Namo Bharat records highest ridership amidst Kanwar Yatra on Monday

Narendra Shah & Editorial Team
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Namo Bharat records highest ridership amidst Kanwar Yatra on Monday

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat observed its highest ridership on Monday (03rd August) with 1,49,922 commuters travelling through the corridor in a day amidst Kanwar Yatra. The previous record for highest ridership was observed on 8th June this year, with more than 1.25 lakh commuters travelling through the corridor for the first time.

The major reason for this sudden upsurge in the ridership was the Kanwar Yatra, where travellers choose the Namo Bharat as it offers a safe and convenient transport during high restrictions on roads to counter excessive crowds. The route is also a major link between Delhi and Haridwar, which at this time is mostly crowded due to a large number of devotees travelling to Haridwar. The sudden high movement encouraged people to use the Namo Bharat as an alternative to the congested traffic movement.

52 Additional Daily Trips 

National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) informed that between 30th July and 14th August, they will operate 52 additional daily trips. This was planned to cater the high volume of commuters travelling in the route during the Kanwar Yatra. They had made all the necessary security and logistics arrangements beforehand in response to the expected high footfall during the Kanwar Yatra.

The trains used to operate at a frequency of 10 minutes before the introduction of additional trips. During this time, however, the trains will run at a frequency of 8 minutes because of the incorporation of additional trips. 

About Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat

The Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat via Ghaziabad connects Sarai Kale Khan station in Delhi with Modipuram station in Meerut. The project is India’s first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), with a semi-high speed train network running at 180 kmph. The Namo Bharat project was introduced to decongest the National Capital Region and improve its connectivity with its satellite cities. 

Read this to know more about Namo Bharat expansion projects: Namo Bharat RRTS Expansion: NCRTC submitted DPRs of 4 corridors 

Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail: Vadodara Bullet Train Station enters final Structural Phase as steel erection begins 

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Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail: Vadodara Bullet Train Station enters final Structural Phase as steel erection begins 

VADODARA (Metro Rail News): The construction of the Vadodara Bullet Train Station has entered its final structural phase. Slab casting across all major levels is now complete. The project has moved to erecting structural steel, bringing the station closer to completion. The station will be an important interchange on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor. It will connect the bullet train network with Indian Railways and local public transport.

Major construction milestone achieved

The National High-Speed Rail project has completed slab casting at the concourse, track, and platform levels of the Vadodara Bullet Train Station. Construction teams have started erecting structural steel, marking another key milestone in the station’s development. The station is being built above Platform No. 7 of Vadodara railway station, near Pandya Bridge. This location allows passengers to transfer directly between high-speed rail services and the conventional railway network without leaving the station complex.

Designed for seamless connectivity

The location of the station has been chosen to improve connections across the city. Once operational, passengers will have easy access to:

  • Indian Railways’ Vadodara station  
  • Western Railway services  
  • City bus services  
  • Interstate bus depot  
  • Dedicated pick-up and drop-off areas  

The project also includes separate parking spaces for cars, buses, and auto-rickshaws to ease passenger movement around the station.

Design inspired by Vadodara’s identity

The station’s design draws inspiration from the Banyan tree, which has strong historical and cultural ties to Vadodara. The shape of the roof and overall design reflect the tree’s appearance. Inside the station, designers have planned large open areas with natural lighting and skylights to create a brighter environment for passengers.

Passenger facilities

The station will offer several amenities aimed at improving passenger comfort, including:

  • Waiting lounges  
  • Retail spaces  
  • Restrooms  
  • Baby care rooms  
  • Dedicated parking areas  
  • Separate pick-up and drop-off zones for different modes of transport  

Construction progress

Construction has achieved another key milestone with the completion of slab casting at the concourse, track, and platform levels. Project teams have now started erecting structural steel, marking the next major stage in building the station’s superstructure.

Also Read: Indian Railways strengthens Haldia Port connectivity with 18 projects covering 2,455 km

Indian Railways strengthens Haldia Port connectivity with 18 projects covering 2,455 km

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Indian Railways strengthens Haldia Port connectivity with 18 projects covering 2,455 km

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Indian Railways is developing 18 projects spanning 2,455 km to improve rail links for freight movement to Haldia Port in West Bengal. The aim is to boost cargo handling and logistics efficiency at one of India’s key eastern ports.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared the details in a written reply to a Rajya Sabha question by MP Biswajit Sinha.

