Indian Railways to allow private players to choose halt stations

M K Rai
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Indian Railways to allow private players to choose halt stations

New Delhi (Metro Rail News): The Private entities who are going to be handed over 150 trains to ply on 109 routes by the Railways will have a free hand to choose halt stations of the trains they operate according to documents released by the Indian Railways.

The private operators will need to submit in advance to the Railways the list of such intermediate stations on the trains’ route where they are going to propose halts in advance.
They will also have to provide the time in and time out at the intermediate railway stations, which shall form part of the train operation plan. This has to be submitted in advance and will be in place for at least a year, after which it can be revised, the same documents say.

The Railways has been reported to say that the number of such halts of the private trains will not be more than the number of existing halts of the fastest train of the Railways operating on such routes. The train operation plan submitted by private operators will also have to include the stations at which the water tanks in the trains need to be filled and also the railway stations, washing lines or stabling lines, as the case may be, at which the train toilets would be evacuated.

These trains are scheduled to begin operations by 2023. It has been further reported that the fare system of these trains will not be regulated by any authority and will be decided by the private players itself.

Bombardier Transportation India, Siemens Limited and Alstom Transport India Ltd are the biggest players of this process among 20 such other firms. The project is going to bring in private players to run trains is expected to gain private sector investment of around Rs 30,000 crore. The 109 routes have been formed into 12 clusters that will cover major parts of the Indian Railways network.

Indian Railways will earn by charging the private entity fixed haulage charges and energy charges as per actual consumption. The national transporter will also get a share in the gross revenue which will be decided through a transparent bidding process. As of now, the private train operator would need to access the Railway’s PRS (passenger reservation system) for management and distribution of its ticket inventory. For usage of such reservation system, they may have to pay a charge to the Indian Railways, as per the document.

DMRC starts preliminary work on fifth bridge over Yamuna River for Phase IV Project

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DMRC starts preliminary work on fifth bridge over Yamuna River for Phase IV Project

New Delhi (Metro Rail News): The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has started preliminary work on the 5th Metro bridge over river Yamuna, which is coming up on the Majlis Park – Maujpur Metro corridor of Delhi Metro Phase 4. The bridge will be 560 metres long. As of today, there are four existing bridges of Delhi Metro on the Yamuna River

The bridge is going to connect the Soorghat Metro Station and the Sonia Vihar Metro Station of the Majlis Park – Maujpur corridor. After carrying out a geotechnical investigation at the location of proposed piers, the activity of casting of test piles is in progress. The active course of Yamuna has been constructed by raising the level of the ground by filling of earth and sand from a nearby area with the protection of its slope through bamboo, jute netting and sandbags. The level of cofferdam has been kept the same as the level of the adjacent road to ensure smooth supply of construction materials.

This bridge will come up between two existing bridges on the Yamuna. These existing ones are Wazirabad Bridge and the Signature Bridge. If officials are to be believed, it is going to be first-ever Metro bridge over the Yamuna to be built using the Cantilever construction method. A cantilever is a rigid structural element which extends horizontally and is supported at only one end. Typically it extends from a flat, vertical surface such as a wall or pier, to which it must be firmly attached. Cantilever construction allows overhanging structures without additional support. This beautifies the look of a structure.

To finalize the Phase 4 designs, DMRC’s engineers are using the BIM platform, through which they have been able to finalise the designs even during the days of the pandemic when physical meetings weren’t possibleThis bridge crosses river Yamuna at about 385m downward of old Wazirabad Bridge and 213m upstream of existing Signature Bridge.

According to sources, mandatory approvals from the concerned agencies have been obtained for the construction of the bridge. DMRC is committed to fulfilling the conditions given by the Principal Committee on the Yamuna for construction of the bridge.

Indian Railways begins construction of world’s tallest pier bridge in Manipur

M K Rai
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Indian Railways begins construction of world’s tallest pier bridge in Manipur

Imphal (Metro Rail News): – Indian Railways has initiated many projects in North East India in its effort to provide better connectivity to the region with a special focus in connecting the remotest areas of the seven sister states. The Railways is taking multiple steps for improving transportation and connectivity in some of the backward areas of the region.

One such step of the Indian Railways is to construct a pier bridge in Manipur. The North-East Frontier Railway zone of the Indian Railways has started the construction of the world’s tallest pier bridge in the North-Eastern state of Manipur. This move is going to provide efficient and effective rail connectivity to the region. The bridge which is being constructed across river Ijai near Noney is being seen as an engineering marvel because of the tallest pier height in the project will be of 141 meter. It will surpass the existing record of 139 meters of Mala – Rijeka viaduct that of Montenegro in Europe.

