Delhi Metro: With Green Line Expansion New Delhi Metro Station to Become Triple Interchange Hub

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24/06/2024

New Delhi (Metro Rail News): To streamline the connectivity for the West Delhi residents authorities have decided to extend the existing 28.78 km long Green Line (Brigadier Hoshiar Singh-Inderlok) to Indraprastha.

Under this initiative, the New Delhi Metro Station will be transformed into a triple interchange hub to accommodate Green Line as this station already has an interchange facility between Orange and Yellow Line.

As part of Delhi Metro’s Phase 4, Green Line’s new extension will be 12.37km long and it will extend Green Line from Inderlok to Indraprastha. This underground corridor will increase the accessibility to the New Delhi Metro Station for people living in Bahadurgarh, Nangloi, Rajdhani Park and other parts of West Delhi.

This will also make New Delhi Railway Station more accessible for commuters as it is adjacent to New Delhi Metro Station and will also help reduce the congestion around the station as more people will opt for the metro rather than travelling by road.

In the existing Delhi Metro network, Kashmere Gate is the only metro station that features a triple interchange facility. Falling on the Yellow Line, Kashmere Gate has an interchange with the Red and Violet Lines. After the completion of Phase 4, there will be 3 three more stations that will serve as triple interchange stations. The stations are Lajpat Nagar, Azadpur and New Delhi.

Delhi Metro Phase 4

Currently, approximately 86 kilometres of new lines are under construction as part of the Delhi Metro’s Phase 4 expansion. This phase includes three major lines: Janakpuri West to RK Ashram Marg, Majlis Park to Maujpur, and Aerocity to Tughlakabad. About 50% of the civil work has already been completed on these sections.

In March 2024, the central government approved two new corridors for the Delhi Metro, totalling 20.76 kilometres in length. This comprises a 12.377-kilometre extension of the Green Line from Inderlok to Indraprastha and an 8.385-kilometre line from Lajpat Nagar to Saket G Block.

Currently, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is in the process of obtaining statutory clearances, which include acquiring land from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Central Public Works Department (CPWD), and Public Works Department (PWD), as well as securing necessary forest clearances, according to officials.

Further processes related to planning and tendering for civil works are currently underway. These steps need to be completed before proceeding to contracts for track laying, electrical systems, signalling, and other technical components. This ensures that all foundational and preparatory work is in place before moving on to the more crucial aspects of the project.

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Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project gets a €300 million boost from EIB

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Staff Reporter

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22/06/2024

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Bengaluru Suburban Railway gets €300 million boost

New Delhi (Metro Rail News): On June 14, 2024, the Ministry of Finance’s Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the European Investment Bank (EIB) for a €300 million loan for the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project (BSRP). The loan agreement was signed in the presence of officials from both the DEA and EIB in New Delhi.

According to K-RIDE, the loan will facilitate the initiation of tenders for Corridor 1, Depot-2, track, and traction, further expediting the progress of the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project (BSRP).

In December 2023, the German investment bank KfW also signed a similar Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a €500 million loan.

Project Funding:

The €800 million loan, comprising €300 million from EIB and €500 million from KfW, covers 60% of the total project cost of Rs 15,767 crore. While the 40% cost will be covered by the union and state governments.

Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project

The Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project (BSRP) stretches 149 km through 4 corridors and two depots. The project is a key initiative that is designed to offer a reliable and sustainable mode of transportation. It aims to reduce traffic congestion within the city and establish a dedicated suburban rail network to meet the increasing transportation demands of Bengaluru and its neighbouring regions.

Corridor 1: Pre-construction activities are underway for Corridor 1 (Sampige Line) which spans 41.4 km. This corridor will connect Majestic to Devanahalli, with a branch line extending to the Kempegowda International Airport.

Corridor 2: The groundwork has started on Corridor 2, known as the Mallige Line, extending 25.57 km from Benniganahalli to Chikkabanavar.

Corridor 3: Initial groundwork has commenced on Corridor 3. It runs from Kengeri to Whitefield covering a distance of 35.52 km.

