Officials could visit Japan for India’s bullet train project

Kanika Verma
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Officials could visit Japan for India’s bullet train project

MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has sought the nomination of officers, who could be sent to Japan to prepare for certifications required for India’s first bullet train project, according to officials aware of the development. NHSRCL is executing the project that is expected to link Mumbai and Ahmedabad by 2023.

The Commission of Railway Safety (CRS), which certifies new rail tracks and trains in the country for safe operations, has no experience of certifying bullet trains and tracks, which are being introduced in India for the first time. This is the reason why officers are being sent to Japan, which is backing the project.

“Before offering trains and tracks for inspection to CRS, we will do a trial run.
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We have requested the aviation and railway ministries to constitute a team so that in future we have resources to certify bullet train operations. We have already sent two CRS officials to Japan,” said NHSRCL managing director Achal Khare.

Khare added they have requested for creation of a dedicated CRS team as it will require training as much as any other staff.

Former Railway Board member Shri Prakash said something new is coming to the country and most of the things associated with the project will happen for the first time. “CRS has no experience related to high-speed train operations and training will help it identify the shortcoming, if any, regarding bullet trains operations in Indian conditions.”

The NHSRCL also plans to run a confirmation car daily just before the start of regular bullet train operations. “Since the trains will run at a very high speed, a confirmation car from both directions will help us in identifying if there are any foreign objects on the tracks. We will have eight to 10 confirmation cars for this purpose,” Khare added.

India is also working with Japan to make key technical changes to the bullet trains so that they can handle extreme heat and high levels of pollution.

NHSRCL believes the trains will have to be customized for Indian conditions so that they do not break down due to heat and dust.

The government has set a deadline for completing the project by August 15, 2022, when India would complete 75 years of independence. NHSRCL expects to open one portion of the network by then and complete the entire Mumbai-Ahmedabad stretch by December 2023.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart, Shinzo Abe, laid the foundation stone for the project in 2017. The project will mark India’s shift to an era of high-speed trains capable of hitting speeds of up to 350 km per hour.

State, Centre to ink MoU for Bhopal, Indore Metro rail

Kanika Verma
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State, Centre to ink MoU for Bhopal, Indore Metro rail

BHOPAL (Metro Rail News): The Madhya Pradesh government will sign a memorandum of understanding with the Union government in New Delhi on Monday for the development of Metro rail in Bhopal and Indore.

The move will officially pave the way for the Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Company Limited’s to access loan from foreign funding agencies. The two projects are pegged at Rs 14,400 crore and likely to be completed in four years. MP urban development minister Jaivardhan Singh and senior state government officials would be present on the occasion.

“It is the official go-ahead for the project in Indore and Bhopal. Foreign funding agencies are on board,” said MP urban administration and housing development, principal secretary and MPMRCL MD, Sanjay Dubey

The projects will be part-funded by the central and state governments, besides loans from Asian Development Bank (ADB) and New Development Bank (NDB) for Indore Metro and European Investment Bank (EIB) for the Bhopal Metro.

The inking of MoU removes the final hurdle in the construction of the two projects. Both projects had to be reworked after the Centre announced a new Metro policy for 2017. It also opens a window for private investments in Metro operations by making private participation mandatory for availing central assistance on Metro projects.

The Union government’s financial support to the metro rail project is expected to be 20%. In October 2018, ahead of the state assembly elections, the Union Cabinet had given in-principle approval for the twin projects. Since then, the first civil work package which includes soil testing and laying of groundwork for Bhopal and Indore metro rail project has begun.

The Indore project will run along the Ring Line (Bengali Square – Vijay Nagar – Bhawarsala – Airport – Patasia – Bengali Square). The total number of stations on the line are 30. Bhopal project comprises two corridors of a total length 27.
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87 Km — Karond Circle to AIIMS (14.99 Km) and Bhadbhada Square to Ratnagiri Tiraha (12.88 Km).