The bridge is a part of Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal new BG line project (111 Km). The total length of the bridge will be 703 meters. The piers of the bridge are constructed using hydraulic augers, the tall piers needed specially designed “slip-form technique” to ensure efficient and continual construction.

“The total length of the bridge will be 703 meters. The piers of the bridge are constructed using hydraulic augers. The tall piers needed specially designed ‘slip-form technique’ to ensure efficient and continual construction,” a Railway official said. The steel girders are pre-fabricated in a workshop, transported in segments and erected at the site.

Telangana set for establishing the largest private rail coach factory

M K Rai
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Telangana set for establishing the largest private rail coach factory

Hyderabad ( Metro Rail News ) – Hyderabad will soon be home to the country’s largest railway coach factory in the private sector, with IT and Industries Minister K T Rama Rao laying the foundation stone for the Rs 1,000 crore Medha Servo Rail Coach factory at Kondakal village in Ranga Reddy district on Thursday.

Telanganas Industries Minister K. T. Rama Rao on Thursday laid the foundation stone for Medha Rail Coach Factory at Kondakal near Hyderabad.
Rangareddy: Telangana Industries and IT Minister KT Rama Rao at the groundbreaking ceremony of Medha rail coach factory in Kondakal of Shankarpally Mandal in Rangareddy district on Aug 13, 2020. (Phto: IANS)

Underscoring Telangana’s emergence as a major investment destination in various sectors, the Minister, speaking after the groundbreaking ceremony, said: “Hyderabad has an aviation hub at Adibhatla that makes components for Boeing, Apache and Sikorsky aircraft and helicopters, a tractor factory in Zaheerebad, a bus building unit in Hyderabad and now railway coaches will also be manufactured in Telangana.”


The factory which will have facilities to manufacture coaches, locomotives, intercity trainsets, metro trains, monorail, among others, will provide direct employment to at least 1,000 persons besides generating indirect employment for another 1,200. The planned production capacity would be 500 coaches of various types and 50 locomotives per year.
Rama Rao, stating that the State government’s proactive approach and conducive policies had encouraged Medha Group to establish its world-class rail coach factory in the State, said the facility signals the creation of an ecosystem for rail coach manufacturing in Telangana State.

He called upon Medha, established by home grown entrepreneurs, to explore the possibility of venturing into the Rs 30,000 crore initiative of the Union government for manufacture of Metro coaches. He also urged the company to participate in monorail or metro rail projects in tier two cities like Warangal, besides entering the huge Electric Vehicles (EV) market taking advantage of the State government’s recent EV policy. “You must analyse our policy and come up with ideas to manufacture EV buses, cars, two-wheelers and even three-wheelers,” he said


He attributed the stupendous growth of Medha, established in 2005, to sheer hard work, and pointed out that it had grown from a Rs 25 crore company to setting up 12 factories across five continents. “Medha being a homegrown company makes Telangana proud,” he added.

Telangana must transform into a self-reliant State, which is the aim of Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao. We must acquire the knowledge to manufacture world-class equipment.
Medha can partner with European companies and make Telangana the only State to produce world-class railway coaches,” he said, adding that once the 160 km speed locomotives manufactured by Medha hit the tracks, the entire lifestyle of daily commuters will change.

Daily commute

“Anyone who works in Hyderabad need not necessary have to live in the city. A person from Adilabad can reach Hyderabad in just one hour. Similarly, anyone living in Vijayawada can reach Hyderabad in two hours and from Hyderabad to Bengaluru in just three hours,” he was stated saying.

Urging the Medha Group to consider adopting Kondakal and Velmal villages as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility, the Minister also appealed to the MPs to spend money from MPLADS in establishing skill development centres to train local youth under Telangana Academy for Skill and Knowledge (TASK).

CMRL conducts competitions for staff on Independence Day

M K Rai
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CMRL conducts competitions for staff on Independence Day

Chennai (Metro Rail News): In a distinguished style, the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) celebrated the 74th Independence Day on Saturday with adopting different methods than the previous years amid the rising cases of Coronavirus infections.