Among these, eight projects worth ₹25,106 crore have been sanctioned, Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) has been completed for another eight projects and two projects are currently under survey for DPR preparation.

The minister noted that after DPR preparation, project sanction needs consultations with state governments and approvals from bodies such as NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Finance. Because the process is continuous, exact timelines cannot be fixed.

Total projects for improving the connectivity to Haldia Port

  1. Sanctioned Projects 
ProjectLengthSanctioned amount
Sonnagar-Andal 3rd & 4th Line375km13,606cr
Bhagalpur-Dumka-Rampurhat Doubling177km3,169cr
Santragachi-Kharagpur 4th Line111km2,905cr
Aluabari Road-New Jalpaiguri 3rd & 4th Line57km1,786cr
Sainthia-Pakur 4th Line81km1,569cr
Murarai-Barharwa 3rd Line49km978cr
Chandanpur-Shaktigarh 4th Line43km750cr
Pakur-Gumani 4th Line18km343cr
Total- ₹25,106 crore

Sonnagar-Andal 3rd & 4th line Land acquisition is mostly completed except forest diversion of 28 hectares. Works have been taken up for forest diversion, earthwork, bridges, ROBs, RUBs and station buildings.

  1. DPR Prepared
DPR preparedLength
New Jalpaiguri-Kamakhya 3rd & 4th Line445km
Kharagpur-Jharsuguda (Bagdehi) 4th Line367km
Kharagpur-Bhadrak (Ranitlal) 4th Line173km
Kumedpur-Aluabari 3rd & 4th Line129km
Barharwa-Bhagalpur 3rd & 4th Line128km
Malda Town-Kumedpur 3rd & 4th Line62km
Gumani-Malda 3rd & 4th Line59km
Andal-Sainthia 3rd & 4th Line73km
  1. Survey ongoing
Survey ongoing ProjectLength
Khanna-Sainthia 3rd Line (Final Location Survey sanctioned)84km
Panskura-Tamluk 3rd & 4th Line (Field Survey taken up)24km

In addition to the Haldia Port connectivity works, 1,187 km of other railway projects are currently under execution across West Bengal. The total budget allocation for infrastructure projects and safety works in West Bengal 2026-2027 is ₹14,205 Cr. more than three times compared to 2009-2014, which was ₹4,380 crore per year.

As on April 2026, 63 projects including 14 New Lines, 04 Gauge Conversions and 45 Doubling projects, covering a total length of 5,148 Km, costing ₹83,433 crore, falling fully/partly in West Bengal are sanctioned.

Also Read: Indian Railways loaded freight weighing equivalent to ~2,105 ‘Statue of Unity’ in July 2026

Indian Railways loaded freight weighing equivalent to ~2,105 ‘Statue of Unity’ in July 2026

Narendra Shah & Editorial Team
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Indian Railways loaded freight weighing equivalent to ~2,105 ‘Statue of Unity’ in July 2026

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Indian Railways is bringing India closer than ever before. The Ministry of Railways issued a press release on Monday (03rd August) informing that the railway sector showed a 9% growth in carrying freight in July 2026 compared to that of July 2025. Besides this remarkable achievement, the passenger strength across the Indian Railways also showed a steady growth of more than 1.15 crore commuters. The weight of freight loading in July 2026 is approximately 141.3 million tonnes for comparison the weight of the Statute of Unity is around 67 thousand tonnes.

In July 2026, Indian Railways carried approximately 141.3 million tonnes of freight which shows a significant increase from 129.7 million tonnes in July 2026. Moreover, during the same period the passenger mobility also increased from 62.19 crore to 63.35 crore. This shows a healthy growth in railways freight loading and passenger mobility capacity strengthening the movement of goods and people and an overall growth of the economy.