Metro ‘Lite’ coming to Noida and Greater Noida

Kanika Verma
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Metro ‘Lite’ coming to Noida and Greater Noida

NOIDA (Metro Rail News): Travelling woes of thousands of commuters in Noida and Greater Noida may ease a lot soon with the introduction of a new mode of transport. So, you may have heard of ‘Lite’ versions of various things, including soft drinks and social media networks, but here we are talking about a new affordable version of the metro! The government is planning to run ‘Light Metro‘ in the city! Durga Shankar Mishra, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), said on Sunday that in near future, Light Metro will be introduced in Noida. Light Metro is less expensive.

The secretary has sought a proposal from the CEO of Greater Noida Authority for Light Metro between Sector 142 and Botanical Garden. According to Mishra, the per kilometer construction cost of elevated metro comes around Rs 250-Rs 350 crore at present. This price goes up to Rs 700 crore per km in case of underground metro. In contrast, the Light Metro will cost just Rs 100 crore. 

Mishra on Sunday also inaugurated a 300 meter-long walkway connecting Delhi Metro’s Blue Line with Aqua Line of Noida Metro. The walkway has been built by the Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC), linking Sector 52 station of Blue Line with Sector 51 of Aqua Line. The walkway will give commuters seamless connectivity while traveling to Noida and Greater Noida from Delhi and other places and vice-versa.

“A 300m walkway between Sec-51 of NMRC`s Aqua Line & Sec-52 of DMRC`s Blue Line was inaugurated today by Shri Durga Shanker Mishra (Secretary MoHUA). The walkway built by Noida Metro Rail Corporation will facilitate those traveling to Greater Noida from various parts of Delhi,” the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) tweeted.

“NMRC has built the walkway connecting Sector 51 of Aqua Line & Sector 52 of DMRC`s Blue Line. Keeping in mind the comfort of passengers, NMRC had also provided free solar-powered E-rickshaw services in this stretch to facilitate connectivity between the two metro rail networks,” DMRC said in another tweet.

Mumbai Metro, monorail to get vertical gardens on their pillars

Kanika Verma
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Mumbai Metro, monorail to get vertical gardens on their pillars

MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): After its plan to develop vertical gardens under 23 flyovers in the city, the Mumbai civic body will now join cities like Delhi and Bengaluru with its proposal to make vertical gardens on Metro and Monorail pillars, and the pillars of flyovers maintained by the Mumbai Metro Rail Development Authority (MMRDA).

Last year, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) proposed to beautify about 23 spaces under bridges in the city, along with making vertical gardens on its pillars. However, following the Himalaya bridge collapse, it dropped the plans to make vertical gardens on many old bridges, citing that this would cover any cracks that developed in the bridge and was hence dangerous.

However, a senior civic official from BMC said, “The purpose of this is to increase green cover on our polluted roads and beautify them.
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This is also making good use of the vertical space that is otherwise cement and concrete and hence not of any use.” A no-objection certificate will be required from MMRDA for the work.

BMC will first install rain durable sheets against the pillars, along with stands to hold the plant pots. The civic body’s garden department will carry out the work. A proposal for this project will be tabled before the general body meeting this Thursday.

NMRC begins free school for underprivileged kids In Pari Chowk metro station complex

Kanika Verma
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NMRC begins free school for underprivileged kids In Pari Chowk metro station complex

NOIDA (Metro Rail News): A special school for underprivileged children in Pari Chowk metro station complex in Greater Noida was inaugurated on August 17 by the Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) in collaboration with the Birla Institute of Management Technology. The school has been named as BIMTECH Vidya Kendra.

The free of cost school — BIMTECH Vidya Kendra — aims at providing basic and life skills education to children from poor families, especially belonging to the Banjara community and migrant laborers, the NMRC said.

“This initiative will also provide training in computer skills to young girls who have completed schooling/college and belong to poor families. This training will help in providing the necessary skills required to earn their livelihood in a respectable manner,” the NMRC said.

The school was inaugurated by NMRC Managing Director Alok Tandon along with BIMTECH Director Harivansh Chaturvedi, according to an official statement.

The special school will also have classes for women who were unable to pursue basic education. It said all the classes held at the BIMTECH Vidya Kendra are free of cost.

The special school also provides necessary books and stationery to students free of cost. The makeshift classes made of tin containers are air-conditioned and well equipped with desks, chairs, and blackboards, it added.

The NMRC said the school has provisions for holding smart classes and a well-equipped library with a collection of almost 1,000 books.

