Ugo Astuto, Vice President of EIB Mr. Andrew McDowell, Dr. C.S. Mohapatra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance (GOI) and Managing Director UP Metro Rail Corporation Limited Mr. Kumar Keshav along with Director Finance UPMRC and other delegates from EIB, Ministry of Finance and European Union. 

The Signing Ceremony began with the opening remarks by Dr. C.S. Mohapatra who said, “This is indeed a significant step towards a sustained relation between India and the EIB and will certainly help boost large scale developmental projects in the country.” 

The signing of the Finance Contract has paved way for the sanctioning of the loan amount to UPMRC for the construction and execution of Kanpur Metro Project. EIB shall be taking appraisal for the Agra Metro Project also in the near future.

Vice President of EIB Mr. Andrew McDowell in his remarks said, “The exemplary work of UPMRC team in the execution of the Lucknow Metro Project and the records created by them both in terms of timely completion within the allotted budget and green initiatives of the project definitely gave momentum to the signing of this Financial Contract for the Kanpur Project being executed by UPMRC. 

Expressing delight over the agreement and the Finance Contract signed today, Mr. Kumar Keshav Managing Director of Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation said, “UPMRC is extremely thankful to European Investment Bank for their continued support in development of Metro Rail projects in the State of Uttar Pradesh. Comfortable, fast, safe, energy efficient and affordable public transport systems like Metro are needed for cities to become the engines of growth in our Country. Faith and whole-hearted support of EIB in funding Lucknow Metro, a world-class Metro system in the capital city of Uttar Pradesh ahead of stipulated time and within the approved cost is a pride for all of us. On behalf of the UPMRC team,  I again assure that fulfilling the trust shown by EIB in funding the Kanpur Metro project will be our highest priority in delivering this prestigious project in time which will further accelerate long term economic and social development of the city.”

“After the inauguration of the civil construction work of the Kanpur Metro project by CM of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath in presence of Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs (I/C) on 15thNov., 2019, UPMRC is executing the Kanpur Metro project with remarkable pace. Even during the post lock down period, strategic execution of the UPMRC’s engineers resulted in maintaining the workforce and keeping up the pace of the civil construction of the 9KMs lon Priority Corridor (IIT to Motijheel), while implementing all the guidelines issued by the governments. Recently UPMRC has commenced the erection of the U-girders in the esteemed presence of Chief Secretary, GoUP”, UPMRC said in a statement.  

“Excellent achievement for whole team of UPMRC. This is faster than Lucknow Metro Phase-1A project.I am sure we are moving at right pace for delivering Kanpur Metro project in time”, said Kumar Keshav to Metro Rail News.

BMRCL creates milestone amid the pandemic

Bangalore (Metro Rail News): Workers have started laying tracks on one portion of the Baiyappanahalli and Whitefield Metro line, making it the third stretch of 72-km Phase II to achieve such an important milestone after Kanakapura Road and Mysuru road Metro extensions. While the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) is hopeful of completing a large part of the civil works by March next year, land acquisition and tree-cutting hurdles near Tin Factory could delay the entire 15-km project.

Installation of rail tracks and welding works is being currently taken up on the 3-km viaduct near Whitefield. Contractors are confident of laying another 3-km of track between the M. Visvesvaraya and Whitefield Metro stations stretch by October, which has already completed 90 per cent of the civil work. Most of the civil works including track laying work between KR Puram and Whitefield is expected to expected to be complete by 2021.

“The track work is an important milestone but the stretch is one of the longest with some portions still struggling with land issues. Even two stations after KR Puram took some time to see progress due to land hurdles,” a senior BMRCL official was stated saying.

A major hurdle on its way is the proximity to Benniganahalli lake and around 60 trees. The BBMP’s Forest Department has put on hold the proposal to give clearance for tree cutting on the grounds that the case is being heard by the High Court. “We do not know when the land will be handed over to the engineering section. We will need at least 12-14 months to build new roads on both sides and construct the station.

Citing lockdown and labour shortage owing to Covid-19 pandemic, the BMRCL had recently revised the deadline to complete 15-km Whitefield line to June 2022. This has come as a huge disappointment to many who were expecting the 15-km Whitefield line to be completed by 2021.

Namma Metro starts tunnel works for underground Metro

Bangalore (Metro Rail News): Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) also known as Namma metro has begun its tunnelling work for the city’s underground Metro section. The second task of boring through the hard rock from Cantonment Metro station to Shivaji Nagar Metro station will begin on Saturday.

The Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) which are imported from China and entre India though the port in Chennai was transported to Bengaluru in March. The work was hampered due to COVID outbreak as well in the meanwhile. Now the machines have been placed in the underground Corridor of the Nagawara-Gottigere Line of (Reach-6) of Metro’s Phase-II. One machine named ‘Avani’ began tunnelling from Shivaji Nagar to MG Road station, at a distance of 1100 meters.

“The second machine was placed to the constriction area on Friday evening and on Saturday the ramp was installed to run the machine. It is just started and as per the geographical condition of the city, the machine will drill a distance of 2.5 metres per day. The remaining details will be shared later” a BMRCL official said.

The 13.9-km underground corridor runs from South Ramp near Jayanagar Fire station to North Ramp near Nagawara underground Metro Station with 12 underground stations. The two tunnels are set to be created with each running to a length of 10.37 km. According to the reports the first tunnelling machine Urja has completed drilling around 20 meters. In coming days the third machine ‘Lavi’ will start work in October and also fourth tunnelling machine ‘Vindhya’ will also bore the same direction.

Vacancies for Various Managerial Posts in Chennai Metro

Chennai (Metro Rail News): Chennai Rail Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has opened up vacancies for eligible candidates to fill up the vacant posts of General Manager (Construction), Additional General Manager (Legal), Deputy General Manager (Human Resource), Estate Officer and Assistant Manager (Finance and Accounts)/ Dy. Manager (Finance and Accounts)/ Manager (Finance Accounts).

As per the official notification, CMRL has advertised a total of 05 vacancies; one for each post. Applicants who wish to build their future in Chennai Metro Rail Limited can apply before September 18, 2020. Get the detailed official notification for each post from the official website.

The recruitment for the announced posts is for the Chennai Metro Rail Project. Candidates who get appointed for the General Manager (Construction) receives monthly remuneration of Rs.
1,50,000 /- to Rs. 1,90,000/-, Additional General Manager (Legal) receives Rs. 1,20,000/-, Deputy General Manager (Human Resources) gets Rs. 90,000/-, Estate Officer gets Rs. 80,000/- and Assistant Manager (Finance and Accounts)/ Dy. Manager (Finance and Accounts)/ Manager (Finance Accounts) gets Rs. 40,000/- to Rs. 80,000/-.

To apply for Estate Officer and General Officer, candidates must have BE/ B. Tech degree in Civil Engineering. Those who are applying for Assistant Manager (Finance and Accounts)/ Dy. Manager (Finance and Accounts)/ Manager (Finance Accounts) must be a Chartered Accountant and a member of ICAI or Cost Accountant. A graduate degree in any discipline is required for Deputy General Manager (HR) post. Candidates intending to apply for Additional General Manager must have a graduation degree in law.

Moreover, the candidate has to ensure that they satisfy the age limit as prescribed. Those who are applying for General Manager post should ensure that their age should not exceed that of 50 years. The maximum age limit for Additional General Manager (Legal) is 47 years, for Deputy General Manager (Human Resource) is 40 years and for Estate Officer and Assistant Manager (Finance and Accounts)/ Dy. Manager (Finance and Accounts)/ Manager (Finance Accounts) is 38 years.

Applications from only experienced candidates are invited. Those who have a minimum of 23 years of work experience can apply for General Manager (Construction) post. A minimum of 15 years of work experience is required for Additional General Manager (Legal), 13 years of experience for Deputy General Manager (Human Resource), 07 years of work experience for Estate Officer. At least 02 years of experience is mandatory for Assistant Manager (Finance and Accounts), 04 years of experience for Dy. Manager (Finance and Accounts) and 07 years for Manager (Finance and Accounts).

Underground construction work of Kolkata metro underway

Kolkata ( Metro Rail News ) – Underground construction work of the Noapara-Barasat via Bimanbandar Metro rail project in West Bengal is underway in full swing, while adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols, an official said on familiar with the matter said.

Construction of the diaphragm wall is in progress underneath the Airport Entry Road at the proposed Bimanbandar Metro Station, he said.

All necessary steps have been taken for ensuring smooth vehicular movement at the junction of the congested VIP Road and Airport Entry Road, a Kolkata Metro Railway official said.

After the construction of a temporary guard wall at the site, soil is being excavated and the cage of the diaphragm wall is being lowered, he said. The machine excavating the soil has the capacity to operate up to a depth of 50 metres.

The state authorities have also been cooperating for smooth completion of the construction work, the official
said.