New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has flagged-off the Delhi-Faridabad Metro Line that would allow hassle free travel for around two lakh daily commuters between the national capital and the industrial hub in Haryana.
The extension of the Delhi Metro connects Badarpur to Escorts Mujesar in Faridabad.
The total cost of the project from Badarpur to Escorts Mujesar is nearly Rs. 2,500 crore. Out of this, Rs. 1,557 crore was borne by the Haryana Government, the Centre contributed Rs. 537 crore, while the Delhi Metro provided Rs. 400 crore.
All these are elevated and located on either side of the Delhi-Mathura Road (NH-2).
“The nine-station metro corridor which was 95 per cent indigenously built will provide people a safe, affordable, quick, comfortable, reliable, environment-friendly and sustainable transport facility,” a Haryana government spokesperson said.
Haryana Chief Minister ML Khattar, addressing a press conference on Saturday, had thanked the Prime Minister for “gifting” the Metro service which would take the city to “another level of progress” with better connectivity with other NCR towns.
He had also said that the Prime Minister would be announcing the go-ahead for connecting Gurgaon with Faridabad by Metro.
Nagpur (Metro Rail News): Nagpur Metro Phase 1 is going to witness major advancement as Indora Square Metro station of Line 1 is expected to become operational soon as Janak Kumar Garg, The Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) has successfully conducted the critical safety inspection on Indora Square Metro Station on 26 November.
The inspection of the Indora square metro station primarily focused on safety compliance of the station. However, the report stated some major drawbacks that require urgent attention.
Nagpur Metro Phase 1
Nagpur Metro is an Urban Mass Rapid Transit system (MRTS) managed by Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (MahaMetro).
The Phase 1 of Nagpur Metro spans 38.215 km consisting of 2 corridors. On March 8, 2019 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first section of Phase 1 from Khapri to Sitabuldi.
Afcons had built the first ever Tema-Mpakadan standard gauge longest railway line over the Volta River in Ghana, a West African country. The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, commissioned this line last week. The project included a bridge over the Volta River, Ghana’s longest railway bridge, and two rail head facilities among others.
About Tema-Mpakadan project:
Tema-Mpakadan railway project is 100 Km long with 7 passenger stations. Additionally, the project features a 300 m bridge over the Volta River with two head facilities and 4 rail bridges. The project also consists of 11 road under bridges and 22 road over bridges.
The project cost is US$447 million Approx. It was funded by Exim Bank Credit and executed by Afcons Infrastructure Limited.
Comments from Authorities
Mr S Paramasivan, Managing Director, Afcons said “We are proud to have executed the largest railway project in Ghana. This project will play a pivotal role in revamping and modernizing the country’s railway infrastructure. The construction of a bridge over Volta River is a classic example of extreme engineering,”
On this occasion, President Akufo-Addo, said, “Today, we gather to celebrate the completion of the Tema-Mpakadan railway line. A vital component of Ghana’s first multimodal transport system, to drive the economic growth of our nation. This 100-kilometre railway line complements a visionary transport system that integrates rail, road, and inland water transport, connecting Tema-Port to Buipe Port via the Volta Lake”
The Impact of the Tema-Mpakadan Railway Project:
The project is important for renovating and modernizing the country’s railway infrastructure with setting a classic example of extreme engineering. This multimodal transport system will also be responsible for the economic growth of the country Ghana. It was completed with the vision of efficiency, reduction in traffic congestion, long-distance freight and passenger movement and with accessible mobility which includes integrated rail, road, and inland water transport, connecting Tema-Port to Buipe Port through the Volta Lake.”
Metro Rail News: Md of NHSRCL, Shri Vivek Kumar Gupta examined the track construction base (TCB) and under construction Bilimora Bullet Train Station in Navsari, also the ADIT and Shilphata tunnel section of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-speed Rail project.
Purpose of MD’s visit to Bilimora station of Bullet Train project:
His visit concentrated on evaluating progress and observing the quality and promptness of India’s first bullet train. He also discussed the challenges faced by the team and ensured the timely completion without compromising the quality.
The ADIT and Shilphata tunnel sections are the critical components of the high-speed rail project and are the engineering marvels that need attentive execution. He also assured the safety, accuracy, and global standard of the tunnel section.
Promise of excellence:
The MD also praised the team for their efforts and repeated NHSRCL’s promise of delivering a world-class project.
Indore ( Metro Rail News): Madhya Pradesh Rail Corporation Ltd. (MPMRCL) received bids from 6 construction firms (2 in a consortium) for the Indore Metro’s Yellow Line underground section under Package IN-05R.
