Alstom to get EU antitrust approval to buy Bombardier Inc’s rail business

Aria Smith
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Alstom to get EU antitrust approval to buy Bombardier Inc’s rail business

BRUSSELS (Metro Rail News): Alstom is all set to get European Union (EU) antitrust approval to buy Bombardier Inc’s rail business, people familiar with the matter said on Monday, a deal which will make the French rail manufactures the world’s second-largest after Chinese state-owned CRRC Corp.

Earlier this month Alstom offered to sell a French rail factory, its regional train unit Coradia Polyvalent, and a Bombardier commuter trains division and the related production facilities at its Hennigsdorf site in Germany.

The French TGV high-speed train maker also proposed providing access to some products within Bombardier’s train control systems and signalling units to competitors.

The permissions came after the European Commission voiced concerns about Alstom’s more enormous market clout after the deal.
Alstom finally improved the concession on access to the Canadian company’s train control systems and signalling units but did not have to sell more assets following feedback to the Commission from rivals and customers, the people said.

The European Union Commission, which is scheduled to decide on the deal by July 31, declined to comment. Alstom and Bombardier also declined to comment.
Last year, EU regulators blocked Alstom’s attempt to merge rail assets with Siemens AG after they refused to offer more permissions.

Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet train Project not in the priority list of Maharashtra Govt: CM Uddhav Thackeray

Narendra Shah
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Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet train Project not in the priority list of Maharashtra Govt: CM Uddhav Thackeray

MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project is not in his priority list of major infrastructure projects in Maharashtra said Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. He also clarified that the bullet train project has now taken a ‘backseat’. Although, he prefers a bullet train to connect Mumbai to Nagpur rather than Ahmedabad.

“Since the inception of our government no one asked about this project and we have also not discussed it. We will take people-oriented issues that will benefit our Maharashtra. The government is with people of the state,” Chief Minister CM Uddhav Thackeray said.

Chief Minister said that he would like to connect the capital of Maharashtra, Mumbai, to the state’s sub-capital Nagpur.

“There are some people who intentionally make a difference between people of Vidarbha and the rest of Maharashtra. This Mumbai to Nagpur bullet train will help to bridge the gap. Like Samruddhi Mahamarg, the bullet train will compete if the central government revises its plan,” said the Chief Minister.

Chief Minister said that Shiv Sena as a party has always supported the farmers who opposed the bullet train.

Now, we are in power; we will do whatever it takes to support the farmers. In Nanar refinery case, the central government had approved the plan, and some people even offered their land, and the transaction also happened. But the majority of people were against the Nanar, so what happened? We cancelled it, and the same thing will happen with Mumbai to Ahmedabad bullet train.

CM further said that his government is like ‘a three-wheeler auto rickshaw- it is a poor man’s vehicle.’

We don’t need bullet trains, but I will prefer the auto-rickshaw. There were some differences of opinion and communication gap among the ministers due to the COVID-19 situation. But we are back to normal. We are now maintaining regular communication. I also spoke with Congress president Sonia Gandhi and NCP chief Sharad Pawar.

WRMS opposes bullet train project

In Gujarat, The Western Railway Mazdoor Sangh (WRMS) working committee has decided to request the chairman of Railway Board to drop the Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train project and save Rs 1 lakh crore so that economic health of railways can be recovered.

In the virtual working committee meeting held on Friday, 57 member attendees paid homage to all the railway employees who have died in the Covid-19 pandemic and also denounced the recent move of Western Railway (WR) asking nearly 400 railway families to vacate 21 buildings of suburban section between Churchgate and Virar in Mumbai.

The committee has passed resolutions demanding ex-gratia payment to railway employees who died in Covid-19 pandemic. WRMS general secretary J G Mahurkar highlighted that outsourcing and privatization being done in railway would weaken the railways

Not even 25% of land acquired in Maharashtra

The National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHRCL), The executing agency for the Inida’s first bullet train project, has been acquired only 23% of the total land required in Maharashtra. The land needed is 431 hectares and 100 hectares has been acquired.

“In Maharashtra, Only 23% of the land has been acquired while in Gujarat and Dadar Nagar Haveli 70% and 80% of the land required has been acquired,” the spokesperson said.

Out of 508 km-long Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail, 155 km will pass through Mumbai, Thane and Palghar districts in the state. Of this, 66 hectares (ha) is government land, 267. 55 ha private land, 97 ha forest land and the rest belongs to the railways. This land is spread across 2,344 plots.

