IRCON Secures Rs 1,200 Crore Railway Project for Kottavalasa-Koraput Doubling

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30/04/2024

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): IRCON International Ltd., a prominent state-owned enterprise, has announced securing a significant railway project worth approximately Rs 1,200 crore. The project, awarded in a joint venture with Dineshchandra R Agrawal Infracon Pvt. Ltd. (DRA), named IRCON-DRA JV, involves the Kottavalasa-Koraput Doubling Railway Line Project.

IRCON, operating under the Ministry of Railways, is well-regarded for its capabilities in turnkey construction projects, particularly in the railway sector.

Project Details

The project extends from Shivalingapuram Station to Borraguhalu Station. The East Coast Railway has commissioned it, and the total investment is Rs 1,198.09 crore.

IRCON will handle the project using an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) model, and the completion timeline for this extensive railway doubling project is set at 1,260 days.

This project is expected to significantly improve the railway infrastructure in the region, enhancing connectivity and facilitating smoother and faster transportation. The doubling of the railway line will also play a crucial role in boosting the local economy by improving trade and mobility.

The Kottavalasa-Koraput railway doubling project is strategic for enhancing regional connectivity and the overall development of the infrastructure that supports the eastern regions of India.

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Kolkata Metro Conducts Trial Runs on New Orange Line Stretch

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Staff Reporter

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30/04/2024

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KOLKATA (Metro Rail News): The Kolkata Metro has successfully carried out trial runs on the new segment of the Orange Line. The trial run was carried out from Hemanta Mukhopadhyay to Beleghata on Saturday. The trial operations began at 11:22 AM and concluded at 12:35 PM, involving two round trips using a Medha AC rake. The Hemanta Mukhopadhyay to Beleghata route extends over 4.39 kilometres and includes four new stations: VIP Bazar, Ritwik Ghatak, Barun Sengupta, and Beleghata.

Senior Metro officials supervised the trials to evaluate various operational parameters like track fitness, emergency braking systems, power supply, and the station staff’s responsiveness.

Trial runs were conducted on the extended stretch of #OrangeLine between #HemantaMukhopadhyay to #Beleghata stretch on 27.04.2024 pic.twitter.com/zyAbdIUN5w
— Metro Railway Kolkata (@metrorailwaykol) April 29, 2024

Tweet by Kolkata Metro

Preparing for Commercial Launch

The trial runs are part of the preparatory activities to ensure all systems are functional for the upcoming commercial launch of the Orange Line extension from Kavi Subhash to Beleghata. Currently, the operational segment of the Orange Line covers 5.4 kilometres from Kavi Subhash to Hemanta Mukhopadhyay and features five stations. This extension allows commuters to interchange between the Blue and Orange Lines at Kavi Subhash station.

Infrastructure Developments in Kolkata Metro

Concurrently, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has started constructing a ramp on VIP Road leading to the underground tunnels towards the Airport station of the New Garia-Airport Metro corridor. The construction commenced after the Bidhannagar City Police cleared nearly 700 meters near the airport, setting the stage for RVNL to begin work on the last 950-meter underground section, which includes a 300-meter ramp and approximately 650 meters of tunnels.

kolkata metro route — Kolkata Metro Aerial View

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Vande Bharat Metro Trial Runs Expected in July

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Staff Reporter

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29/04/2024

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NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Vande Bharat Metro (VB Metro) is an inter-city version of the popular Vande Bharat Express. Scheduled trial runs are expected to begin in July. The trains are designed to cater to short-distance commuters over routes ranging between 100 and 250 kilometres. The VB Metro is set to connect 124 cities across India, with initial routes planned between cities such as Lucknow-Kanpur, Agra-Mathura, and Tirupati-Chennai.

Train Design and Specifications

According to senior railway officials, the Vande Metro will feature a flexible design, allowing configurations of four, eight, or even up to 16 coaches to match the density of the route. These trains will have automatic doors and side seating arrangements to accommodate seated and standing passengers. The officials highlighted that these configurations are ideal for unreserved or general category passengers using the service for their daily commutes.

The interior design of the VB Metro trains will mirror that of MEMU trains but with enhanced features such as air conditioning, modern security systems, including CCTV and smoke detectors, and better seating layouts. Each coach will be able to accommodate 100 seated and 180 standing passengers, with toilets available in each coach for convenience.

Despite the optimism, there are concerns about the VB Metro achieving its full potential due to the current limitations of India’s saturated railway track infrastructure. Unlike metropolitan or regional rapid transit systems that operate on dedicated tracks, the VB Metro will utilise the existing tracks, which could potentially affect its efficiency.