SCOPE OF PACKAGE IN-05R
Package IN-05R includes the construction of twin tunnels connecting a ramp east of Indore railway station with a ramp west of Indore’s Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport covering 8.626 Km long and 7 underground stations at Indore Railway Station, Rajwada, Chota Ganpati, Bada Ganpati, Ramchandra Nagar, BSF / Kalani Nagar, and Airport.
Package In-05R stands as the only underground package for the Indore Metro Phase 1 project which covers a total length of 33.53 km. The appointed contractor will be required to deploy 4 TBMs for constructing twin tunnels.
The eastern side of Package IN-05R will be joined with Package IN-04 (under construction) Whereas the western side will be joined with Package IN-03 (under construction).
MPMRCL originally floated tenders in February 2024 for package IN-05 and then cancelled and re-floated tenders for the same package, package IN-05R, at the cost of RS. 2550 crore with a 4-year deadline.
Map Depicting route and stations in the Indore Metro
(Metro Rail News):Another progress has been waiting as the Indian Railway is planning to conduct the trials for its first hydrogen-powered trains in December 2024 on the Jind- Sonipat route in Haryana, covering a distance of 90 kilometres.
About Hydrogen-powered trains:
The first hydrogen train was manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory, situated in Tamil Nadu.
The trains have been designed with an operational speed of 140 Km\hr.
The fuel used in Hydrogen-powered trains is a combination of hydrogen and oxygen cells that produce electricity, only with the emission of water vapour.
Aim behind hydrogen trains
The hydrogen trains align with Indian Railways’ vision of achieving net-zero emissions by the end of 2030.
This will make India stand with other countries like Germany, Sweden, and China, which are already using hydrogen train technology.
Other contract:
Indian Railways has awarded a project to develop ground infrastructure and retrofit hydrogen fuel cells in existing DEMU (Diesel Electric Multiple Unit) rakes. The pilot project is estimated at Rs. 111.83 crore.
Future Prospects:
The railway network is likely to introduce 35 more hydrogen-powered trains by 2025 if the trials are successful.
Kolkata ( Metro Rail News): The Kolkata Metro has been progressing rapidly as on 19 November, Shri P Uday Kumar Reddy, General Manager of Metro Railway Kolkata, inspected the under-construction Victoria Memorial Station of Purple Line’s section spanning 7.55 km from Majerhat to Esplanade.
The general manager was accompanied by senior officials of Metro Railway and Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) throughout the inspection.
Shri P Uday Kumar Reddy also inspected the model room at Victoria station site, progress of viaduct launching as well as station construction work of Beleghata to Salt Lake Sector V section of Orange Line and viaduct work near Bagjola Canal, New Town Depot.
Kolkata Metro’s Purple Line
Operation route: Currently, The Kolkata Metro’s 7.75 km section from Joka to Majerhat is operational with 7 stations.
Stations:
Joka, Thakurpukur, Sakherbazar, Behala Chowrasta, Behala Bazar, Taratala, and Majerhat
Under-construction route: The under-construction route of Purple Line spans 7.55 km between Majerhat and Esplanade with 5 stations.
Stations :
Mominpur, Kidderpore, Victoria Memorial, Park Street and Esplanade.
On 18 November, The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) officially launched their integrated QR-ticketing system .
This landmark initiative is aimed at making travel across Delhi-NCR more seamless and convenient for commuters. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by both organisations in August 2024, for creating a unified, digitally driven commuter centric network of networks in the region.
Shri Shalabh Goel, Managing Director of NCRTC, and Dr. Vikas Kumar, Managing Director of DMRC, officially launched this integrated ticketing by booking the tickets on their respective mobile apps. Both have expressed confidence that the integration would pave the way for future innovations in travel, as well as encourage greater public transport usage in the region.
Commuters can now book Delhi Metro QR code tickets through the ‘RRTS Connect’ app and Namo Bharat QR code tickets through the ‘DMRC Momentum 2.0’ app, enabling seamless ticketing across both the RRTS systems and Delhi Metro.
The integration of the RRTS and DMRC networks, supported by the newly launched QR-ticketing system, ensures a seamless travel experience across the NCR. The two systems complement each other, with regional transit provided by the Namo Bharat and intra-city transit services offered by the Delhi Metro, together creating a comprehensive and efficient commuting network for the community. This multi-modal connectivity not only enhances commuter convenience but also encourages increased public transport use, contributing to the long-term sustainability of these essential transit projects.
The integration represents a major leap forward in NCRTC’s mission to provide an efficient, sustainable, and commuter-centric transport solution across Delhi-NCR. In line with the Government’s “One India – One Ticket” initiative, which aims to make inter-modal travel as convenient as possible for passengers, this initiative will simplify the ticketing process. By consolidating both metro and RRTS travel options into a single digital platform, this collaboration significantly enhances connectivity for millions of commuters across the National Capital Region.