The spokesperson said that a joint measurement survey of land required is almost about to be completed.
Of 100 hectares acquired so far in Maharashtra, 40 per cent of the land is in Thane and 13 per cent in Palghar and 19 per cent in Mumbai.

NHSRCL has floated tenders for civil work for 345 km of 508 km. It includes six stations, including one underground station in Mumbai, 345 km of viaduct construction and 21km-long underground/undersea tunnel. A separate tender for the fabrication of 28 steel bridges has also been floated.

The government had set a deadline for December 2019 to clear land acquisition roadblock but there has been opposition, especially in Maharashtra from tribals and farmers.

Germany to build World’s first hydrogen station for passenger trains

M K Rai
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Germany to build World’s first hydrogen station for passenger trains

BREMERVORDE, GERMANY (Metro Rail News): With the coming of the hydrogen fuel-based trains, the travel is going to be cheaper, convenient and more eco friendly. Germany’s model can be applied to the developing nations to cut carbon emissions.

Germany is set to have the “world’s first” hydrogen station for passenger trains. The foundation stone started with a groundbreaking ceremony held in Bremervörde, Germany on Tuesday. The construction works will start in September which follows a successful 18-month trial of the world’s first two hydrogen trains in the region. Linde will build and operate the station on behalf of the Lower Saxony Regional Transport Company (LNVG).

The station is expected to get operational by early 2022 and it will be able to fuel 14 of Alstom’s hydrogen-powered Coradia iLint’s, which will be supplied to the regional rail traffic provider LNVG, and will use the network of regional railway company EVB, as per media reports.  The station having a capacity of around 1,600kg of hydrogen per day will be one of the largest made under a nameplate.

The German transportation system is the start of a fuel system which will become need of the hour in the near future across the globe as it will be less polluting and best in terms of protecting environment. Alstom will be playing a crucial role in its development, sources said. 

The trains will be less noisy and more eco friendly which will further attract passengers. Germany’s model can help the Asian countries to plan likewise.

KEC-VNC JV bags civil contract of Kochi Metro Phase 1 Extension

Narendra Shah
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KEC-VNC JV bags civil contract of Kochi Metro Phase 1 Extension

KOCHI (Metro Rail News): The Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) opened the financial bids received from the civil contractors against package KAC-4 invited for the construction of 1.163 km long elevated corridor from S.N. Junction to Thrippunithura on July 24, 2020.

KEC International Ltd. – Vijay Nirman Company Pvt. Ltd. (KEC – VNC JV) emerged as the lowest bidder (L1) among the other two who are technically qualified civil contractors who participated in the bidding process. Below are the financial position posion of the each bidder:

  1. KEC International Ltd – Vijay Nirman Company (KEC – VNC JV): Rs 162.98 crore
  2. URC Construction Private Limited: Rs 179.56 crore
  3. Cherian Varkey Construction Company (CVCC): Rs 181.60 crore

Although, the rest of the two bidders Marymatha Infrastructure Private Limited and Crescent – EKK Infrastructure JV found technically disqualified as per the results of technical bids evaluation which was opened on July 14, 2020. Hence, their financial bids were not opened.

On May 13, 2020, The KMRL had called the bids from the civil contractors and the estimated cost of work Rs 166 crore.

KMRL would issue the Letter of Acceptance (LoA) to KEC – VNC JV after assessing the technical as well as financial bids. Once the LoA issued, the bidder will have to complete the work within 20 months.

The scope of work includes the construction of viaduct from S.N. Junction to Thrippunithura (from Ch. 26+962 to 28+125) including one Elevated Station i.e Thrippunithura Terminal (at Ch. 27+781.90) for Phase 1 Extension of Kochi Metro Rail Project excluding Architectural and Building Services Works of Stations.

It is relevant to mention here that KEC International Limited was earlier awarded the contract package KAC-2 for the construction of 1.78 km viaduct including two metro stations from Petta to S.N. Junction (Petta – Vadakkekotta – S.N. Junction). 

This 1.163 km elevated extension from S.N. Junction to Thrippunithura with one new station is a part of the under-construction Petta – Thrippunithura section of the 2.95 km Kochi Metro Rail project, Phase 1B.