Corridor 4: K-RIDE has recently awarded the civil work contract for 46.88 km long Corridor 4 (Kanaka Line). This corridor will connect Heelalige to Rajanukunte. The groundwork on this corridor is likely to begin shortly.

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Indian Railway Initiates Trial Run On World’s Highest Arch Rail Bridge

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Staff Reporter

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22/06/2024

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Indian Railway's Chenab Bridge — Image Credit: ANI

J&K (Metro Rail News): Indian Railways made history on June 20 by successfully conducting a trial run on the Chenab Bridge, which is the world’s highest rail bridge located in Jammu and Kashmir. The successful trial run of the 8-coach MEMU train marks the opening of rail service on the corridor connecting Reasi to Baramulla in Kashmir.

“After an extensive inspection of the newly constructed Chenab Bridge by senior officers from Railway Board, Northern Railway and Konkan Railway, a trial run was conducted on a 46-km-long electrified line section between Sangaldan in Ramban district and Reasi at a speed of 40 kmph,” stated Ministry of Railways.

The 8-coach MEMU train began its journey at 12:35 pm from Sangaldan and it reached Reasi at 2:05 pm. During its journey, the train traversed a route that included nine tunnels spanning a total length of 40.787 kilometres. The longest among these tunnels is T-44, which measures 11.13 kilometres in length.

According to the Ministry, it was the first complete train to cross the Chenab bridge which falls between Dugga and Bakkal stations over the Chenab River, and it is also the world’s highest arch railway bridge.

For the first time, Indian Railways employed ROCS (Rigid Overhead Conductor System) technology at 25 kV to carry out the electrification work on this section.

Upon the arrival of the Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) train at Reasi railway station, a chorus of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ erupted among the crowd. The MEMU train was carrying railway officials and the employees engaged in the project

Reflecting on the past 20 years, Raj Kumar Sharma, former sarpanch, highlighted the difficulties Railways encountered from the outset of the project. Expressing his optimism, he said, “The train service from Reasi to Kashmir could begin by the end of this month,” as reported by The Hindu.

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RVNL Secures Rs 191 Crore Order from South Eastern Railway

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Staff Reporter

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22/06/2024

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Indian Railways (Representational Image)

Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) announced in its regulatory filing that it has been selected as the lowest bidder for an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract from South Eastern Railway.

Scope of Contract:

Under this contract, RVNL will be responsible for designing, supplying, erecting, testing, and commissioning 132 KV traction sectioning posts (SPs) and sub-sectioning posts (SSPs) in a 2x25KV system on the Raj Khaswan, Nayagarh-Bolani section of the Chakradharpur division of South Eastern Railway. This project aims to meet a 3000 MT loading target on an EPC mode basis.

Contract Value & Deadline:

The contract is worth Rs 191.53 crore and is scheduled for completion within 18 months (1.5 years).

Recent Achievements of RVNL:

In May 2024, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited secured multiple high-value contracts. These include a ₹187 crore contract from Nagpur Metro, a ₹72.7 crore project from Northern Railway, and a substantial ₹239 crore order from Southern Railway for various railway works.

Earlier RVNL was awarded a major ₹440 crore contract from South Central Railway. This project involves electrification and signaling works for the Aurangabad-Ankai doubling project in the Nanded division.

About Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL)

Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), often referred to as the construction arm of Indian Railways, specialises in executing a diverse range of infrastructure projects. These projects encompass the construction of new railway lines, track doubling, gauge conversion, railway electrification, metro projects, and workshops. Additionally, RVNL undertakes the construction of major bridges, including cable-stayed bridges, as well as institutional buildings and other critical infrastructure developments.

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Patna Metro: DMRC Advisor (Special Works) Conducts Inspection of Construction Sites

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Staff Reporter

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21/06/2024

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Patna (Metro Rail News): Shri Daljeet Singh, Advisor (Special Works) at Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), conducted an inspection of the construction sites for the Patna Metro Rail Project. During the visit, he instructed officials to accelerate construction activities and commence pre-monsoon preparations at all metro stations.

During the inspection, Shri Daljeet Singh examined the ongoing civil, electrical and track-related works at Malahi Pakadi, Cut and Cover, Bhootnath Road, ISBT Depot, Bihar Museum, Akashvani, Gandhi Maidan, PMCH, Patna University and Moin Ul Haq Stadium Metro Station construction sites.

Shri Singh instructed Metro officials to expedite construction progress at all sites before the monsoon arrives. He emphasised resolving encroachment issues promptly at the Malhi Pakadi site and completing pending pier work without delay.

He directed officials to complete ground development work at Boothnath, Zero Mile, and ISBT Depot Metro Stations. This includes repairing footpaths around the sites and constructing access ramps for lifts. Additionally, he instructed officials to expedite the completion of entry and exit points and finishing work at all stations.

Liaison the construction being done by RCD on Badshahi drain near ISBT Depot so that the ongoing Metro construction work there can be expedited. Apart from this, the construction agency was instructed to make proper arrangements for lighting in the depot before monsoon, install high mast lights, and complete the RSS work soon.

The contractor responsible for construction at Bihar Museum was instructed to finish the roof slab construction work before the monsoon begins. Additionally, they were directed to repair the road adjacent to the Akashvani Metro Station site to ensure smooth commuting for the public.

At PMCH, he instructed to properly barricade the Metro construction areas and clearly mark the entry and exit points. At Patna University, he inspected the drive and site setup of TBM-1 and instructed to re-launch TBM-2 and commence mining work before the monsoon.

Shri Singh said that Metro is committed to minimum inconvenience along with the quality of work and safety of citizens in the areas around Metro construction sites. In view of this, footpaths and roads should be repaired everywhere around the Metro construction site so that people do not face any problems in commuting.

He also directed DMRC officials to ensure compliance from the contractors regarding the removal of encroachment from narrow routes parallel to the construction sites, parallel road arrangement to get rid of traffic jams around the Metro construction site, cleanliness, providing proper zebra crossing facilities for pedestrians at places where there is a change in the routes due to construction.

Besides inspecting the progress in the works of Patna Metro, Shri Singh also assessed the facilities available on the site for the Metro staff and workers like bathrooms, rest area, canteen etc.

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State Govt. Approves Metro Projects in 4 Cities of Bihar

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Staff Reporter

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21/06/2024

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Patna (Metro Rail News): On June 20, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar approved the extension of the metro network to four additional cities in the state.

During a state cabinet meeting chaired by CM Nitish Kumar, approval was granted for new metro projects in the following cities of Bihar:

Muzaffarpur
Gaya
Darbhanga
Bhagalpur.

“The state cabinet approved the Urban Development and Housing Department’s proposal pertaining to metro rail projects in Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Darbhanga and Bhagalpur. Now, the feasibility reports will be prepared after which the detailed project reports (DPR) will be finalised,” stated S Siddharth, Additional Chief Secretary (Cabinet Secretariat).

Additionally, he mentioned that the central and state governments will each cover 20% of the project costs while the remaining 60% will be covered by financial institutions.

Existing Metro Network In Bihar

Currently, work is underway on the Patna Metro Phase 1 project for which the foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 17, 2019. The project is being constructed with an investment of Rs. 13,365.77 crore.

Patna Metro Phase 1 stretches 30.91 km across 2 corridors and 26 stations. Line 1, also known as the East-West Line, extends 16.86 km, connecting Danapur Cantonment and Khemni Chak via 8 elevated and 6 underground stations.

Line 2, the North-South Line, covers a total distance of 14.05 km, linking Patna Junction Railway Station with New ISBT through 5 elevated and 7 underground stations. Patna Metro Station will serve as the interchange between Line 1 and Line 2, facilitating a smooth transition for passengers.

The first section of Phase 1, which includes 5 stations, is expected to be operational by March 2025. Meanwhile, the entire Phase 1 is likely to be completed by 2027.

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Chennai Metro: Swastik Overseas Wins Koyambedu Depot’s Machinery/Equipment Works Contract

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Staff Reporter

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21/06/2024

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Chennai (Metro Rail News): Chennai Metro Rail has declared Swastik Overseas as the lowest bidder to carry out Machinery/Equipment works at Koyambedu Depot. The depot is located near Koyambedu Metro Station, which is part of the Green Line of the Chennai Metro network.

Scope of work

Under Package DM-1000, as part of the Phase 2 project, Swastik Overseas will be responsible for the design, manufacturing, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of the following depot machinery and equipment works at Koyambedu Depot, along with the associated infrastructure works:

Automatic Train Wash Plant (DM-1001)
Installation of a Drying Station in the Existing Automatic Train Wash Plant (ATWP) (DM-1002)
Battery-Operated Rail Cum Road Shunter (BORRS) (DM-1003)
Bogie Turntable (DM-1004)
Racks for Storing Rolling stock HVAC, Traction conversion system, Auxiliary converter, Main transformer & AGTU-JIG (DM-1005)
Rack for Koyambedu stores (DM-1006)
Battery-operated forklift (5T) (DM-1007)
Manual Mobile Scissor Lift Table (DM-1008)
Mobile Lifting Trolley (Hydraulic) – 5 Ton (DM-1009)
Hydraulic Lifting Trolley – 1 Ton (DM-1010)

Chennai Metro floated the tender with an estimated cost of Rs. 8.91 crore. Swastik Overseas emerged as the lowest bidder at an undisclosed price.

Recently, the joint venture of Taikisha and Swastik Overseas secured the Machinery and Plant (M&P) work contract for the Mandale Depot of the Mumbai Metro.

Chennai Metro’s Koyambedu Depot

Koyambedu Depot stretches over an area of 26 hectares The Depot’s construction contract was awarded to Larsen & Toubro in November 2010. In December 2012, the first Metro train arrived at the depot from Brazil. The Koyambedu Depot, which includes the Chennai Metro’s Operational Control Centre (OCC), oversees the monitoring and management of metro train movements throughout the city. The depot spans 15 kilometres of track, including a dedicated test track for trial runs.

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Pune Metro: Feeder bus service launched from Ramwadi Station to Kharadi

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Staff Reporter

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20/06/2024

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Pune (Metro Rail News): In collaboration with Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML), Pune Metro has launched a new feeder bus service connecting the Pune Metro’s Ramwadi Station to the World Trade Center and EON IT Park-Kharadi. This service began on June 19, 2024, and it aims to improve the daily commute for residents and workers in these high-traffic areas.

Sanjay Kolte, the Chief Managing Director of PMPML, officially inaugurated the service. The event was attended by various officials, including Vinod Kumar Agarwal, Director of System & Operations, Maha Metro.

On this occasion Shravan Hardikar, Managing Director of Maha Metro said, “This feeder bus service will greatly benefit the residents of Chandannagar, Vimannagar, Kharadi, and the employees working in the IT Parks in these areas, providing them with convenient access to the Ramwadi Metro station.

Pune Metro

Presently, Pune Metro is operating at its full strength on both its North-South Corridor (PCMC-Swargate) and the East-West Corridor ( Vanaz-Ramwadi) covering a total distance of 29 km.

The Ramwadi Metro Station serves as a crucial hub, linking various educational institutes, IT parks, Pune Airport, Special Economic Zones, and residential areas. Acknowledging the number of commuters traveling to and from this area for work, the newly introduced feeder bus service is designed to simplify and enhance their daily journeys.

Stops & Fare

The feeder bus service will stop at the following locations: Ramwadi Metro Station, Vadgaon Sheri, Vimannagar, Chandan Nagar, Kharadi Bypass, Janak Baba Dargah, Silver Chowk, Raghoji Chavan Chowk, World Trade Center Gates 3 and 5, EON IT Park Phase 1, Gera Towers, Gera Financial Zone, and EON IT Park Phase 2.

The fare for this service will be Rs. 5, Rs. 10, and Rs. 15, depending on the distance from Ramwadi station. The frequency of the service will be adjusted based on passenger demand and response.