The teachers also are volunteers who have come forward for the noble cause after taking out time from their busy schedules.

DMRC’s Blue Line-NMRC’s Aqua Line interchange walkway inaugurated today

Narendra Shah
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DMRC’s Blue Line-NMRC’s Aqua Line interchange walkway inaugurated today

NOIDA (Metro Rail News): Good news for the commuters who travel from Blue line to Aqua line or vice versa, a 300m walkway between Sec-51 of NMRC’s Aqua Line and Sec-52 of DMRC’s Blue Line was inaugurated today by Durga Shanker Mishra, Secretary, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in presence of Alok Tandan, Managing Director of Noida Metro Rail Corporation, Dr. Mangu Singh, Managing Director of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, PD Upadhyay, ED/NMRC, Narendra Bhushan CEO  of Greater NOIDA Authority, Ms Kalpana Saxena, Commandant 49th Battalion of PAC and others officials.

Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) has built the walkway connecting Sector 51 of Aqua Line & Sector 52 of DMRC’s Blue Line. This will facilitate those traveling to Greater Noida from various parts of Delhi. Keeping in mind the comfort of passengers, NMRC had also provided free solar powered E–rickshaw services in this stretch to facilitate connectivity between the two metro rail networks.

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Durga Shanker Mishra, Secretary (MoHUA) integrated Walkway on August 18, 2019

Addressing the people, Durga Shanker Mishra, Secretary (MoHUA) said,

The Walkway has been built keeping Ease of Living in mind. It is covered from the top to save passengers from sunlight and rain & other elements. There is a separate pathway for pedestrians and a dedicated carriageway for solar powered E-Rickshaws.

Beautiful landscaping has been done along the Walkway to provide aesthetic appeal. It has space for Café/Vendor Zone as part of future planning where small stalls/cafes will be opened. NMRC will provide parking space close to the Walkway in near future

“Feeder buses plying from Sector 51 Metro station provide connectivity to areas in Greater Noida West & connect almost all the residential & commercial hubs in the nearby areas thus providing comfort & ease to citizens who live or work in those areas”, he added.

Mishra said that NOIDA Authority will help NMRC to make the Walkway more commuter friendly by providing free public convenience services in coming days. Sector 51 Metro station has a dedicated parking facility for approx 200 cars.

Shri Durga Shanker Mishra‘s Statement on twitter:-

On 9th March 2019, while visiting Noida Sector-52 Metro Station on DMRC’s Blue Line & Sector-51 Station on NMRC’s Aqua Line with MD-DMRC & ED-NMRC, we took some key decisions to offer seamless connectivity to commuters between NMRC & DMRC networks.

I had announced that we will develop an all-weather pedestrian pathway & deploy e-rickshaws between the two stations which will offer free of cost rides. I feel immensely proud that the 300 mtr long walkway announced 4 months back has been dedicated to the citizens today.

I was joined by Sh Alok Tandon, MD & Sh PD Upadhyay, ED, NMRC along with Sh Narendra Bhushan CEO Gr NOIDA & Ms Kalpana Saxena, Commandant 49th Bttln of PAC at the dedication ceremony.

The Walkway has been built keeping Ease of Living in mind. It is covered from the top to save passengers from sunlight and rain & other elements. There is a separate pathway for pedestrians and a dedicated carriageway for solar powered E-Rickshaws.

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Shri Durga Shankar Mishra, Secretary, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Govt. of India traveling through FREE e-Rickshaw Service

Feeder buses plying from Sector 51 Metro station provide connectivity to areas in Greater Noida West & connect almost all the residential & commercial hubs in the nearby areas thus providing comfort & ease to citizens who live or work in those areas.

Trains to Hi-Tec City will move faster in the next four to five days

Kanika Verma
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Trains to Hi-Tec City will move faster in the next four to five days

HYDERABAD (Metro Rail News): On Friday, Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) Managing Director N.V.S. Reddy said that trains towards Hi-Tec City station would move faster and with better frequency from Ameerpet/Jubilee Hills Check Post station within the next four to five days, once the safety certification was obtained.

“The HMR project is getting good traffic right from day one of commercial operations and we have just crossed the three lakh mark,” he said.

Mr. Reddy also informed that trial runs for the remaining 1.5 km stretch from Hi-Tec City to the terminal station at Raidurg (Mindspace junction) would also be taken up to make the entire Corridor Three from Nagole operational.

L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) has announced that Chief Electrical Inspector (CEIG), Government of India, for HMR, D.V.S. Raju, conducted the statutory inspection of the Overhead Electric Traction System (OETS) between Hi-Tec City and Raidurg stations on Friday.

“Energisation of OETS in this section will facilitate testing of reversal operation (upline to the downline and vice versa) beyond Hi-Tec City station. Further, completion of these trails beyond Hi-Tec City station is crucial to improve the frequency of trains between Ameerpet and Hi-Tec City and ease the peak hour rush in this section,” said Mr. Raju.

L&T MRH MD and CEO K.V.B. Reddy said, “It is an important milestone for Corridor 3.” He thanked the CEIG for inspecting the OETS.

Kiewit–Parsons joint venture wins $806m California light rail scheme

Kanika Verma
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Kiewit–Parsons joint venture wins $806m California light rail scheme

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (Metro Rail News): The team will build the first nine miles of the Foothill Gold Line, from Glendora to Pomona, with the option of a possible contract extension to the full 12.3-mile route, with stations in Claremont and Montclair, if additional funds are raised by September 2021.

The current contract approved by the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority Board includes light rail track installation, the construction of four stations: Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne and Pomona, relocation of the existing freight track and improvements at 40 crossings.

Some 16,000 jobs are expected to be created during construction, and $2.6bn will be added to the areas’ economic output.

Tim Sandoval, Pomona’s Mayor, said: “This team presented the best of both worlds; the top-ranked team in all technical categories and the lowest price based on the formula set out in the RFP for the base scope to Pomona and contract option to Montclair.”

Steve McFadden, Kiewit Infrastructure West’s area manager, said: “Kiewit and Parsons both enjoy a long-time relationship with the Construction Authority, having both worked with the agency since 1999 when we began design on phase one from Union Station to Pasadena.”

Construction on the project is due to begin in 2020 and be completed by 2025.

International Snacks Festival at Metro Rail stations from Aug 30

Kanika Verma
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International Snacks Festival at Metro Rail stations from Aug 30

HYDERABAD (Metro Rail News): Culture Language Indian Connections (CLIC), in association with HMR (Hyderabad Metro Rail), L&T Metro, Telangana Tourism and Department of Language & Culture, is organizing “International Snacks Festival” on August 30, 31 and September 1 at four Metro Stations at Uppal, Ameerpet, Hitech City, and MGBS.

Participants from over 10 Indian communities and eight international communities will be participating in the festival from 3 pm to 9 pm daily for the three days. There will also be a showcase of Cultural Program from different communities, including international participants from Ethiopia, Argentina, Spain, Sudan, Switzerland, South Korea, and China.

Addressing the media, CLIC Hon’ble Secretary Burra Venkatesham explained entire perspective about the festival. He said the festival in Metro was being organized for the first time in India with the same spirit as the International Sweet festival organized by CLIC every year during Sankranti festival.

He recalled with his experience that the festival is all about women empowerment and the event is only a reason to create bonding and bonhomie with various communities in one platform. The platform is also to encourage the home-makers to display and sell their home-made food products. HMR MD NVS Reddy explained as to how the metro station can become an epic center towards promoting Indian Culture and Heritage. He extended all support to the festival and said HMR and L& T Metro will offer the space and all infrastructural support to make the festival a grand success. Abhijit Bhattacharjee and Veena Reddy also spoke

Bullet train project hits land acquisition hurdle

Kanika Verma
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Bullet train project hits land acquisition hurdle

MAHARASHTRA (Metro Rail News): The Maharashtra government’s attempt to speed up the land acquisition process for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train, a pet project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is stuck from the past five months.

Acting on a request from the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), the government sought an exemption from the process of getting mandatory approvals from acquiring grazing land in Thane and Palghar, which comes in the alignment of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, on March 6. The request is still pending with governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao.

The NHSRCL needs over 1.4 acres (57 gunthas) of grazing land covering four-gram sabhas in Thane and Palghar districts. A few of them are not keen to give up grazing land for the project. “To deal with it, the NHRCL requested the state revenue department to give exemptions for the project in January,” said a senior revenue official requesting anonymity.

According to section 22A of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code (MLRC), the state is empowered to acquire grazing land for the public as well as private projects but needs prior approval of the gram sabhas as per Panchayats (Extension of the Scheduled Areas) or PESA Act that regulates the grazing land.

The regulation came into effect following an amendment made in section 22A of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code (MLRC) by the governor on May 9, 2017. The fifth schedule of the Constitution only empowers the governor to take such a decision.

“Exercising the powers conferred by the fifth schedule of the Constitution, the governor can exempt the bullet train project from obtaining mandatory approvals as a special case,” the revenue official said.

The revenue official further pointed at another amendment made in section 36A of the MLR Code that no prior sanction will be needed if the grazing land is purchased with mutual understanding for a vital government project.

The notification was issued under the fifth schedule of the Constitution on November 14, 2017. “The idea behind asking for exemption was to expedite the project, but the delay is defeating our purpose,” said another revenue official. Recently, the governor held a meeting to deliberate on the issue, but didn’t take any decision, said an official privy to the development.

Despite repeated attempts, there was no response on this issue from the governor’s office.

PM Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe laid the foundation stone for the ₹1.
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08 lakh crore (17 billion dollars) high-speed rail project on September 14, 2017, which will connect two cities — Mumbai (Maharashtra) and Ahmedabad (Gujarat). It will also be India’s first high-speed rail line.

More Vande Bharat Express trains soon

Kanika Verma
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More Vande Bharat Express trains soon

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Vande Bharat Express defines the changing aspirations of people in India, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day 2019 speech from Red Fort.

However, even as the Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express continues to register high occupancy, the production of Train 18 has come to a halt. This is due to a change in tender processes by Piyush Goyal-led Railway Ministry.

At present, Indian Railways is gearing up for the launch of second Vande Bharat Express, meanwhile, the process to bring in the next batches of the Train 18 trainsets has gone through a shift, according to a report.

Instead of procuring the next batch of Vande Bharat Express trainsets the same way as the first two trainsets, Piyush Goyal-led Railway Ministry has decided to go for standardizing the components that go into making the product.

According to the report, after meeting vendors as well as other industry players, the Research Design and Standard Organisation (RDSO) is preparing standards and specifications of the subsequent trainsets that are to be manufactured under Modi government’s ambitious Make in India program.

A senior ministry official was quoted in the report saying that once this process is complete, the tender will be floated, following which industry can participate as per the specifications laid out for the new Vande Bharat Express trainsets.

He also said that it is being ensured that the specifications do not end up favoring any one particular vendor.

In his Independence Day speech, PM Modi said that the citizens of India are no longer content with just a railway station or line. The thinking of the public has changed. Earlier, they were happy with merely an idea to set up a station, but now they ask- when will Vande Bharat Express come to my area, the minister said.

People of the country do not want only good railway stations or bus stands. Now, they ask when is a good airport coming, Modi added.

The second Vande Bharat Express or Train 18 is likely to run between Delhi and Katra. The train is expected to reduce the travel time between the two cities to just eight hours as against the current 12 hours.

KVB Reddy says L&T men are Builders of the Nation

Kanika Verma
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KVB Reddy says L&T men are Builders of the Nation

NAGOLE (Metro Rail News): Larsen & Toubro Metro Rail Hyderabad Limited (L&TMRHL) celebrated 73rd Independence Day with zeal and fervor here on Thursday.

KVB Reddy, MD & CEO, L&TMRHL hoisted the National Flag at the Hyderabad Metro Rail depot in Uppal and took the salute from the contingents of Hyderabad Metro Rail Security Force in an impressive parade. He was accompanied by senior officials from L&TMRHL and other consultants involved in the project.

Addressing Larsen &Toubro MRHL and HMR employees, KVB Reddy, stated, “On behalf of the L&T MRHL, we commemorate and pay homage to the memory of the martyrs and freedom fighters who fought for the independence of the country.

Celebrated with much splendor and enthusiasm across all states and union territories in India, Independence Day holds a special significance in our journey together as a nation.

L&T-sites are ‘Builders of the Nation’. We contribute meaningfully towards nation-building. L&TMRHL has made commendable strides in operations and maintenance of the Hyderabad Metro Rail. We appreciate and applaud the contribution of all our commuters, partners, consultants and vendors in this journey. I would also like to thank all the citizens of Hyderabad for patronizing the services of Hyderabad Metro Rail.”

Metro work in Kanpur to begin by October, services to start by 2021

Kanika Verma
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Metro work in Kanpur to begin by October, services to start by 2021

KANPUR (Metro Rail News): The dream of Kanpur Metro which has been under wraps for quite some time now is finally coming true. The metro network which is expected to bring tons of development opportunities to the city and provide people with a faster, more reliable means of transport, is finally becoming a reality!

Earlier it was reported that the Kanpur Metro has been given major NOCs from necessary departments and the plan was to begin work as soon as possible. According to new updates, the Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation (LMRC) which is also the driving force behind Kanpur metro has set August 19 as the date for floating the civil tenders. Hopefully, the construction work will follow suit and begin by October.

This news has us super excited because the beginning of metro work means that within a few years people of Kanpur would be able to avail the modern metro services. This will not only make our commute easy, but it would also provide seamless connectivity throughout the city.
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According to a report, Kumar Keshav the Managing Director of UPMRC has assured that basic structures of the station would be prepared by 2020.

As of now, two of the metro corridors have been confirmed. The first corridor will connect IIT Kanpur to Naubasta area, covering a stretch of 26 km. The second corridor will run from Agricultural University to Barra-8, with eight overall stations and 9 km in length.

Kanpur metro is not only expected to provide connectivity but also bring about an era of rounded development and growth for the city.

Rs 56,443-cr high-speed rail overtakes braked 30-yr-old Sabari project

Kanika Verma
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Rs 56,443-cr high-speed rail overtakes braked 30-yr-old Sabari project

KOCHI (Metro Rail News): The 530-km high-speed rail project through Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s Kannur district gets priority over the long-pending 111-km Sabarigiri rail project.

The Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd (KRDCL) formed after the Left Democratic Front came to power has relegated to back burner the Sabari project which was taken up about 30 years back.

Why the left government has ignored the Sabari project despite its huge financial viability is intriguing.

The high-speed rail is coming up in the sector where the Indian Railways has already been operating services for over half a century.

The new proposed train service would surely help the travelers as it would take only four hours to travel from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod against 12 hours taken now.

But the traveling cost would be very high and it remains to be seen how much patronage it would get from the common traveling public.

Global consultant SYSTRA of France has submitted a feasibility report which has been cleared by the KRDCL which has a central share of 49 percent.

At a time when the government is struggling to acquire land for widening the national highways, buying 1,226.45 hectares for the rail project would be no cakewalk.

The Ernakulam-Kayamkulam doubling work via Kottayam taken about a decade back is not complete yet due to the land acquisition problem.

Most importantly, the state which is neck-deep in financial crisis after the devastating flood of 2018, is planning to take up the Rs 56,443 crore project with 74 percent investment by private parties.

If implemented, Kerala would become the first state to execute a rail project with private participation.

Thirteen new stations envisaged are Thiruvananthapuram, Kochuveli, Kollam, Chengannur, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Kakkanad, Thrissur, Thrissur, Tirur, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod.

There would be a 2.5-km tunnel, a 12-km bridge along the 531.45-km route.

The average speed of the train with nine coaches would be 150 kmph with each compartment having a capacity of 75 seats on the lines of Train 18.

Two maintenance depots are planned at Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod while the ticketing would be similar to that adopted by Kochi Metro Rail Ltd. Optimum solar power would be used.

The Cabinet would give final shape to it only after evaluating it extensively to avoid any opposition in land acquisition.

The track would run 80 percent parallel to the existing route from Thiruvananthapuram to Thrissur and 90 percent from Tirur to Kasaragod.

A top official told The Covai Post on condition of anonymity that there would be about 150 km of elevated track to avoid land acquisition. Rakes and many related things would be imported to move with state-of-the-art technology.

There could be many firsts in the project, but everything would depend on clearance from the Centre.

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