Alstom starts manufacturing 100 Avelia Horizon trains for SNCF

M K Rai
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0
Alstom starts manufacturing 100 Avelia Horizon trains for SNCF

FRANCE (Metro Rail News): Avelia Horizon, which will be called TGV M by SNCF, is a joint initiative of the two companies to design a new generation of TGVs. The collaboration which started in May 2016 and culminated in SNCF awarding a €2.7bn contract for 100 trains to Alstom on July 26 2018. Alstom, the leading French train maker firm has started the production according to media reports. 

The firm is manufacturing the trailer coaches at La Rochelle and the power cars in Belfort and expects to complete the first power car in September followed by the first trailer coach in November.

Static testing of the first vehicles will begin in summer 2021. Fitting out of the coaches will start in autumn 2021. Dynamic testing should begin in May 2022 with delivery of the first trains scheduled for 2023. SNCF says it expects TGV M trains to enter service in June 2024.

Energy efficient

SNCF says the trains will consume 20% less energy than existing double-deck TGVs thanks to regenerative braking, eco-driving and their aerodynamic shape. The trains will be manufactured from more environmentally friendly materials and will be 97% recyclable.

“The design results in an improved carbon footprint of 32% compared with current trains,” SNCF says. “The acquisition cost is 20% lower than that of conventional trains and maintenance costs will drop by more than 30%.”

Avelia Horizon is modular and can have between seven and nine cars per train, rather than the standard eight on existing TGVs. The interior can be reconfigured in a day between first and second class. The power cars are shorter than on existing TGV Duplex trains and the new trains can seat up to 740 passengers, 20% more than today, within the same 200m length.

SNCF says Avelia Horizon will be the first 100% connected TGV with an optimised onboard internet network capable of integrating future innovations. Real-time transmission of information from various onboard components should increase reliability and make predictive maintenance possible.

The new trains will have 10% more glazing, a modular lighting system and a redesigned air-conditioning system. SNCF says it will be the first TGV entirely designed in collaboration with the wheelchair user’s association UFR. As a result, wheelchair passengers will be able to move around the train independently with access to seats on both levels as well as to the toilets.

Quality Buildcon bags New ISBT Depot Construction Contract of Patna Metro Rail

Narendra Shah
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Quality Buildcon bags New ISBT Depot Construction Contract of Patna Metro Rail

PATNA (Metro Rail News): Delhi Based Quality Buildcon Private Limited is emerged as the lowest bidder (L1) among the seven other bidders for the construction of New ISBT Depot of Patna Metro Rail project in financial bids opened today by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). 

Contract package PC-02: The scope of work of involves the development of New ISBT Rail Depot including earth filling, boundary wall, depot buildings, workshop, inspection shed, plumbing, drainage, external development, architectural finishes, road works, design and construction of PEB works etc.

The DMRC floats the tender of the above work on 16th April 2020. Quality Buildcon Private Limited has quoted Rs 143.35 crore against the estimated cost of Rs 172.18 crore and emerged as the lowest bidder. As per data disclosed by DMRC, The financial positions of all bidders are below: 

1. Quality Buildcon: Rs 143.35 crore (L1)

 2. Lisha Engineers: Rs 149.82 crore (L2)

 3. Dinesh Chandra R. Agrawal Infracon: Rs 184.38 crore (L3)

 4. Sam (India) Builtwell: Rs 188.89 crore (L4)

 5. YFC Projects: Rs 189.94 crore (L5)

 6. URC Construction: Rs 224.39 crore (L6)

 7. Pinax Steel Industries: Not qualified

The letter of acceptance (LoA) will be issued soon after the evaluation of the financial bids. The contractor will have to complete the construction and other activities for New ISBT Depot in 30 months.

As per the tender notice, the New ISBT Depot (Metro Carshed) will consist of 2 workshop bays with provision for 2 in the future, two inspection bay lines (IBLs) with provision for 2 in the future, 8 stabling bay lines (SBLs) which can accommodate a total of 32 (3-coach) trains along with an auto coach washing plant. Apart from this, buildings for other support activities like auditorium, training school, canteen, and operational control centre (OCC) will also be constructed under this contract.