 Furthermore, the rise in freight load resulted in an overall increase of ₹1,137 crores in the Indian railways’ freight revenue for the month compared to last year. This registered a staggering 8% growth in freight revenue. The growth was particularly higher in the East Central Railway and Eastern Railway with approximately 33% growth followed by the West Central Railway with 23% growth and the South Eastern Railway with 10.33% growth.

Among the goods loaded, iron ore loading increased by over 22%, coal and food grains by almost 11.5%, and fertilizers by 12%. The high mobility reflects a collective growth in India and an overall boost for the economy. The role of Indian Railways is significant in bringing Indian states closer, improving connectivity and strengthening the economy.

A Steady Increase in freight loading 

The ministry of railways recently presented the data of freight loading since 2014 in a written report in Rajya Sabha. The data is represented through the table below:

YEARFREIGHT LOADING (Million Tonnes)
2014-151098
2015-161104
2016-171109
2017-181162
2018-191223
2019-201210
2020-211233
2021-221418
2022-231512
2023-241591
2024-251617
2025-261670

Also Read: Delhi Metro’s outstanding JICA loan at ₹35,828 cr; DMRC has repaid nearly ₹9,948 cr from operations 

Texmaco Rail Q1 FY27 : Net Profit jumps 67% to ₹50 Cr despite revenue drop to 16.9%

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Texmaco Rail Q1 FY27 : Net Profit jumps 67% to ₹50 Cr despite revenue drop to 16.9%

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Texmaco Rail & Engineering, a leading Indian heavy engineering firm that makes railway freight wagons, coaches, locomotives and metro components, reported strong Q1 FY27 results on 3 August 2026.

Consolidated net profit rose 67% year-on-year to ₹50.04 crore, up from ₹29.99 crore in Q1 FY26. The gain came mainly from sharp cost cuts and better operating efficiency.

Operational revenue fell 16.9% to ₹756.68 crore (from ₹910.60 crore). Total income dropped 15.6% to ₹775.21 crore, even though other income rose to ₹18.53 crore.

Total expenses declined to ₹737.10 crore from ₹881.26 crore. This was primarily driven by raw material expenses falling to ₹555.27 crore from ₹760.76 crore. The Freight Car Division recorded a 28.37% fall in revenue to ₹522.12 crore down from ₹728.96 crore. Infra-Rail & Green Energy revenue dropped to ₹59.87 crore from ₹82.84 crore.

Both divisions’ wagon manufacturing and rail infrastructure experienced lower sales compared to last year.Despite the revenue dip, tighter cost control lifted profitability significantly.

Also Read: Delhi Metro’s outstanding JICA loan at ₹35,828 cr; DMRC has repaid nearly ₹9,948 cr from operations 

Delhi Metro’s outstanding JICA loan at ₹35,828 cr; DMRC has repaid nearly ₹9,948 cr from operations 

Narendra Shah & Editorial Team
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Delhi Metro’s outstanding JICA loan at ₹35,828 cr; DMRC has repaid nearly ₹9,948 cr from operations 

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The outstanding principal loan of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) was ₹35,828 crore as of June 2026, as reported by the Union Government to the Rajya Sabha. The government also stated that DMRC has repaid ₹9,948.09 crore from its operational revenue over the years. Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu shared these figures in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.  

Outstanding JICA loan remains above ₹35,000

Delhi Metro has depended on long-term funding from JICA to develop several phases of its network. The outstanding principal loan payable by DMRC was ₹35,828 crore in June 2026 at the current exchange rate. The minister indicated that the sanction orders for Delhi Metro projects already include plans for loan repayment, making sure the repayment process is part of the project’s financial structure.  

Centre and Delhi Government continue financial support  

The government also provided details about financial support given over the last five years.  

Funding released during the last five years:  

  • Central Government: ₹6,604.37 crore  
  • Delhi Government: ₹6,155.44 crore

The funds include equity, grants, and subordinate debt for various phases of the Delhi Metro network’s implementation.  

DMRC repaying loan through operational revenue

The minister informed Parliament that DMRC has repaid nearly ₹9,948.09 crore to JICA using its operational revenue. He also mentioned that the corporation is strengthening its finances by increasing non-fare box revenue through commercial activities, which helps keep fares affordable for commuters.  