Rollout of Vande Bharat Sleeper

In addition to the VB Metro, the railway ministry plans to launch the Vande Bharat sleeper trains within the first 100 days following the election results. These trains, under development by Bharat Earth Movers Ltd. (BEML) in Bengaluru, aim to provide premium long-distance travel across the country.

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Hyderabad Metro Announces Additional Station for Airport Link in Nagole

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Staff Reporter

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29/04/2024

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HYDERABAD (Metro Rail News): The Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) has announced the addition of a new metro station in Nagole as part of the extension of the metro service to the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad. The decision was made public following a detailed inspection of the proposed route for the airport metro link by HMR officials.

On Saturday, a team led by Hyderabad Metro’s Managing Director N.V.S. Reddy inspected the Nagole-Chandrayangutta stretch, a critical segment of the 14-km proposed line. During the survey, the alignment was adjusted slightly to accommodate existing infrastructure, moving it 10 meters to the left along the Musi River.

Untitled design 47 — Managing Director N.V.S. Reddy inspected the Nagole-Chandrayangutta stretch

This adjustment will prevent the need to relocate major water pipelines and high-tension power lines, a move that is expected to speed up the construction process and reduce costs.

Location Planning by Hyderabad Metro Rail

The new station, dubbed the Nagole RTO, will be strategically located near the Alkapuri Junction and aims to enhance connectivity with the Outer Ring Road (ORR). This will be crucial in facilitating easier airport access for residents and travellers coming from various parts of the city.

An additional station is planned immediately after crossing the Musi River to provide direct access to the road leading from Kottapet Junction, further enhancing the line’s reach.

Discussing the project, Mr. Reddy highlighted the engineering challenges, especially at the Chandrayangutta interchange station. This station will require careful integration with the Old City Metro extension due to the existing flyover and the necessary terminal facilities. Height adjustments will be crucial for ensuring a seamless connection between the two metro lines.

Untitled design 46 — Managing Director N.V.S. Reddy inspected the Nagole-Chandrayangutta stretch

In addressing the community impact, HMR officials have confirmed that private land acquisition will be minimal and will involve negotiations with local authorities and residents to minimise disruption.

Construction timelines and further details on the project phases are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

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Second out of 28 Steel Bridge Launches Complete for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor

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Staff Reporter

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27/04/2024

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GUJARAT (Metro Rail News): A 100-meter steel bridge has been successfully installed for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor over the Vadodara-Ahmedabad main line near Nadiad in Gujarat. This development marks a remarkable leap in the High-Speed Rail project, leveraging Japanese expertise and India’s robust ‘Make-in-India’ initiative.

This marks the completion of the second out of the 28 steel bridges for the corridor. The first steel bridge was constructed across National Highway 53 in Surat, Gujarat.

The bridge, weighing a massive 1486 metric tonnes (MT), was assembled in a workshop located in Bhuj district, Gujarat—approximately 310 km from the installation site. It features a 63-meter launching nose that weighs around 430 MT, designed to ease the installation process over busy railway tracks.

Untitled design 29 1 — Launch process of the steel bridge.

Installation Process for the High-Speed Rail Project

The installation was carried out precisely, requiring a complete traffic and power block on the existing railway lines to ensure safety and accuracy. The bridge was elevated to a height of 15.5 meters using temporary trestles and pulled into place using an automated system comprising two 180 MT capacity jacks.

Quality and Safety Measures

Every steel batch used in the bridge was subjected to rigorous Ultrasonic Testing (UT) at the manufacturer’s premises to ensure structural integrity. The bridge’s construction involved sophisticated procedures, including cutting, drilling, welding, and a unique five-layered painting process compliant with Japan’s C-5 Painting system standards.

This project introduces several firsts in Indian railway construction, such as the use of Tor Shear Type High Strength Bolts (TTHSB) for joining steel members, a technique used for the first time in Indian railway projects. The comprehensive approach ensures a combination of durability and safety, essential for the high-speed demands of the bullet train corridor.

Untitled design 28 1 — The Steel Bridge over Vadodara-Ahmedabad main line near Nadiad in Gujarat

Future Prospects

This steel bridge is the second of the 28 planned for the corridor, highlighting the increasing reliance on steel structures capable of supporting high-speed train operations. India’s capability in steel bridge assembling is set to enhance the construction of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor, which will operate at speeds of up to 320 kmph.