The Managing Director of CMRL Mr. Pradeep Yadav hoisted the national flag. A parade was also organised at the CMRL headquarters in Koyambedu.
Competitions such as chess, carrom, badminton, tennis, and brisk walk were conducted. Among the participants, 45 of them won prizes. The prizes were distributed by the managing director.
Sujatha Jayaraj, director of finance, Rajeev Narayan Dwivedi, director of projects, also participated in the event.

A statement issued by the CMRL said that events were done according to the Covid safety norms. “The staffs wore masks and maintained social distancing as a protective measure against Covid-19” , the statement said.

Railway’s private train project sees the massive response

M K Rai
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Railway’s private train project sees the massive response

New Delhi (Metro Rail News) Twenty-three firms including GMR group, Spanish coach and component maker CAF, Bombardier India along with public sector entities RITES and Bharat Heavy Electricals, are reported to have shown interest in operating train services in the country. Other companies that attended the first pre-application conference (also the first meeting) on the private train project, convened on Wednesday, included RK Associates, Sterlite Power, Medha Group (which had also bid for the Train 18 project), Railways’ catering arm IRCTC, Bharat Forge, and JKB Infrastructure, reports citing sources said. Railways, however, has not revealed the names of companies that have participated in the meeting. Under the private train project, Indian Railways is supposed to lease out 109 routes across the railway network to private entities to run modern passenger trains. The Railways proposes to hand over 151 routes to private operators on lease. The project for private participation in passenger train operations will bring in a paradigm shift in passenger experience by significantly enhancing the quality of service while reducing transit time and supply-demand deficit through the introduction of modern rolling stock. The project will augment the availability of transportation services for the public, a railway ministry release stated.

These trains will be in addition to trains already on board of the Railways.The private train project would entail private sector investment of around Rs30,000 crore. Introduction of these additional private trains will also boost job opportunitiesThe private partners for undertaking the project will be selected through a two-stage competitive bidding process comprising of Request for Qualification (RFQ) and Request for Proposal (RFP).Post first pre-application conference, the railway ministry reduced the RFQ fee by a tenth for participating in more than one project, removed restriction of up to three projects per bidder and clarified that leasing of trains is allowed. The ministry has also shared traffic data, draft concession agreement, draft feasibility report and draft manual for standards and specifications of trains etc.

As part of the bidding process, the railway ministry conducted the second Pre-Application Conference on August 12, 2020, which received an overwhelmingly positive response, with participation from about 23 prospective Applicants with varied profiles.

The Railways will announce the responses to second pre-application conference by 21 Aug 2020. 

Investigators confirm derailed train hit landslide in Britain

M K Rai
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Investigators confirm derailed train hit landslide in Britain

London (Metro Rail News): A passenger train hit a landslide before derailing in Scotland earlier this week, killing three people, U.K. rail investigators confirmed Friday.

A train track obstruction had been suspected of playing a role in Wednesday’s derailment near the coastal town of Stonehaven, about 100 miles (160 kilometres) northeast of Edinburgh because it happened after heavy rain and flooding in the area.

Thankfully, fatal derailments are a rare occurrence on the U.K.s national network, Simon French, chief inspector of rail accidents, said. However, landslips and other earthworks failures remain a risk to trains that need to be constantly managed and this is becoming even more challenging for the rail industry due to the increasing incidence of extreme weather events.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch, which French oversees, said that after the train derailed, it kept going in a straight line as the track curved to the right.
The lead power car struck a bridge parapet and fell down a wooded embankment with the third passenger car.

Prince Charles is visiting the accident site Friday to thank emergency workers who came to help others in rugged terrain.

Infrastructure manager Network Rail dispatched engineers, contractors and surveyors in helicopters to assess sites similar to the location of the derailment.

Karnataka CM Yeddyurappa hopes to Open Bengaluru metro phase 2 by 2024

M K Rai
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Karnataka CM Yeddyurappa hopes to Open Bengaluru metro phase 2 by 2024

Bangalore (Metro Rail News ) – Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Saturday said that he hopes to complete the Rs 30,695 crore Bengaluru metro phase 2 project in the city by 2024, and said his government was taking measures to reboot “social and organic facilities” here to improve the basic infrastructure.

In his speech during the 74th Independence Day celebrations here, he said, “we will take up Phase II of Bangalore Metro at a cost of Rs 30,695 crore and we hope to complete the project by June 2024.”

Noting that some 110 acres of land that belongs to NGEF near the Byappanahalli Metro station has been identified and “we are designing people-friendly plans here”, Yediyurappa said, “In this plot, we will grow plants with a wide variety of species with organic diversity.”

