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.
Bhopal ( Metro Rail News): On 5 September 2024, Bhopal Metro advanced as a 400-ton, 65-metre-long Rail Over Bridge (RoB) was finally launched at Habibganj Naka Station.
Due to the commendable coordination between Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (MPMRCL) and Indian Railways, the installation of RoB was completed in just 3 hours, enhancing the development of Bhopal Metro’s priority corridor.
Bhopal Metro Phase 1
Bhopal Metro, also known as the Bhoj Metro, is an under-construction mass rapid transit system (MRTS) project with an estimated cost of Rs. 6941.40 crore.
Bhopal Metro priority corridors consist of 2 Lines spanning 27.90 km with 28 stations in total.
Corridors
Line 2
Orange Line
Karond Circle station – AIIMS Station
14.99 km
No. of Stations: 16
Line 5
Blue Line
Bhadbhada Square station – Ratnagiri Tiraha station
Bangalore (Metro Rail News):On 4 September, ITD Cementation India’s TBM Tunga (S-839B) achieved its 4th and final breakthrough at Nagawara Station of the 21.386 km long Pink Line of Bangalore Metro Phase 2 project.
In the first week of February, ITD Cementation deployed TBM S-839B, nicknamed Tunga, from Kadugondanahalli (K.G. Halli) station for its final assignment. After constructing 938 meters TBM achieved breakthrough at Nagawara station’s South Cut and Cover Shaft.
According to BMRCL officials “With this breakthrough, out of the total 20,992 meters of tunneling, 20,582.7 meters (98%) is completed,”
With this milestone, eight of the nine Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs): Urja, Varada, Avni, Lavi, Vindhya, Vamika, Rudra, and Tunga—have completed their tasks.
Image credit: Shiva Shankar
TBM Tunga’s Assignment on Bangalore Metro’s Pink Line
Image Credit:Shiva Shankar
Venkateshpura – Tannery Road
822m
June 2021 – June 2022
Tannery Road to Shadi Mahal TBM Retrieval Shaft
209m
June 2022 – August 2022
Venkateshpura to Kadugondanahalli
1184m
October 2022 – December 2023
Kadugondanahalli to Nagawara South Shaft
938 m
February 2024 – September 2024
Image Credit: Shiva Shankar
Package RT-04
In November, ITD Cementation grabbed Package RT-04 at a cost of Rs. 1771.25, which spans 4.591 km connecting Tannery Road to North Ramp with a 42-month deadline.
The scope of work under this package incorporates the construction of twin tunnels from Tannery Road to North Ramp, Ramp at Nagawara and four stations at;
Tannery Road
Venkateshpura
Kadugundanahalli
Nagawara.
Upcoming Development
Till date, 25 breakthroughs have been achieved out of 26 breakthroughs planned for the Bangalore Metro Phase 2 project.
Now, only one breakthrough is left by the ninth TBM, Bhadra, which is currently constructing an approx 939-meter downline tunnel between K. G. Halli and Nagawara for the Bangalore Metro Phase 2 project.
Bangalore ( Metro Rail News ): The newly launched Vande Bharat sleeper train manufactured at Bengaluru by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) will be dispatched this month; with no more delay, the Vande Bharat sleeper coaches will be inaugurated by December 2024.
On 1 September, Railway Minister ‘Ashwini Vaishnaw’ introduced the Vande Bharat Sleeper coaches as the “Best in the world”.
He also mentioned, “These trains are being manufactured with a lot of care and vision. They are designed in a way that the passengers go through ultra comfort during the journey. Not just the passengers but even the service staff will have access to these comforts as a special cell is designed for them to take rest”.
Railway Minister Shares the Pictures of Vande Bharat Sleeper Coaches.
The Union Minister talked about the fiscal benefit of the sleeper coaches providing luxurious facilities and comfort on an affordable budget. The middle-class or service staff can also easily acquire the advantages.
Specification of Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains
The new Vande Bharat Sleeper train consists of 16 coaches and is designed for overnight trips ranging from 800 km to 1200 km.
Integration of Modern Technologies
These advanced Vande Bharat trains integrate modern technologies like the Kavach system that has also been installed to streamline the safety of passengers, and this system will alert the loco pilot about any danger. This will add to the safety of the sleeper coaches.
This advancement outlines the effective implementation of the ‘Make In India’ initiative. This Indigenous version of the Vande Bharat Sleeper train aims to provide passengers with a new experience for their long-distance travel.
Additionally, on 31st August, PM Modi flagged off the new 3 Vande Bharat Express via video conferencing, connecting UP, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Maharashtra (Metro Rail News): Kinet has announced the commissioning of the Marathwada Rail Coach Factory (MRCF) at Latur. This ceremony marks the beginning of active preparations for the production capabilities of the facility, leading to the commencement of serial assembly of Vande Bharat Sleeper Coaches.