NCRTC is playing a pivotal role in shaping the region’s transport landscape with the implementation of the RRTS project. With this initiative, NCRTC has not only advanced its vision for a multi-modal, integrated transport system but also reinforced its commitment to promoting sustainable, green, and efficient public transportation solutions. This integration is expected to reduce queues at both NCRTC and DMRC stations, save passengers valuable time, encourage digital transactions and environmentally friendly travel options and provide a more seamless and time-efficient travel experience for passengers.
This initiative is also a continuation of NCRTC’s earlier MoU with IRCTC, which will enable passengers to book Namo Bharat train tickets via the IRCTC platform with the Indian railway train tickets, further simplifying access and enhancing convenience.
The newly launched system also aligns with the objectives of the PM National Gati Shakti Master Plan, which aims to foster integrated infrastructure and seamless connectivity between different transport modes. With the operational 42 km RRTS corridor now linked to the 393 km DMRC metro network, commuters can enjoy a unified and efficient travel experience. The integration will ease congestion, and promote a cleaner, more sustainable future for the region.
Indore ( Metro Rail News): Indore Metro Phase 1 advances with the completion of oscillation and brake performance trials on the Yellow Line through three coaches manufactured by Alstom.
The oscillation trials were conducted with an aim to evaluate the stability and performance of the three different coaches during the movement, ensuring that the commencement of operation on Indore metro meets the safety and performance standard.
The Emergency Braking Distance (EBD) was also reviewed by the RDSO team to evaluate the efficient stopping of trains during the operations.
Indore Metro Phase 1
Indore Metro is an under construction Mass Rapid Transit System ( MRTS). `The state government approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Phase 1 in December 2016 while the central government cabinet approved the DPR in October 2018.
Phase 1 of Indore metro consists of one corridor ( Yellow Line ) spanning 33.53 km with 29 stations in total.
Stations:
Bhawarsala Square
MR 10 Road
ISBT / MR 10 Flyover
Chandragupta Square
Hira Nagar
Bapat Square
Meghdoot Garden
Vijay Nagar Square
Radisson Square
Mumtaj Bag Colony
Bengali Square
Patrakar Colony
Palasia Square
Indore Railway Station
Rajwada Palace
Chota Ganpati
Bada Ganpati
Ramchandra Nagar Square
BSF / Kalani Nagar
Airport
Gandhi Nagar Nanod
Super Corridor 6
Super Corridor 5
Super Corridor 4
Super Corridor 3
Super Corridor 2
Super Corridor 1
Current Status:
The RDSO team is currently finalising the trial reports for the certification process.
Chennai (Metro Rail News) : Chennai Metro advances with the completion of piling works on the 8 km stretch of Phase 2’s Line 4 between Kodambakkam Powerhouse and Porur Junction on 19 November.
This 8 km stretch includes 5 Single Decker and 4 Double Decker stations, which requires 2,255 piles to support the structure and transfer the load to the ground.
Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) made progress in Phase 2 by addressing key engineering challenges. This included rerouting 24.45 km of utilities, such as water pipelines, to make way for construction. To safeguard critical infrastructure like a 1,200mm water line, the CMRL project team adjusted pile layouts as needed. A particularly significant accomplishment was the successful diversion of a massive 1,500mm water line without interrupting the water supply.
Chennai Metro Phase 2
Chennai Metro phase spanning 116.1 km c consists of 3 corridors. The Tamil Nadu government approved Phase 2 of Chennai Metro in 2019 at an estimated cost of Rs. 69,180 crore.
Metro Rail News: On 16 November, NCRTC reached a milestone as Sahibabad and Guldhar RRTS stations located on the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor achieved a Net-Zero Energy rating by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) at Green Building Congress 2024.
The platinum-rated Sahibabad and Guldhar RRTS stations marked a historic achievement due to their energy-positive operations powered by solar infrastructure. The use of solar infrastructure at stations reflects the NCRTC’s commitment towards a sustainable urban transit system.
NCRTC’s Initiative:
The NCRTC has installed in-house solar rooftop plants at the Sahibabad and Guldhar RRTS stations. These solar panels are designed to generate more energy than the auxiliary consumption. The surplus energy generated through solar panels is directed to support other NCRTC electrical systems.
During the different stages of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor project, NCRTC boosted several green practices, including:
Utilisation of fly ash bricks.
Reusing waste for construction of RRTS.
Natural ventilation and energy-capable designs.
Solar energy solutions and rainwater harvesting systems.
Significance of sustainable practice
The solar panels along stations generate 4 MWp of in-house solar power, reducing annual C02 emissions by over 4,000 tons.
Acknowledgement received by Ghaziabad RRTS project
During the Green Building Congress 2024, the Ghaziabad RRTS station also received the IGBC Platinum rating in the Green MRTS category.