Fare revision follows existing law

In response to questions about Metro fares, Tokhan Sahu said fare setting is done according to the Metro Railways (Operation and Maintenance) Act, 2002. He added that commuter affordability is a crucial factor in fare revisions. Meanwhile, DMRC continues to boost revenue from advertising, property development, and other commercial sources to lessen its reliance on fare income.

Also Read: Metro-Like Experience on Roads: PCMC Approves ₹85 Lakh for Maharashtra’s first e-RTS DPR 

Metro-Like Experience on Roads: PCMC Approves ₹85 Lakh for Maharashtra’s first e-RTS DPR 

Narendra Shah & Editorial Team
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Metro-Like Experience on Roads: PCMC Approves ₹85 Lakh for Maharashtra’s first e-RTS DPR 

Maharashtra (Metro Rail News): There is good news for commuters in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Maharashtra. The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has approved ₹85 lakh for the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Maharashtra’s first Electric Rapid Transit System (e-RTS ) pilot project.

The decision followed a presentation made to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the PCMC administration.

Pilot Corridor

The 17-km pilot corridor will run from Godown Chowk to Wakad. The key stops are:

  • Godown Chowk
  • Kudalwadi Chowk
  • Auto Cluster
  • Kalewadi Phata
  • Jagtap Dairy Chowk
  • Wakad

The proposed route will improve connectivity across Moshi, Chikhali, Talawade, Kiwale, Ravet, Wakad and major roads such as the Pune–Nashik Highway, Telco Road, Old Mumbai-Pune Highway, Aundh-Ravet BRT and Mumbai-Bangalore Bypass. It aims to offer faster, greener and more reliable public transport while reducing traffic congestion.

Why e-RTS ?

Electric Rapid Transit System (e-RTS ) is a 100% electric and eco-friendly system that provides a metro-like travel experience on roads. Each vehicle can carry up to 240 passengers and features low-floor boarding for universal access, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi and other premium amenities. It provides quiet, safe and comfortable travel with low operating costs and a service life of more than 20 years.

The project is expected to deliver a modern, efficient and passenger-friendly public transport option for the growing areas of Pimpri-Chinchwad.

Also Read: Goa Water Metro: DPR preparation begins, 9 routes selected for 1st phase

Goa Water Metro: DPR preparation begins, 9 routes selected for 1st phase

Narendra Shah & Editorial Team
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Goa Water Metro: DPR preparation begins, 9 routes selected for 1st phase

PANAJI (Metro Rail News): River Navigation Department (RND) Minister of Goa, Mr. Subhash Phal Dessai announced that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed Goa Water Metro project will be completed within the next four months.

The State Government aims to secure 100% Central funding for the project. The briefing was also attended by Shri Loknath Behera (former IPS officer), Managing Director of Kochi Metro Rail Ltd. (KMRL).

The Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) will be officially responsible for the DPR for the Goa Water Metro Project.

The DPR will provide a complete roadmap covering route planning, project cost estimates, long-term implementation strategy, tourism potential and the impact on traffic management.

The first phase will cover nine river connectivity routes. The proposed locations identified in the feasibility report include Panaji, Betim, Divar, Chodan, Vanshi, Sarmanas, Narve, Aldona, Cortalim, Madkai, Adpai and Durbhat.

The DPR will provide a complete roadmap covering route planning, project cost estimates, long-term implementation strategy, tourism potential and the impact on traffic management.

Speaking at the press briefing, Minister Subhash Phal Dessai said, “We have selected nine routes in Goa, and the DPR will be placed before the government within the next four months. Looking at the steady work carried out by the State, the Centre has given Goa priority and included it in the first phase. The River Navigation Department is fully committed to ensuring the timely execution of the project.”

Loknath Behera noted that the Water Metro will help reduce pressure on Goa’s roads by offering an alternative mode of transport. It is expected to ease traffic congestion, improve connectivity, boost tourism and create new employment opportunities in coastal and riverine areas.