UPMRC creates history with first double T-Girder erection at IIT Metro Station of Kanpur Metro

Narendra Shah
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UPMRC creates history with first double T-Girder erection at IIT Metro Station of Kanpur Metro

KANPUR (Metro Rail News): The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) has made another historic achievement on Friday midnight by the erection of the first pre-casted double T-girder of the metro corridor under the Kanpur Metro project and by doing this UPMRC added another new feat to its achievements. In fact, before this, double T-girder was never used for preparing slab of the concourse level of a Metro station under any Metro project in India. The strategy of Metro engineers behind the use of double T-girders in the civil construction of Kanpur Metro is that it will beneficial for saving time and for good finishing too.

On this proud moment, Shri. Kumar Keshav, Managing Director, UPMRC said, “It is our endeavor to always strive for an innovation that will not only speed up construction work but also enhance the structural beauty of the project. It is the result of these continuous efforts that for the first time in India, we have achieved an unprecedented achievement using this kind of experiment. This experiment will prove to be very effective in the direction of completing the Kanpur metro project within the stipulated time frame. I congratulate the whole team of Metro engineers, our Design Consultants and Contractor for evolving the concept and successfully implementing it at site. ”

What is a T-girder?

There are many types of girder used in the structure of metro, whose main task is to incorporate precast construction to enhance the speed in delivering the project. Double T-girder is now being used for construction of concourse slab above the road for elevated stations in Kanpur Metro construction. The girder is named after its shape resembling like the letter ‘T’ in English.

Why is the use of double T-girder special?

Generally, a group of single girders is used to form the base of the concourse of the elevated Metro stations, but in Kanpur Metro, double T-girder is used to form the base of the station’s concourse. It is being used to save time in construction and also, to enhance the finishing of the structure.

Agra Metro project gets clearance from the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India

Narendra Shah
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Agra Metro project gets clearance from the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India

AGRA (Metro Rail News): UPMRC’s Agra Metro Rail project got the green signal from the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. It is a Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) project of Agra which is the 3rd largest city of Uttar Pradesh. It is expected that around 20 lakh population will be benefitted through this vast network of Metro expansion by Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation. UPMRC has already successfully completed, executed & implemented the Lucknow Metro project in a record time of less than 4 years 6 months.

Detailed Project Report for the Agra Metro Project was approved by Union Cabinet on 28th February, 2019. On 8th March 2019, Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India laid down the foundation stone of the project via video conferencing. It was an auspicious occasion not only for the Agra Metro project but also for Lucknow Metro which commenced the commercial operations on the entire North-South corridor (from CCS Airport to Munshipulia) on the same day.

Hon’ble Supreme Court had appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to undertake the impact of the Agra Metro Project from environmental consideration. Chairman and Members of CEC visited Agra Metro Project on 15th – 16th January 2020 and conducted a very detailed inspection of the total alignment of the project.

CEC in his report dated 10th February, 2020 to Hon’ble Supreme Court was satisfied with the implementation strategy and measures being taken by UPMRC in implementing the Agra Metro Project and recommended the same very positively for necessary consideration and approval of Hon’ble Supreme Court.

Hon’ble Supreme Court in his decision after hearing the petition filed by UPMRC (formerly known as Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation) on 14th July, 2020 and after considering the Report of CEC has permitted UPMRC to proceed with the implementation of Agra Metro Rail Project in the city of Agra as the approved project by Govt. of India and Govt. of Uttar Pradesh.

Agra Metro Map
Agra Metro Map

The Agra Metro project is worth Rs 8,379.62 crores having 2 Corridors – ‘Sikandra to Taj East Gate’ of 14km route length & ‘Agra Cantt to Kalindi Vihar’ of 15.4km. The Corridor 1- ‘Sikandra to Taj East Gate’ will comprise 13 Metro stations with 6 Elevated & 7 Underground.

Shri Kumar Keshav, Managing Director, UPMRC stated that entire UPMRC team will not leave any stone unturned in delivering this world-class transport project for the city of Agra in the shortest possible time and will fully comply with the recommendations of CEC while implementing this prestigious project as per the directions of Hon’ble Supreme Court. 

UPMRC has been preparing and planning design works for the project which is now in an advanced stage. UPMRC, with its outstanding track the record will now take up the physical works at the site at a fast pace and complete the project in time which will provide environment friendly and hassle-free access to major residential & commercial areas of the city as well as easy connectivity to major historical sites like the Taj Mahal and The Agra Fort.

UPMRC to get Rs 5,661 cr from EIB for Kanpur Metro Project

Narendra Shah
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UPMRC to get Rs 5,661 cr from EIB for Kanpur Metro Project

KANPUR (Metro Rail News): Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (UPMRC) to get approx. Rs 5,661 crore (Euro 650 million) for procurement of Rolling Stock and other development for Kanpur Metro Rail project. The European Investment Bank (EIB) approved the loan amount in its recent board meeting held on 15th July 2020. 