About Kinet
Kinet, a leading manufacturer of electric passenger trains in India, has won an international contract to manufacture 1,920 sleeper coaches and maintain them for 35 years.
The project involves upgrading existing government manufacturing facilities and depots to meet global production and maintenance standards. The commissioning of the MRCF marks a significant milestone in the ongoing modernisation of India’s railway network.
The event was attended by Mr. NSR Prasad, CAO, ICF; Mr. Neeraj Kumar Dohare, DRM-Solapur; Mr. SC Sagar, CWE, Central Railway; Mr. Anshumali Kumar, ADRM-Solapur; Mr. Pradeep Gaur, CMD, RVNL; along with the dignitaries from the Kinet team including Ms. Alexandra Meluzova, CEO, Kinet; Mr. Sathyamurthy K, Managing Director-Latur, Kinet.
Located in Latur, Maharashtra, the Marathwada Rail Coach Factory is spread over 351 acres. The facility will be equipped with 11 advanced assembly stations and will have various specialised workshops including a car body shop, warehouse, assembly, testing, bogie and paint shops. The internal tracks will be 8.6 km long. It is equipped with a solar power plant and a wastewater treatment plant, helping to reduce its carbon footprint and support India’s renewable energy targets.
In addition, more than 1,000 trees will be planted on the site by the end of next year. Sathyamurthy K, Managing Director – Latur, Kinet, said: “This plant is more than just a manufacturing facility. It is a catalyst for socio-economic development in the region. More than 10,000 people will be involved in the entire production chain. By creating employment, supporting ancillary industries, and promoting skill development, we are contributing to the broader vision of ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’ – a developed India by the centenary of our Independence”.
Nagpur ( Metro Rail News): Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. ( MMRCL or MahaMetro) declared Kalpataru Projects International Ltd.( KPIL) as the lowest bidder for the 17.647 km Package-C11 which comes under Nagpur metro phase 2 (43.8 km ).
Package-C11 (Nagpur Metro Phase 2)
Package -C11 includes the construction of three different viaducts for Reach 2B, 3A and 4A on the Nagpur phase 2.
Lines
Reach
Distance
Location
Orange line
2A
5.9 km
Cantonment – Kanhan
Aqua line
3A
6.4 km
Lokmanya Nagar – Hingra
Aqua line
4A
5.3 km
Prajapati Square – Transport Nagar
Earlier, the construction of the viaducts for sections 2B, 3A and 4A was planned to be executed through 3 different packages- C-07, C-03 and C-04 consecutively. The tender procedure for these packages was scrapped. Subsequently, all three packages were merged into one Package- C-11.
In March 2024, the MahaMetro authority invited bids for Package-C-11 with an estimated cost of Rs.1010 crore. The deadline for the project is 1080 days. Later on in May, technical bids were announced with 5 bidders on the list.
Bidders
Bidders
Bidders price
Kalpatura Projects International Ltd.(KPIL)
999 crore
GR Infraprojects Ltd.(GRIL)
1031.67 crore
ITD Cementation India Ltd.
1075.65 crore
Tata Projects Ltd. (TPL)
1183.93 crore
Kalpataru Projects International Ltd. bagged package C11 with Rs.999.0 crore, which is 1.09% less than the authority estimation.
Construction of stations on these viaducts comes under separate packages. Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd.( RNVL) was awarded Package- C-08 for constructing Reach- 2B’s six metro stations.
Bangalore (Metro Rail News):On 31 August 2024, BEML, India’s leading rolling stock manufacturer, finally started the production of train sets for the Pink Line & Blue Line of the 73.92 km Bangalore Metro Phase 2 project.
In August 2023, BEML grabbed rolling stock contract 5RS-DM’s worth Rs. 3177 crore from BMRCL. Under this agreement, BEML is responsible for manufacturing 53 trains (each having 6 coaches). These trains will facilitate operations for:
Phase 2A (18.23 km)
Phase 2B (37 km)
Pink Line (21 km)
A ceremony took place at BEML’s Bengaluru facility in CV Raman Nagar for the manufacturing of a new rolling stock prototype train.
Financial Aspects:
In March 2021, A Rs. 3,717 crore loan agreement was signed between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the government of India regarding the manufacturing of rolling stocks, CBTC signalling and platform screen doors.
Allotment of Trains Planned By BMRCL
Phase
Line
Stations
Length
No. of trains
Phase 2
Pink line
Kalena Agrahara station- Nagawara station
21.386 km
16
Phase 2A
Blue line
Silk Board stations – KR Puram stations
18.2 km
16
Phase 2B
Blue line
KR Puram station – Airport station
37 km
21
Key Features of New train-sets
Bengaluru’s brand new train sets will feature six coaches, comprising two Driving Motor Car (DMC) and four Trailer Car (TC).