With approximately 70,000 MT of specified steel allocated for these bridges, India is set to redefine its transportation architecture and bolster its global position in high-speed rail technology.

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India-Japan Review Progress of Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Railway Project in the 17th Joint Committee Meeting

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Staff Reporter

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27/04/2024

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NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): India and Japan reviewed the progress of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Railway (MAHSR) project in the 17th Joint Committee meeting on April 25. The Railways and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw co-chaired the online meeting with Masafumi Mori, Special Advisor to the Japanese Prime Minister.

Top officials from the Railways, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) attended the meeting from the Indian side. On the Japanese side, executives from relevant ministries and agencies, including the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Economy, Trade and Industry, Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), participated in the meeting.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry issued a statement stating, “At this meeting, we confirmed the progress of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project and held technical discussions to ensure the steady progress of the project going forward.”

It added, “The Japanese government will continue to work closely with the Indian government to realise the introduction of the Shinkansen system on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed railway.”

Recently, Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced substantial progress in India’s inaugural bullet train project, slated to begin operations on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai route by 2026. With over six years of effort, more than 290 km of track, including bridges over 8 rivers and the construction of 12 stations out of the total 508 km, have been completed. Minister Vaishnaw expressed confidence, stating, “The project is nearing completion.”

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Indian Railways Sets Rs 5,400 Cr. Scrap Sale Target for Fiscal 2024-25

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Staff Reporter

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26/04/2024

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NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Indian Railways targets Rs 5,400 crore from scrap sales in fiscal year 2024-25, a 3.8% increase from the previous year’s target of Rs 5,200 crore. A recent order from the Railway Board mandates the development of an action plan to meet the target. The directive emphasises maintaining a zero scrap balance, with no scrap from operations exceeding two months in age.

The Northern Railways, which achieved a record-breaking scrap sale of Rs 514.06 crore in fiscal 2023-24, is expected to contribute significantly to this year’s target with a goal of Rs 530 crore.

Scrap Generation in Railway Operations

Scrap generation is a routine aspect of railway operations, particularly in construction and gauge conversion projects. Materials classified as scrap include old rails, sleepers, fixtures, fastenings, fish plates, and various P-Way items that are no longer suitable for use on tracks.

Indian Railways handles many other scrap materials, including condemned coaches, locomotives, wagons, ferrous scrap, bogies, bogie frames, couplers, metal turnings, miscellaneous metal residues, and sweepings.

The sale also extends to used batteries and electrical components such as fans, tube light fittings, unserviceable compressors, and motor generators.

Contributions to Revenue and Environmental Sustainability

Efforts in scrap sales contribute to the Railways’ revenue and support environmental sustainability by facilitating the recycling of a substantial amount of material.

Indian Railways continues to explore ways to enhance efficiency through various measures, including the strategic sale of scrap materials, aiding in clearing accumulated waste and contributing to the financial strengthening of railway infrastructure across India.

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RailTel Expands International Reach with Strategic MOU in South Africa

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Staff Reporter

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26/04/2024

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RailTel signs MoU with InoviTel (PTY) LTD and Tsiko Africa Energy&Infrastructure

PRETORIA (Metro Rail News): RailTel Corporation of India Ltd. (RailTel), a renowned Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Railways, has signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with South African companies InoviTel (PTY) LTD and Tsiko Africa Energy & Infrastructure. This strategic alliance, signed on April 24, 2024, aims to deploy Indian technology and innovations across various sectors in South Africa, including telecom and railways.

The MOU was formalised in Pretoria in the presence of Sh. Prabhat Kumar, High Commissioner of India to South Africa, and Sh. Mahesh Kumar, Consul General of India in Johannesburg. Representing RailTel, Sh. Parag Kumar Goyal, Principal Executive Director /Enterprise Business, exchanged the MOU documents with Mr. Lavine Singh, CEO of InoviTel, and Mr. Pragasen Naidoo, CEO of Tsiko Africa Energy & Infrastructure.

RailTel and South African companies InoviTel (PTY) LTD and Tsiko Africa Energy & Infrastructure officials.

Scope of the MOU

The scope of the MOU is extensive and includes the activation and commercialisation of dark fibre along railway and high-voltage transmission lines in South Africa. It also encompasses advanced solutions such as railway signal and telecommunication systems, digital twin modelling of railway assets for predictive maintenance, and traffic simulation. Additionally, the partnership will provide Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) based Distributed Acoustic System (DAS) for public and private rail operators, connectivity solutions for SA connect/Railway, and private business fibre network operators.

What is dark fibre?