In an official statement, European Investment Bank (EIB) said that the project investments is the construction and operation of an urban metro rail transit system in Kanpur, One of the largest industrial city of Uttar Pradesh (UP). EIB will finance the procurement of rolling stock and the development of two metro rail corridors with elevated sections, totalling to 32.4 km with 31 stations (of which 19.4 km with 19 stations and 13 km with 12 underground stations).

The Kanpur Metro Rail enables safer Kanpur city and business-friendly. By facilitating access to amenities and jobs, this low carbon and climate-resilient urban infrastructure will enhance the conditions for private sector development, while reducing environmental impact.

The project contributes to the two main goals of the EIB External Mandate:

(i) climate change mitigation by promoting the modal shift from road to the rail while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

(ii) social and economic infrastructure development by contributing to urban development. The project is in line with the EU Country Strategy Paper for India, which highlights the infrastructure gap and needs to address rising greenhouse gas emissions.

In India, metro projects do not fall within the range of the relevant Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) legislation except the built-up area is beyond a defined threshold, in which case the project is subject to screening by the State level Competent Authority. The status of testing, if any, is to be determined during the appraisal. The project has, in any case, been subject to an environmental and social impact assessment. The further steps in assessing and managing environmental risks are to be reviewed during the appraisal. Compliance with relevant EIB Social Standards is to be reviewed.

The Bank will require the promoter to ensure that the implementation of the project will be done in accordance with the Bank’s Guide to Procurement.

Recently, the implementing agency UPMRC had awarded a contract worth Rs 2,051 crore to Bombardier Transportation India for the supply of 201 metro coaches and provide signalling solutions for the Kanpur and Agra Metro Rail projects.

Tunneling work on Mumbai Metro Line 3 likely to complete by 2021

Narendra Shah
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Tunneling work on Mumbai Metro Line 3 likely to complete by 2021

MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) is implementing the city’s most ambitious projects, the 33.5-km fully underground Metro-3 (Colaba-Bandra-Seepz) majorly affected by the coronavirus-enforced lockdown in Mumbai.

In January 2020, MMRC set a new goal, which is to complete the tunneling work by December 2020 but due to lack of labourers, machinery and disruptions in the supply chain during the lockdown. The tunneling work of project likely delayed to beyond February 2021.

Before the lockdown, MMRC continued tunneling at a speed of 1,500 metres per month. Which has now reduced to 600m from the last two-and-a-half months. The number of labourers had reduced from 15,000 to 4,000 on-site, which has now improved to 6,000 as migrant labourers have started coming to the city. Currently, 80% of the tunneling work and 57% of the overall work have been completed.

“There has been a major disturbance in the supply chain, availability of labour and even spare parts. Notwithstanding that, we have completed 45.6km of tunneling work. While we did aim for December 2020 to complete tunneling work, it might go beyond February 2021 now. It is the stretch between Mahalakshmi and Mumbai Central that would spill over to 2021″ said the official.

MMRC was expecting that the first rolling stock (Train Coaches) by December 2020, that might also be postponed due to the lockdown. Maharastra Chief Minister Shri Uddhav Thackeray has also stalled the car-shed work at Aarey Colony, which would further delay the project. Thackeray stalled the work in November 2019 and appointed a committee to look at alternative options for the car-shed. Still, the state is yet to take a call on it.

The first deadline for Mumbai Metro line 3 of the fully underground corridor was June 2021, which was revised to December 2021, owing to delays caused by legal battles.

MMRC had estimated that even a day’s delay in Metro-3 would cost ₹4.2 crores in 2017. The project cost has already escalated from ₹23,000 crore to ₹32,000 crores.

Metro 2A and Metro 7 are likely to be operational by December 2020 had also been pushed to April 2021.

NCRTC completes 1st segmental span on Delhi-Meerut RRTS Corridor

Narendra Shah
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NCRTC completes 1st segmental span on Delhi-Meerut RRTS Corridor

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Marking an important milestone for India’s first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), the work on building the viaduct of Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor gathered pace. NCRTC today completed the launching, joining, and lowering of the first segmental span between P382 – P383 near Guldhar. The lowering of the first segmental span was done in the presence of Shri. Vinay Kumar Singh, Managing Director, NCRTC, and other senior officials of NCRTC. The various segments lifted are joined together to make a viaduct. There were total of 12 segments in this first span of 34 meters between P382-P383 which have been successfully launched and joined today. The launching gantry (*तारिणी*) will now move towards Ghaziabad.

In another development, NCRTC has started the lifting of the segment between P31 –P32 between Sahibabad and Ghaziabad. Shri Vinay Kumar Singh, MD/NCRTC today inspected the ongoing construction work on this entire stretch of the corridor including the lifting of the segment between Sahibabad and Ghaziabad. He advised the NCRTC team and reiterated the fact that NCRTC engineers and the agency to ensure workers safety and convenience of local residents during construction while taking care of all essential precautions for COVID-19 as specified in the NCRTC issued Standard Operating Procedure. *A handbook on various necessary safety measures required & adopted during the construction of the RRTS project was also released by MD today.

The segments of this corridor are being cast at the Vasundhara casting yard. RRTS viaduct will have a design speed capability of 180 kmph. NCRTC is taking all the safety measures to ensure that the launching work does not affect the public or the moving traffic. The area below is duly barricaded, for the movement of workers to the launching girder man lifts and temporary staircases are being used.

The work for the 17 km long priority section between Sahibabad and Duhai is in progress, superstructures are now visible. Work on the 32km section between Duhai to Shatabdi Nagar, Meerut is going on in full swing. Foundation work has started at Modinagar and Shatabdi Nagar.

The 82km long Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor is targeted to be completed by 2025

Virgin Hyperloop appoints Raja Narayanan as the Chief Financial Officer

Aria Smith
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Virgin Hyperloop appoints Raja Narayanan as the Chief Financial Officer

LOS ANGELES (Metro Rail News): Virgin Hyperloop Today appointed Raja Narayanan as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Narayanan who was previously with Hyundai-Aptiv JV will oversee all finance and business development activity for Virgin Hyperloop as compnay drives hyperloop technology towords commercialisation.

Raja Narayanan, CFO, Virgin Hyperloop, Said:

“I have built my career around things tht fly and things that move. For the next chapter, I am excited to be joining Virgin Hyperloop, the company truly pioneering the future of autonomous mass transit. I am convinced in the value of hyperloop to unlock exponential growth and impact millions in generations to come by creating a safe, sustainable mode of transportation,” said Narayanan.

Jay Walder, CEO, Virgin Hyperloop, Said:

Raja Narayanan has an unprecedented background in creating value in disruptive transportation opportunities.We are excited to have him join Virgin Hyperloop at this pivotal time where the world is adapting to the new normal and realising we need solutions like hyperloop that allow us to not just rebuild, but evolve..

Before joining virgin Hyperloop, Narayana was worked with Hyundai-Aptiv Autonomous Driving Joint Venture, OneWeb, and Panasonic. He is an alumnus of University of Louisiana and University of Madras.

Narayanan was SVP at Hyundai-Aptiv Autonomous Driving Joint Venture. He was responsible for commercialising L4 autonomous driving technology. L4 is an advanced form of self-driving, where no driver attention is required for safety, as against partial monitoring by the driver. The driver could even go to sleep.

Narayanan was involved with OneWeb, before Hyundai-Aptiv. He was the VP at Panasonic before that, heading the strategic planning of the appliances business to IoT-based automation.

Narayanan holds the master’s degrree in computer Science from University of Louisiana, Lafayette and has dual Bachelor’s degrees in Engineering and Physics from Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore and University of Madras respectively. He is also the co-author of six wireless patents that have been granted by the U.
S. patent office.

Matrix Wins ‘National Telecom Make in India Awards 2020’ by CMAI Association of India

Narendra Shah
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Matrix Wins ‘National Telecom Make in India Awards 2020’ by CMAI Association of India

The award of “Excellence in Manufacturing Telecom Equipment’s” was conferred on Matrix at the  virtual National Telecom Make in India Awards & Summit ceremony held on 21st July 2020 from New Delhi, organized by TEMA and CMAI Association of India. The Award has been instituted to promote manufacturing of world-class telecom products in India.

On winning this prestigious award, Ganesh Jivani, Chief Executive of Matrix said, “We are happy to win this award for “Excellence in Manufacturing Telecom Equipment”.  We thank TEMA and CMAI for recognizing Matrix for our technologies, products and solutions. Matrix offers cutting-edge telecom and physical security solutions in more than 50 countries including many first-world technologically advanced nations. With 250+ R&D engineers,  world-class processes and infrastructure, Matrix is committed to designing and manufacturing cutting-edge solutions. This award is a validation of Matrix’s innovation, design and manufacturing capabilities and will go a long way in motivating us towards building world-class technology solutions.”

About Matrix

Established in 1991, Matrix is a leader in Security and Telecom solutions for modern businesses and enterprises. As an innovative, technology driven and customer focused organization, the company is committed to keep pace with the revolutions in the Security and Telecom industries. With around 40% of its human resources dedicated to the development of new products, Matrix has launched cutting-edge products like Video Surveillance Systems – Video Management System, Network Video Recorder and IP Camera, Access Control and Time-Attendance Systems as well as Telecom Solutions such as Unified Communications, IP-PBX, Universal Gateways, VoIP and GSM Gateways and Communication Endpoints. These solutions are feature-rich, reliable and conform to the international standards. Having global footprints in Asia, Europe, North America, South America and Africa through an extensive network of more than 2,500 channel partners, Matrix ensures that the products serve the needs of its customers faster and longer. Matrix has gained trust and admiration of customers representing the entire spectrum of industries. Matrix has won many international awards for its innovative products.

For further information, please contact:
394-GIDC, Makarpura, Vadodara-390010, India
Toll Free – 1800-258-7747
E-Mail: inquiry@matrixcomsec.com
Website: www.MatrixComSec.com

Siemens Mobility awarded one billion-euro order for 30 new high-speed trains

Narendra Shah
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Siemens Mobility awarded one billion-euro order for 30 new high-speed trains

BERLIN, GERMANY (Metro Rail News): Deutsche Bahn has awarded the one billion-euro contract to Siemens Mobility for the supply of 30 new high-speed trains. DB has planned to extend its mainline fleet with 30 new high-speed trains at the start of 2022.

DB had requested bids for the supply of new High-Speed trains at the end of 2019 when the federal government announced it would be reducing the value-added tax on mainline rail tickets as of the beginning of 2020.

The trains will initially run on routes between the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and Munich via the high-speed Cologne-Rhine-Main line. The new trains will increase DB’s daily passenger capacity on these mainline routes by 13,000 seats.

Dr. Richard Lutz, CEO of Deutsche Bahn AG said:

Today marks a big step for a strong and environmentally friendly rail system: DB is investing one billion euros in new trains at a record level. Our fleet will be getting state-of-the-art additions with the new ICE trains, and our passengers will benefit from more seats, greater comfort and higher speeds by the end of 2022. The entire DB fleet will grow by 20 percent over the coming years. Even though demand has sharply declined due to the corona pandemic, everything speaks in favor of climate-friendly rail transport for the longer term. That’s why we’re committed to growth!

Andreas Scheuer, Germany’s Federal Minister for Transportation and Digital Infrastructure commented:

The new, ultra-modern ICE trains make rail travel even more attractive – also because high-performance high-speed trains, along with modern rail infrastructure, are a key prerequisite for increasing the frequency of nation-wide rail service. With this move, rail is increasingly becoming a climate-friendly alternative for long-distance travel. The order is also a strong economic stimulus and therefore a positive signal for many employees in the rail industry and their families. With an order of this size, we are securing thousands of jobs and strengthening innovations made in Germany.

Roland Busch, Deputy CEO and Member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG, said:

We are helping Deutsche Bahn implement its master plan for transforming Germany’s transport sector. The goal is to massively reduce CO2 emissions while at the same time attracting more people to public transport. Siemens and DB have long enjoyed a highly successful partnership. The most important requirement for the ICE order was to get the new trains on the rails very quickly. We can do exactly that by relying on our proven Velaro platform.

By 2026, 421 ICE trains with 220,000 seats will be operating on Germany’s rail system. In addition to the 30 new ICE trains just ordered, there is an option for an additional 60 trains. The total value of the order is estimated at one-billion euros.

The new ICE trains will be manufactured at Siemens locations in North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, and Austria. Technically, the train is based on the proven platform of the ICE 3. The new trains will have 440 seats and a top speed of 320 km/h. They will offer passengers greater comfort and convenience with features like frequency transparent windows for stable mobile phone reception and space for transporting bicycles.

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