Also Read: South East Central Railway floats ₹601.90 cr EPC tender for Paradol-Nagpur Road Rail Link in Chhattisgarh

South East Central Railway floats ₹601.90 cr EPC tender for Paradol-Nagpur Road Rail Link in Chhattisgarh

Narendra Shah & Editorial Team
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South East Central Railway floats ₹601.90 cr EPC tender for Paradol-Nagpur Road Rail Link in Chhattisgarh

CHHATTISGARH (Metro Rail News): South East Central Railway (SECR) has invited bids for the construction of a new broad gauge single railway line in Chhattisgarh under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode. The contract has an estimated value of ₹601.90 crore and forms part of an important railway infrastructure project aimed at improving connectivity in the region.

The project includes the construction of a new railway line from Paradol Takeoff Point to Nagpur Road Station, along with the slewing of a section of the existing Boridand-Chirmiri railway line.

Tender details 

Information Details
Tender NumberCAO-C-BSP-26-27-15
Estimated Cost₹601.90 crore
Earnest Money Deposit (EMD)₹12.04 crore
Completion Period730 days
First Pre-bid Meeting24 August 2026, 4:00 PM
Second Pre-bid Meeting16 September 2026, 4:00 PM
Tender Closing Date27 November 2026, 3:00 PM
Bid Validity 180 days

Scope of work

New Broad Gauge Single Line of railway project comprising the section commencing from Paradol Takeoff Point (km 947.257) To Nagpur Road Station ( Connecting Point-km:964.820) and slewing Of existing Boridand-Chirmiri Line from km:946.640 To km: 947.257 in the state of Chhattisgarh in the South East Central Railway Zone in Epc mode. 

About the project

The project aims to strengthen railway connectivity in Chhattisgarh by creating a new broad gauge rail link and improving the existing railway infrastructure. The new alignment will provide better operational efficiency, improve train movement and support future growth in passenger and freight traffic. The project will also enhance connectivity within the South East Central Railway network and contribute to regional economic development by improving access to important industrial and mining areas.

Also Read: South East Central Railway invites ₹455.02 cr EPC tender for new rail line in Chhattisgarh

Indian Railways’ Kavach Commissioning Remains Pending Despite 2020 Approval

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Indian Railways’ Kavach Commissioning Remains Pending Despite 2020 Approval

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Indian Railways continues the phased implementation of its indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, Kavach, across the network. The system received formal approval in 2020, with field trials beginning in 2016.

This update came during a discussion in the Lok Sabha between Union Railway Minister Shri. Ashwini Vaishnaw and Tamil Nadu MP Shri D. Ravi Kumar. Shri Kumar had enquired details on the rollout, including a zone-wise status with focus on the Southern Zone. No complete zone-wise progress report has been shared so far.

Kavach 4.0 has been successfully commissioned mainly on high-density corridors, particularly sections of the Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Howrah routes (around 2,569 route km). Earlier, Kavach version 3.2 was deployed on about 1,465 route km of the South Central Railway. Kavch 4.0 was approved by RDSO on 16, July 2024.

What is Kavach?

Kavach is India’s indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection system. It helps loco pilots keep trains within prescribed speed limits by automatically applying brakes if the pilot does not respond in time. It also supports safer operations in poor visibility and bad weather.

Current progress and challenges

According to officials the Kavach system requires RFID tags along the tracks, optical fibre cables, telecom towers, equipment at stations and block sections, and fitment on locomotives. These technical requirements make the installation complex and time-consuming.

Another major hurdle is the training programmes. Specialized training programmes on Kavach are being conducted at centralized training institutes of Indian Railways. By now more than 94,000 technicians, operators and engineers have been trained on Kavach technology. This includes about 57,000 Loco Pilots & Assistant Loco Pilots. 