Dark fibre refers to installed but unused optical fibre cables that aren’t currently transmitting data. It offers businesses and organizations the opportunity to lease and manage their private fibre optic network rather than relying on a service provider. Benefits include scalability, low latency, increased security, and reliability compared to leased services. To utilize dark fibre, a business needs to purchase and install its own transmission equipment to activate the fibre, giving them full control over the network. This solution is favoured by large enterprises, data centres, telecom providers, and organizations requiring high-speed, high-capacity, and dedicated network connectivity. In essence, dark fibre provides the infrastructure for businesses to construct their private, high-performance network.

Expanding RailTel’s International Footprint

This collaboration not only enhances RailTel’s international footprint but also supports the digital transformation of South Africa through IT/ICT solutions. RailTel, leveraging its vast experience and infrastructure, including a 61,000+ RKM (Route kilometre) optic fibre network across India, aims to bring state-of-the-art digital solutions to South Africa.

InoviTel and Tsiko Africa Energy & Infrastructure, South African entities, are integral to the South African Indo-Afro Business Association (SAIBA) NPC (Non-Profit Company).

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Rahee and NMC Bids for Nagpur Metro Phase 2 Track Work Contract Under Package T-01

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Staff Reporter

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26/04/2024

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NAGPUR (Metro Rail News): The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (Maha-Metro) opened the technical bid to supply and install ballasted tracks for Nagpur Metro’s Phase 2 project in March 2024 under Package T-01. Rahee Infratech Ltd. and NMC Industries Pvt. Ltd. are the two firms which have submitted their bids for evaluation.

Nagpur Metro: Package T-01

Tender Notice No. N2-034/T-01/2024, also called Package T-01, involves comprehensive track work for a modest 1.746 km at-grade section of the Orange Line’s Reach 1A, which stretches from Khapri to Butibori MIDC ESR.

Under the contract, the winning bidder will be responsible for the Design, Supply, Installation, Testing, and Commissioning of ballasted track in the at-grade section of Reach 1A of the Orange line (Khapri to Butibori MIDC ESR) of NMRP (Nagpur Metro Rail Project) Phase-2

Additionally, the scope encompasses the supply of specialised head-hardened rails designated as 60E1 – 1080 grade HH Rails, track fastenings, and essential 1 in 9 R300 ballasted turnouts for crossovers, facilitating the seamless transition of CRRC trains between tracks. Including other miscellaneous works

This small yet crucial segment connects chainage 19550 to 21296.917 and includes two metro stations: Eco Park Station and Metro City Station.

Project Timelines and Financials

Maha-Metro outlined the project’s specifications and expectations when it opened bids in March 2024. With an estimated budget of Rs. 7.96 crore, the project carries a stringent completion deadline of 150 days, emphasising the urgency and precision required in executing the tasks.

Nagpur Metro's Phase II Map — Nagpur Metro’s Phase II Map

The bids are undergoing a detailed technical evaluation, which is expected to span several months. Upon conclusion, the financial bids of technically qualified bidders will be opened and scrutinised to identify the lowest bid and likely award the contract.

This bid invitation is the second systems-related contract for Phase 2, following the earlier electrical and mechanical contract E&M-02.

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RVNL Strikes Rs. 439 Crore Deal to Reconstruct Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station

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25/04/2024

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KERALA (Metro Rail News): Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has secured a Rs 439 crore project in a joint venture with Kerala Rail Development Corporation (KRDCL) to transform the Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station, further cementing its role in India’s infrastructure growth.

The project, won by the KRDCL-RVNL joint venture, encompasses the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) model to upgrade the Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station. This comprehensive model ensures quality and efficiency throughout the development process.

Timeframe and Execution: The exchange notification highlighted that the project is slated for completion in 42 months.

RVNL and KRDCL Joint Venture

Ownership Split: RVNL and KRDCL have a strategic ownership arrangement in the joint venture, with RVNL holding 49% and KRDCL being the majority partner at 51%.

RVNL and TUMAS’s Synergy: Earlier in the month, RVNL expanded its horizons by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Turkish Engineering Consulting and Contracting-TUMAS India Pvt. Ltd. This partnership aims to strengthen infrastructure and public transport ventures within India.

Financial Highlights

Financial Performance: The company has reported a slight dip in net profits by 6.2% year-over-year, totalling ₹358.6 Crore for the October–December quarter, down from the ₹382.4 Crore earned during the same period last year.

Share Price Movement: Post-announcement, RVNL’s shares saw an uplift, closing at ₹285.5 per share, which is a 2.94% increase.

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