Objectives of the Feeder Bus Service:

1. Enhance ‘first to last mile’ connectivity for Pune Metro passengers within an integrated transport framework.

2. Promote the use of public transport.

3. Increase ridership on the Pune Metro.

4. Reduce carbon emissions and pollution levels.

5. Alleviate traffic congestion by reducing reliance on private vehicles.

This new service route was carefully planned, taking into account factors such as minimum distance and travel time, current road conditions, the density of bus stops, population density in the area, and the number of employees working nearby. This initiative is crucial in establishing ‘first to last mile connectivity’ and promoting public transport.

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Bhubaneswar Metro: 3 Firms Submit Proposals for Design Consultant Contract BCDD-02

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Staff Reporter

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20/06/2024

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Bhubaneswar Metro (The image is for representation only.)

Bhubaneswar (Metro Rail News): Following the opening of technical bids by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in May, three consulting firms have submitted proposals for the role of Detailed Design Consultant (DDC) under Package BCDD-02 of the Bhubaneswar Metro Phase 1 project.

route map 1 — Bhubaneswar Metro Phase 1 Route Map

These firms are:

Ayesa India Pvt. Ltd.
Intercontinental Consultants and Technocrats Pvt. Ltd. (ICT)
STUP Consultants Pvt. Ltd.

Scope of work:

The scope of work entails engaging a Detailed Design Consultant (DDC) for architectural and building services, including E&M (Electrical and Mechanical), traction works, and civil works for the Depot and OCC (Operations Control Centre) building.

This also includes proof-checking of substructures for viaducts, special spans including their superstructures, and stations from Biju Patnaik Airport to Trisulia Square. Additionally, it covers 750V DC traction and power supply works for elevated stations and depots, as well as RSS (Railway Signaling System) works.

Bidding Process

In March 2024, DMRC initiated the bidding process for the consultancy contract, estimating it to be worth Rs. 22.20 crore and setting a deadline of 36 months. On May 22, the technical bids for the contract were officially opened.

Evaluation of the bids, which started in May, is currently in progress and expected to conclude within the next few months. Following this evaluation phase, the financial bids from the technically qualified bidders will be opened to identify the lowest bidder.

Bhubaneswar Metro Phase 1

Odisha’s State government approved the Phase 1 project in November 2023 at an estimated cost of Rs 6255.94 Crore. Phase 1 of the Bhubaneswar Metro will cover a total distance of 26.024 km through 20 elevated stations. It will link Trisulia Square with Biju Patnaik Airport of Bhubaneswar.

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RRTS Corridor: NCRTC likely to initiate trials on the Delhi Section by late 2024

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Staff Reporter

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19/06/2024

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The Delhi-Meerut RRTS corridor is likely to achieve a major breakthrough as the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), which is responsible for implementing India’s inaugural Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), prepares to conduct the first trial run of the Namo Bharat train on the Delhi section by late 2024.

Officials from the NCRTC have indicated that the civil construction of the viaduct in Delhi is nearing completion, with ongoing work progressing at the station premises.

Puneet Vats, chief public relations officer, NCRTC, said, “Construction of the RRTS viaduct in the Delhi section of the Delhi-Meerut corridor is almost complete. The trial runs are likely to be started in Delhi by the end of this year. The RRTS stations – Sarai Kale Khan, New Ashok Nagar, and Anand Vihar (underground) in Delhi – have already taken shape and finishing work is underway.”

NCRTC plans to invite the Commission of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) for inspection once the signalling and telecommunication work on the Delhi Section is completed. The CMRS inspection will focus on critical aspects necessary to start operations, including the interaction between infrastructure and rolling stock, track conditions, and signalling systems. Upon receiving clearance from CMRS, NCRTC will proceed to deploy the Namo Bharat Trains on this section for public use.

Delhi Section of RRTS corridor

The Delhi Section of the RRTS spans 9 km through an elevated section and 5 km via an underground section. According to officials, the viaduct construction for the elevated part has been finished up to the Sarai Kale Khan station. Currently, track laying and overhead electrification (OHE) installation are in progress at this location.

At present, The Namo Bharat trains are operational across eight stations covering a 34 km stretch from Sahibabad station to Modi Nagar North station of the 82 km RRTS corridor. As per the officials, the Meerut South RRTS station is almost complete and is expected to be commissioned by the end of the year. This addition will extend the operational length of the RRTS corridor to 42 km.

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