Current progress of installation of Kavach 4.0 on each route

SectionProgress (Rkm)
Delhi-Mumbai route:1,344 Rkm
Tilak Bridge – Junction cabin – Palwal – Mathura –Nagda –Vadodra-Virar section (Except Mangalmhudi – Panchpipliya) [Passes through Rajasthan also]1248
Vadodara – Ahmedabad section96
Delhi–Howrah route:1,146 Rkm
Chipyana – Tundla – Kanpur – Subedarganj section563
Kanpur – Lucknow section71
DDU(FOC)-Bhabua Road section50
Sasaram – Pheser section43
Gaya – Sarmatarn- Nimiaghat section159
Chota Ambana – Bardhaman – Howrah section260

(from ministry’s written reply)

Safety Improvements

Despite the gradual rollout, the Ministry has reported a sharp drop in consequential train accidents. The number fell from 135 in 2014-15 to 16 in 2025-26 — an overall reduction of about 88%. In the current financial year (up to June 2026), only two such accidents were recorded.

image 1

The Ministry continues to prioritise Kavach expansion on key corridors while addressing the technical and logistical challenges of nationwide deployment.

Also Read: Chennai Metro records highest-ever monthly ridership of 1.06 cr 

Chennai Metro records highest-ever monthly ridership of 1.06 cr 

Narendra Shah & Editorial Team
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Chennai Metro records highest-ever monthly ridership of 1.06 cr 

CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) reported its highest monthly ridership ever in July 2026, with over 1.06 crore passenger journeys. The network also saw an average daily ridership of 3.42 lakh, the second-highest since commercial operations started.  

The latest figures indicate steady growth in passenger numbers. But, the Metro still operates well below the ridership numbers expected in its Detailed Project Report (DPR).  

Chennai Metro hits new monthly ridership milestone

According to Chennai Metro Rail, 1,06,23,764 passengers used the network in July 2026, making it the highest monthly ridership recorded so far. The average daily ridership for the month reached 3,42,702 passengers. This strong performance shows a steady rise in Metro usage across the city.  

  • Total ridership in July 2026: 1,06,23,764 passengers  
  • Average daily ridership: 3,42,702 passengers  
  • Second-highest daily average since operations began  
  • Previous monthly record: 1,04,68,732 passengers in July 2025  
  • Highest-ever daily average: 3,43,503 passengers in February 2026  

Ridership remains below DPR projections  

Despite the record numbers, Chennai Metro is still carrying far fewer passengers than originally planned. In response to a question from AIADMK Rajya Sabha MP Dhanapal, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu reported to Parliament that the 54 km Chennai Metro Phase I and Phase I Extension have been running since February 2019 and March 2022, respectively. The project cost ₹22,149.92 crore.  

According to the Ministry, the Detailed Project Report predicted a daily ridership of 15.69 lakh passengers in 2026 for the operational corridors. But, the Metro is currently seeing an actual average daily ridership of around 3.14 lakh passengers, which is only about 20% of the expected level.  

Project Timeline 

  • February 2019: Chennai Metro Phase I became operational.  
  • March 2022: Phase I Extension opened for passenger services.  
  • July 2025: Monthly ridership reached a record 1.04 crore passengers.  
  • July 2026: Monthly ridership crossed 1.06 crore for the first time.

Also Read: MoPSW Draws Up National Water Metro Guidelines: 18 Locations Identified Across Country

MoPSW Draws Up National Water Metro Guidelines: 18 Locations Identified Across Country

Narendra Shah & Editorial Team
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MoPSW Draws Up National Water Metro Guidelines: 18 Locations Identified Across Country

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) is preparing the National Water Metro Guidelines, 2026. These guidelines will help plan, build and run eco-friendly water-based public transport systems across the country. They will also set safety standards and promote clean travel on water.

The new guidelines will cover zero and low-emission technology, standard rules, financing options, environmental safety and smooth coordination between different transport modes.

The Inland Waterways Authority of India, working under the Ministry, has started feasibility studies for Urban Water Metro systems at 18 locations. Studies for 15 of these places are already complete.

The locations identified for feasibility study

Ayodhya, Dhubri, Goa, Guwahati, Kollam, Kolkata, Prayagraj, Patna, Srinagar, Varanasi, Mumbai, Vasai, Mangalore (Gurupura River), Gandhinagar-Ahmedabad (Sabarmati River), Alleppey, Lakshadweep Islands and Andaman & Nicobar Islands are the locations mentioned for the feasibility study in the MoPSW press release dated 21 February 2025. These locations cover 12 states in India.

Kochi  Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has been appointed to carry out the feasibility study.

These studies check if the project is technically possible, what infrastructure is needed, how operations will work and how useful a water-based public transport system can be.

Four hybrid electric vessels are now running in Varanasi, Ayodhya, Patna and Kolkata. In addition, one Hydrogen Fuel Cell vessel has been deployed in Varanasi under other Ministry initiatives, mentioned in the official public release of MoPSW on 31 July , 2026.

Also Read: South East Central Railway invites ₹455.02 cr EPC tender for new rail line in Chhattisgarh

Kochi Metro observes highest operating profit in FY 2025-26

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Kochi Metro observes highest operating profit in FY 2025-26

KOCHI (Metro Rail News): Continuing its financial growth, Kochi metro has recorded an operation profit for yet another year. In the financial year 2025-26, it registered an operating profit of ₹52.64 crore. A major highlight was a significant share of this amount, around 34%, coming from the non-fare box revenue sources depicting a diverse revenue model of the Kochi metro system.

In 2025-26, Kochi metro earned a total revenue of ₹224.65 crore against the expenses of around ₹172 crore. This resulted in an operating profit of ₹52.64 crore. With this achievement, the total net loss of Kochi metro reduced to 352.49 crore in 2025-26 from 430.50 crore in 2024-25.

Last year, the annual daily ridership of Kochi metro crossed over 1 lakh passengers, marking another major milestone. The rise in ridership led to an increase in the fare box revenue. 

Kochi Metro’s Operating Profit

image

Kochi Metro’s Non-Fare Box Revenue

The share of non-fare box revenue in Kochi metro’s total revenue was around 34%, amounting to ₹76.33 crore. Recently, Shri Tokhan Sahu described the major sources of the Kochi metro system through a written report in Lok Sabha:

The major initiatives undertaken [to enhance Kochi metro’s financial sustainability] includes the following [non-fare box revenue sources]:

• Semi-Naming Rights / Co-Branding of Metro Stations

• Advertisement Rights (Train, Pillar & Station)

• Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) Leasing

• Allied Infrastructure & Parking Facilities

• Short-Term Campaigns, Sponsorships & Shoots

• Rental Income from Commercial & Office Spaces

• Land Monetization

• Development of link bridges

• Operation of feeder service such as Autos & Buses

• Licensing of space for Telecom Tower

• Licensing of space for EV Charging Stations

Also Read: DMRC submits DPR of Thiruvananthapuram Metro Project

South East Central Railway invites ₹455.02 cr EPC tender for new rail line in Chhattisgarh

Narendra Shah & Editorial Team
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South East Central Railway invites ₹455.02 cr EPC tender for new rail line in Chhattisgarh

CHHATTISGARH (Metro Rail News): South East Central Railway (SECR) has invited bids for the construction of a section of the Dallirajhara-Rowghat-Jagdalpur New Railway Line in Chhattisgarh. The Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract has an estimated value of ₹455.02 crore and covers a nearly 30-km stretch between Kurkanar and Bhanpuri. “

Tender details

Information  Details
Tender Number CAO-C-BSP-26-27-14
Estimated Cost₹455.02 crore
Earnest Money Deposit (EMD)₹9.10 crore
Completion Period730 days
First Pre-bid Meeting24 August 2026, 11:30 AM
Bid Validity180 days

Scope of work

Engineering Procurement and construction (EPC) contract for construction of New Railway line from Rowghat – Jagdalpur(140Kms) Package- I from Ch 12+700 to 42+600 from Kurkanar to Bhanpuri Excluding Kurkanar station and including Bhanpuri Station In connection of Dallirajhara – Rowghat – Jagdalpur New railway line in the state of Chhattisgarh. 

About the project

The Dallirajhara-Rowghat-Jagdalpur New Railway Line is an important railway infrastructure project in Chhattisgarh. The project aims to improve rail connectivity between the mineral-rich Bastar region and the state’s railway network. The new line will connect Dallirajhara, Rowghat, and Jagdalpur, making passenger and freight transportation faster and more efficient.

Also Read: Maharashtra Railway Infrastructure gets major boost : New lines, doubling existing tracks, and increasing overall capacity

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