These trains will operate at a maximum design speed of 95 kmph and operational speed of 85 kmph.
These trains will be equipped with Alstom’s CBTC signalling and train-control solution. This advanced feature will empower trains to run “driverless” on GoA4 (grade of automation 4) for Unattended Train Operations (UTO)
As per the press release BEML’s in-house engineering teams in Bangalore will be responsible for the “design and development” of these brand-new trains. . high-tensile Austenitic stainless steel will be used in the manufacture of these trainsets.
Keeping in mind the passenger’s comfort Each Metro car will incorporate two roof-mounted Saloon Air Conditioners to provide them with an air conditioning facility.
The trains will also feature an IP-based Passenger Announcement (PA) and Passenger Information System (PIS), along with a Passenger Saloon Surveillance System (PSSS) to provide real-time station information.
Additionally, the trains will have electrically driven automatic doors synchronised with Platform Screen Doors to ensure passenger safety.
Metro Rail News: On 31st August 2024, PM Narendra Modi flagged off three new Vande Bharat Express via video conferencing to enhance connectivity in Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
Recently, inaugurated three Vande Bharat Express trains are:
Chennai Central to Nagercoil
Madurai to Bengaluru Cantonment
Meerut City-Lucknow
Trial Runs Underway for Puri-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express
(Representational Image)
While adding three more Vande Bharat trains, the Prime Minister welcomes more connectivity to the route. More than 100 Vande Bharat Trains are operational, connecting 280 districts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF NEWLY INAUGURATED TRAINS:
Chennai Central to Nagercoil Vande Bharat Train
ROUTE
TIMINGS
STOPS
From Chennai Egmore to Nagercoil
It will leave Chennai Egmore at 5 am and reach Nagercoil at 1:50 Pm Will remain off on Wednesdays.
Tambaram, Villupuram, Tiruchirappalli, Dindugal, Madurai, Kovilpatti, and Tirunelveli Will facilitate pilgrimage travelling to the divine Arulmigu Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai & Kumari Amman Temple, Kanniyakumari.
Madurai to Bengaluru Cantonment Vande Bharat Train
ROUTE
TIMINGS
STOPS
From Madurai to Bengaluru Cantonment
It will leave Madurai at 5:15 AM and reach Bengaluru Cantonment at 1 PM.Will remain off on Tuesdays.
Dindugal, Tiruchirappalli, Karur, Namakkal, Salem, and Krishnarajapuram Connect inter-state with providing connectivity to the temple in Madurai.
Meerut City to Lucknow Vande Bharat trains
ROUTE
TIMINGS
STOPS
From Meerut city to Lucknow
It will leave Meerut City at 6:35 am and reach Lucknow Charbagh at 1:45 pm. It will remain off on Tuesdays.
Moradabad and Bareilly.This will connect pilgrimage sites like Digambar Jain Temple, Mansa Devi Mandir, Surajkund Temple, and Augharnath Temple.
While inaugurating, PM Modi said, “Today, from North to South, a new chapter is being added to the Vikas Yatra of the country. From today, Vande Bharat Train service will start between Meerut – Lucknow, Madurai – Bengaluru Cantonment and Chennai – Nagercoil.
Surat (Metro Rail News):Surat Metro project advances as TBM Narmada accomplishes Its last Breakthrough.
On 30 August 2024, Surat Metro witnessed another milestone on Line 1 when Gulermak – Sam India Builtwell JV’s TBM Narmada achieved its third and final breakthrough at Surat Railway Station for the Surat Metro Phase 1 Project.
TBM Narmada established the overall fifth and second-last breakthrough for Package CS2 / UG1.
Labheshwar Chowk Station – Central Warehouse Station
600m
March 2024
Current assignment
Central Warehouse- Surat Railway Station.
338m
August 2024
Note: The first breakthrough was still hidden as soil excavation is still in progress.
Image Credit: Antima
Package CS2 / UG1
In March 2021, Gulermak – Sam India JV grabbed underground Package CS2 / UG1’s construction contract, which spans 3.46 km connecting Kapodra station and Surat Railway Station.
The scope of work under this package incorporates the construction of three twin tunnels and the 3 stations at ;
Kapodra
Labheshwar Chowk
Central Warehouse
Surat Metro Phase 1 Project
Surat metro is an under construction Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) which spans 41.93 km, consisting of 2 corridors and 37 stations.