The plans also include setting up of food court, traditional cottage industry, fun park for children and provide space for handloom exhibition and sale, he said.

Yediyurappa said the government has a plan to create greenery on either side of the 400 km primary canals, besides carving out bicycle and pedestrian trails next to the bund.

In the first stage, the historic major canal from Dharmanbudhi Lake to Bellandur lake will be taken up for this project with eco-system, construction of 36km length walking and cycling path and embellish the citys cultural and social facets in that region, he added.

First girder & viaduct placed on Kochi metro Rail extension stretch

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First girder & viaduct placed on Kochi metro Rail extension stretch

Kochi ( Metro Rail News ) – Even though the pandemic is getting worst, the work of Kochi Metro Rail’s extension up to Tripunithura from Petta is progressing according to the deadline. The first precast girder and viaduct for the stretch were placed near Panamkutty Bridge at Petta here on 13th.

The Phase I extension of Kochi Metro consists of two stretches, first from Petta to SN Junction comprising of two stations — Vadakkekotta and SN Junction — and a two-lane bridge across the Panamkutty river. The estimated cost of the work is Rs 360 crore according to official sources.

“Kochi Metro restarted the construction work on April 21. It followed COVID protocol in all aspects. Despite the challenges, we were able to retain the labour force. We are planning to complete the construction in a time-bound manner,” Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) managing director Alkesh Kumar Sharma was stated saying.

Hailing KMRL’s efforts, Secretary of Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Durga Shanker Mishra tweeted, “In spite of the challenges, precast pier cap and girders were launched yesterday. Heartiest congratulations to Kochi Metro Rail team! I am sure you will continue working with the same grit and determination for getting metro rail operational in time to bring ease in living to citizens.”

Different projects of the Kochi Metro Rail are running without delay and are expected to get completed on time as per sources in the Kochi Metro Rail Limited.

182 trains to run between Mumbai and Konkan for Ganesh Chaturthi

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182 trains to run between Mumbai and Konkan for Ganesh Chaturthi

Mumbai ( Metro Rail News ) – Around 182 train services are expected to run to and from Mumbai to various part of Konkan from August 15 to cater to the rush of passengers on the occasion of the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi.

Among these, 163 services will be operated by Central Railway (CR) and 20 will be operated by Western Railway. Only those with confirmed tickets will be allowed to board these trains as per official sources.

CR’s chief public relations officer Shivaji Sutar was stated saying, “Passengers are advised to adhere all norms, SOPs related to Covid-19 during the boarding, travel and at destination.”


Train no 01101/2 CSMT-Sawantwadi Road special will run between August 15 and September 23. It will leave CSMT at 11.05 pm and Sawantwadi at 10.10 am.
Train no. 01103/4 LTT-Kudal will leave LTT at 11.50 pm August 15 to August 22. The train will run from Kudal at 12 pm till August 23.
Train no. 01105/6 CSMT-Sawantwadi Road will leave CSMT at 10 pm daily between August 15-22. From Sawantwadi Road it will leave depart at 08.50 am between August 16 and 23.
Train no. 01107/8 LTT-Ratnagiri special will leave LTT at 10.30 pm between August 15-22. On its return journey, it will leave Ratnagiri at 6.30 am till August 23.
Train no. 01109/10 CSMT-Sawantwadi Road will leave CSMT at 07.10 am and from Sawantwadi at 8.35 pm daily from August 25 to September 5.
Train no 01111/12 CSMT-Sawantwadi will leave CSMT at 5.50 am and Sawantwadi at 4.15 pm daily between August 25 and September 5.
Train no 01113/14 LTT-Sawantwadi Road Special will leave LTT at 5.30 am and Sawantwadi at 5.30 pm daily from August 24 to September 5

Chennai Metro’s Wimco Nagar Rail Depot expected to be ready by December

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Chennai Metro’s Wimco Nagar Rail Depot expected to be ready by December

Chennai (Metro Rail News) The Pandemic has delayed many infrastructure projects, but the elevated metro rail maintenance depot, which could eventually hold a 20-storey apartment complex in the future, coming up in Wimco Nagar would be ready on time as per the inputs provided by official sources.

“The depot will be ready by December as per the initial deadline. The depot is under construction on a 48,000sqm area to accommodate 11 stabling units for daily maintenance and minor repair works for trains that will be operated on a 32km corridor”, said one official.


Although the nationwide lockdown in view of COVID spread has already hit the economy as well as the infrastructure projects badly, the CMRL (Chennai Metro Rail Ltd) officials have been saying that the works are going on with full pace. While the extension line, which was expected to be ready by mid-2020, is likely to be delayed by six months, officials said there won’t be any delay in getting the depot ready.

The lockdown has not caused any delays in the construction of the depot. Work is going on as per the schedule and we will meet the deadline,” an official said. “We stopped work for a month and a half and started soon after the government gave instructions to start work with 50% workers in May. We have nearly 1,200 people working now at the north Chennai line and the depot and we are also trying to bring back other workers who left for their native town. We are expecting the extension line to be ready by December,” an official said.


As construction is underway, CMRL floated a tender for design, manufacture, supply and installation of spares and consumables needed for the facilities being built at the depot, including the automatic train wash plant, car body stand, retractable overhead equipment (OHE) and self-propelled battery operated scissor lift. The depot will serve both the existing 23km corridor from Washermenpet to Airport and under construction 9km extension line Washermenpet to Wimco Nagar.

UPMRC celebrates Independence Day in presence of its MD

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UPMRC celebrates Independence Day in presence of its MD

Lucknow/Kanpur ( Metro Rail News ) – The Managing Director of UPMRC, Mr. Kumar Keshav hoisted the National Flag to mark the 74th Independence Day of the Nation and celebrated this occasion with the officers and staff of the company. He unfurled the tricolour flag at the UPMRC’s Administrative Building at 8.45 AM and at the Transport Nagar Metro Depot at 10:00 AM.

Flag Hosting by UPMRC MD
Managing Director of UPMRC, Mr. Kumar Keshav hoisted the National Flag to mark the 74th Independence Day

On the day, all the employees from the Project and the Operations & Maintenance Wing maintained the norms of social distancing & remembered the freedom struggle and the sacrifices made by our immortal freedom fighters of the Country.

The Managing Director delivered an inspirational lecture to the employees and enlightened them with the historical speeches given by Father of the Nation – Late Mahatma Gandhi in 1942 during the Quit India Movement & by Shaheed Bhagat Singh during the freedom struggle. He called upon all the employees to march ahead on the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi. 

Officials and employees involved in the Kanpur Metro project also celebrated Independence Day by flagging off in the casting card, led by Shri Arvind Singh, Project Director, Kanpur Metro.

On the occasion, Shri Kumar Keshav said, “Being a public transport system, UPMRC has lots of responsibilities towards its public and we have to deliver it with our combined efforts. We followed this approach earlier and completed the construction work of Lucknow Metro’s whole ‘North-South Corridor’ in record time. This time too we have to move ahead with the same approach and provide Metro to the public keeping their need and comfort in mind”. 

Railways announce new Clerk & apprentice Vacancies

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Railways announce new Clerk & apprentice Vacancies

New Delhi ( Metro Rail News ) – Much awaited Railway Recruitment Board will conduct RRB NTPC 2020 Exam to fill 35208 vacancies under Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC). The vacancies were announced last year. Amongst these posts, 24605 vacancies are Graduate Posts and 10603 vacancies are Undergraduate Posts. RRB NTPC Exam will be conducted only after the appointment of Exam Conducting Agency through tenders and bids.

The Railways have also invited around 500 new vacancies for new posts. According to different news reports, The Railways is also finding options to conduct the pending exams as it has already been more than one and a half year after the candidates applied for different posts.

North East Frontier Railway Indian Railways in a recent development  has released Apprentice recruitment held on 4499 different Apprentice posts. The eligible candidates willing to apply may visit the official website for detailed information and further updates.

Tunneling to start at different sites of Mumbai Metro Line 3

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Tunneling to start at different sites of Mumbai Metro Line 3

Mumbai ( Metro Rail News) – Few exclusive retrieval images of TBM Tansa-2 at Worli Station of Mumbai Metro line 3 was shared by Mumbai Metro on Saturday. It was then transported in assembled condition by self-propelled modular transporter to Science Museum station. It has been reported that the TBM will commence it’s 2200 m upline drive towards the Mumbai Central through Mahalaxmi Station.

The news came on the eve of Independence Day and it shows the consistency of work by Mumbai Metro even amid the COVID Pandemic according to sources and experts of the Industry. Tunnelling and Boring work are one of the most important things when it comes to the development of metro projects.

The work is going to cover a host of stations and it will further help the metro authoities to complete works at expected time.

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