Mumbai (Metro Rail News): Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (MMRCL) has revealed that 11 bidders have signed up to conduct a geotechnical soil investigation for 18 km Mumbai Metro Line 11( Green Line ), which will connect Anik Bus Depot- SPM Chowk featuring 15 underground stations.
Map of the green line
Beforehand, MMRCL had invited bids for geotechnical work on the new alignment of Line 11. The deadline for the project is 90 days. This line will be the third underground line after Line 3 (Aqua Line) and Line 7 (Red Line).
Contractors Have Bids For The Project :
CEG Test House & Research Centre Pvt. Ltd.
C E Testing Company Pvt. Ltd.
Genstru Consultants Pvt. Ltd.
Geomarine Dynamics India Pvt. Ltd.
Idhitri Geoservices Pvt. Ltd.
Independent Consultants and Technocrats
Monarch Surveyors and Engineering Consultants Ltd.
Myrtle Project and Consultancy Pvt. Ltd.
Pureways Infra Pvt. Ltd.
SKW Soil and Survey Co
S & R Geotechniques Pvt. Ltd.
The lowest bidder has yet to be announced, and bids have been sent for technical evaluation.
Objective For Geotechnical Contract
Thisgeotechnical investigation aims to collect sufficient data on the sub-soil that will help to prepare detailed structure designs and the use of appropriate machinery, methods & technology during construction. This will also help ensure the least possible damage to existing structures during construction.
Work Description: The contract involves a geotechnical investigation of the new alignment of Mumbai Metro line 11.
The report of the geotechnical survey should contain the following details:
Borehole details and locations with georeferenced coordinates
Geological characteristics of the area
Water table levels
Results of conducted tests
Foundation recommendations based on borehole data
Cut off values
Bearing capacities of Soil
Seismicity of the soil
According to the contract details, boreholes with 150 mm diameter should be drilled periodically after every 500 meters along the twin tunnel alignment. A total of 3 boreholes will be drilled at each station site. The depth of these boreholes will vary from 10 meters to 20 meters.
On corridor 11, 15 underground stations are planned to be constructed on Anik Bus Depot, Wadala Depot, CGS Colony, Ganesh Nagar, BPT Hospital, Sewri, Hay Bunder, Coal Bunder (Darukhana), Reay Road, Byculla, Nagpada Junction, Bhendi Bazaar, Crawford Market, CSMT Metro, Horniman Circle, and SPM Circle.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is responsible for the development of Green Line. The Green Line includes four lines( Line 4, Line 4A, Line 10, and Line 11).In 2023, the first section of the Green Line will be opened and connected with other metro lines through multiple interchanges along its route.
Agra (Metro Rail News): Recently, the Agra Metro Phase 1 project witnessed 2 milestones on Line 1 when Afcons-Sam India Consortium’s TBM Ganga and TBM Shivaji achieved breakthroughs at SN Medical College Station and Raja Ki Mandi, respectively.
TBM 324 and TBM S718C established the 13th and 14th breakthroughs for the 7.93 km underground Package AGCC-02 of Agra Metro Phase 1.
TBM Ganga’s Journey in Agra Metro Phase 1
TBM Ganga, also known as TBM 324, is the 2nd TBM deployed for the Agra Metro Project.
Image Credit: Gaurav Chauhan
TBM Ganga’s journey so far records the construction of;
First Assignment
Ramleela Maidan – Agra Fort Station
334m
June 2023
Second Assignment
Agra Fort Station – Shahjahan Gardens Midshaft
175m
September 2023
Third Assignment
Shahjahan Gardens Midshaft – Taj Mahal Station
1175m
December 2023
Current Assignment
Agra College Station – SN Medical College Station.
525m
August 2024
Image Credit: Gaurav Chauhan
TBM Shivaji’s Journey in Agra Metro Phase 1
TBM Shivaji, nicknamed TBM S-718C, is the 3rd TBM machine deployed for the Agra Metro Project.
Image Credit: Gaurav Chauhan
TBM Shivaji’s journey so far records the construction of;
First assignment
Taj Mahal Station -Taj Mahal Ramp
228m
October 2023
Second Assignment
RBS Ramp -RBS College Station.
734m
December 2023
Current Assignment
RBC College- Raja Ki Mandi Station.
685m
August 2024
Package AGCC-02
In March 2022, Afcons – Sam India Consortium bagged Rs. 1819.79 crore underground Package AGCC-02 with a 48-month deadline.
The scope of work under this package includes the construction of twin tunnels connecting 7 stations at;
Taj Mahal
Agra Fort
Jama Masjid
SN Medical College
Agra College
Raja Ki Mandi
RBS College
Upcoming Developments
Till date,14 breakthroughs have been achieved out of 18 breakthroughs planned for the Agra Metro Phase 1 project.
In future, The remaining breakthroughs will be recorded at:
