MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): Aurionpro Solutions has secured a new order worth around Rs 50 crore from the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) to expand its Automated Fare Collection (AFC) system on Metro Metro Line 5. This contract strengths the company’s role in Mumbai’s growing metro network and aims to improve the ticketing experience for commuters.
Aurionpro expands Mumbai Metro partnership
Aurionpro Solutions has announced that it has received a new mandate from MMRDA under its transit and smart Mobility business. The company will implement its complete Automated Fare Collection (AFC) solution at six new stations on Mumbai Metro Line 5 – Phase I. This latest order, valued at approximatelyRs 50 crore, builds on Aurionpro’s previous contract for Mumbai Metro Lines 4 and 4A, which the company secured last year. The expanded deployment will help create a more efficient ticketing system across the network.
Scope of work
Under the new order, Aurionpro will provide:
Complete Automated Fare Collection (AFC) solution
Modern ticketing and fare management system
Implementation across six new stations on Mumbai Metro Line 5 – Phase I
Technology designed to improve commuter convenience and operational efficiency
Company statement
Commenting on the order, Sanjay Bali, President of the Technology Innovation Group at Aurionpro Solutions, mentioned that metro networks are expanding rapidly in India and abroad, creating new opportunities for mobility technologies. He added that the company continues to strengthen its position as a preferred technology partner for mass transit operators and is well-positioned to grow in both domestic and international markets with its next-generation mobility solutions.
NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Indian Railways has achieved a landmark moment in South Asian trade connectivity, successfully running the first-ever direct commercial container freight train from Kolkata Port to Biratnagar Customs Yard in Nepal.
The maiden freight train to Biratnagar carried canola oil loaded across 40 wagons, officially writing a new chapter in India’s cross-border rail freight story.
This historic freight train runs on the broad-gauge rail link connecting Jogbani (India) and Biratnagar (Nepal), which was inaugurated back in June 2023.
The real breakthrough, however, came later. After India and Nepal signed a revised Letter of Exchange (LoE) in November 2025, direct commercial rail movement to Biratnagar finally became a reality unlocking fresh possibilities for trade and economic partnership between the two neighbours.
Why does this launch matter?
This new freight corridor isn’t just symbolic; it brings real, practical benefits to trade between the two nations.
The service is set to speed up the transport of both import and export cargo, offering a mode of transportation that’s quicker, more cost-effective, and better for the environment. By cutting out multiple handling points along the route, the new system will noticeably improve overall supply chain efficiency.
Exporters, importers, logistics companies, and industries involved in cross-border commerce all stand to gain from this streamlined new route.
Beyond India-Nepal ties, this launch reflects a broader push positioning India as a growing player in international rail-based trade connectivity.
CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Mr. C. Joseph Vijay visited the under-construction Chennai Metro Phase 2 site at Kathipara Junction on July 29, 2026. He even climbed all the way up to inspect the elevated viaduct standing 101 feet tall being built over the busy clover-leaf interchange. The Kathipara Metro Junction in Guindy will also feature the tallest pillar on the entire Chennai Metro network, standing at about 108 m.
Chennai Metro Phase 2 is a big leap towards true multi-modal connectivity, once operational.The project will link up with other public transport systems, including Suburban Rail, MRTS, and City Bus services, at 21 different locations, making commuting across the city far smoother and more convenient.
Key Features of Chennai Metro Phase 2
The Double-Decker Corridor: Road and Metro, together
A standout feature of Phase II is a double-decker line and station design, where both levels stand on a single pillar for a stretch of about 4 km. This double-decker stretch includes four stations Alwarthirunagar, Valasaravakkam, Karambakkam, and Alapakkam.
Rather than constructing entirely separate structures, the metro corridor shares space directly with State Highway flyovers. This smart integration shows up at several key locations Kattupakkam, MIOT, Thoraipakkam, and Sholinganallur where the metro line runs above or alongside the highway instead of needing its own dedicated corridor.
This design helps save precious space and cuts down on the need for extra land in already congested urban stretches.
Going Underground: Tunnels, Tight Spaces, and a River Crossing
Underground sections were planned because in some locations the width of the roads is as narrow as 10m.
Underground sections will be featured in Pattalam, Thirumayilai, Kutchery, Alwarpet,Kilpauk, Thousand Lights, and Nandanam and Bharathidasan Road .
Among these, the Thirumayilai interchange station stands out as the deepest, plunging nearly 39 m below street level.
At Kilpauk, Thousand Lights, and Nandanam, the new Phase II tunnels have to pass right below the older Phase I tunnels that are already running trains with just a safety gap separating the two.
Diving 15 m below the riverbed level beneath the Adyar River
Near Adyar Junction, Corridor 3 crosses the Adyar River underground. The crown of the tunnel here sits 15 m below the riverbed level .
With its double-decker corridors, deep underground tunnels, and river-crossing engineering, Chennai Metro Phase 2 stands out as one of India’s most ambitious and technically advanced urban transit projects.
KOTA (Metro Rail News): Trials of India’s first Vande Bharat Freight EMU prototype officially started on Wednesday, 29 July 2026.
The 16-coach electric freight train, developed by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, is now undergoing nearly a month of intensive testing on the Kota-Nagda-Sawai Madhopur high-speed corridor. The tests are being conducted by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO).
During the trials, the train successfully touched a top speed of 145 km/h. A minimum of two round trips will be conducted every day to evaluate its real-world performance.
A New Era of High-Speed Freight Begins!
The future of freight transportation in Indian Railways has taken a major leap forward as the country's first Vande Bharat platform-based Freight EMU begins its technical trials in West Central Railway's Kota Division.
The Vande Bharat Freight EMU consists of 16 coaches in total, including 2 Driving Trailer Coaches (DTC), 2 Non-Driving Trailer Coaches, and 12 parcel coaches.
Designed for heavy cargo movement, it offers an axle payload capacity of over 20 tonnes and a total payload capacity of 397 tonnes.
The train is equipped with modern features such as refrigerated parcel facilities, forced ventilation, pneumatic retractable roller flooring, and an advanced propulsion system.
Compared to conventional cargo trains that typically run at 60-70 km/h, this Vande Bharat Freight EMU aims for a much higher average operating speed of 80-90 km/h.
Safety features-
From a safety point of view, all doors automatically lock when the train’s speed exceeds 5 km/h. Additionally, the rake cannot be operated unless all doors are fully closed.
The train is also equipped with Indian Railways’ indigenous Kavach anti-collision system.
Details of Testing & Safety Trials
The tests include, oscillation and speed trials at speeds of 120,130,140 and 145km/h will be carried out in loaded and inflated conditions.
Other tests are Emergency Braking Distance (EBD),Coupler force trials, curve performance test,traction,breaking and jerk test, regenerative energy and PAPIS tests, signal and telecom interference test, door operations and other safety test, static test related to interior system such as CCTV, lighting, onboard electrical systems and short circuit.
If the current tests become successful, the Vande Bharat Freight EMU could transform India’s cargo transportation with faster, safer, more reliable, and eco-friendly freight services.
PATNA (Metro Rail News): Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has invited bids for Patna Metro Phase 1 Project. The tender work includes Pre-Engineering Building (PEB) works at seven elevated stations and architectural finishing of three stations including Mithapur, Ramkrishna Nagar and Jaganpura. The cost of work is estimated at ₹52.02 Cr.
Tender Information
Information
Details
Tender No.
PC-04AR
Approximate Cost of Work
₹52.02 Cr
Completion Period
18 Months
Pre-Bid Meeting
August 06, 2026 (11:00 hrs.)
Bid Submission Opening
August 20, 2026 (09:00 hrs.)
Bid Submission Deadline
August 27, 2026 (15:00 hrs.)
Scope of Work
The scope of work of the contract include design, fabrication, supply, erection & roof sheeting of Pre-Engineered Building (PEB) structures at seven (07) elevated stations namely Danapur, Saguna Mor, RPS Mor, Patliputra, Mithapur, Ramkrishna Nagar and Jaganpura and Architectural Finishing Works including water supply, sanitary installation, drainage, site development works at three (03) elevated stations namely Mithapur, Ramkrishna Nagar and Jaganpura of corridor-1 of Patna MRTS Phase-I Project.
Stations for PEB Structure work:
Danapur
Saguna Mor
RPS Mor
Patliputra
Mithapur
Ramkrishna Nagar
Jaganpura
Stations for Architectural Finishing Work:
Mithapur
Ramkrishna Nagar
Jaganpura
About Patna Metro
Patna Metro project is a mass rapid transit system expected to foster connectivity in Patna, the capital of Bihar. The project is currently operational in a priority corridor. The full proposed network is projected to expand the metro system to 32.5 km, with 24 stations.
NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Indian Railways has approved a ₹163-crore project to modernise the electric traction system on the Parbhani-Mudkhed double-line section in the Nanded Division of South Central Railway.
The project involves upgrading the existing 1×25 kV traction system to the more efficient 2×25 kV system across 164 track kilometres.
The Parbhani-Mudkhed section is part of the highly important Highly Utilised Network (HUN) Route-9, which connects major cities including Ajmer, Indore, Khandwa, Akola, Purna, Mudkhed, Secunderabad, Mahbubnagar, and Dhone.
This upgrade is expected to significantly boost the section’s power supply, improve operational efficiency, and increase carrying capacity. It will play a key role in Indian Railways’ target of achieving 3,000 million tonnes of freight loading by 2029-30.
The enhanced traction system will also support smoother operations of high-speed trains like the Vande Bharat Express on this busy corridor.
This strategic development marks a major step towards strengthening one of India’s high-density freight routes and improving overall network capacity.
PUNE (Metro Rail News): Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited has submitted the revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Bhakti Shakti–Wakad–Nashik Phata–Chakan Metro Corridor under Pune Metro Phase 2 for the approval of Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).
The ambitious project is estimated to cost ₹12,937.23 crore. The DPR has now been placed before the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) for approval. The discussions on the corridor started nearly 2 years ago; the long wait for the corridor is finally over.
Spanning 45.295 km with 34 stations, this corridor is designed to efficiently meet the growing mobility needs of Pimpri-Chinchwad and surrounding areas. This new metro line is expected to provide much-needed connectivity and boost urban development in the region.
(Map of new Metro Corridor from official linkedin post of Mahesh Landge, MLA of Pimpri Chinchwad )
Integration of New Metro Corridor with Existing & Upcoming Lines
The new Bhakti Shakti–Wakad–Nashik Phata–Chakan Metro Corridor (Pune Metro Phase 2) will create three strategic integrations with existing and upcoming lines. This will ensure seamless connectivity between IT parks, industrial zones, and residential hubs across Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune.
(Red points represent all points of Integration of the new Metro Corridor with Existing & Upcoming Lines )
Key Integration Points with Purple Line (Line 1)
1) Bhakti Shakti, Nigdi in Metro Line 1 (Purple Line)(Under construction)
Bhakti Shakti stations on the Purple Line (Line 1) will serve as major interchange points. These stations, currently under construction, will act as the northern terminals of Pune Metro. Located along the Old Mumbai-Pune Highway, they are vital gateways to the PCMC industrial belt. This strategic connection will greatly enhance accessibility for the new Phase 2 corridor.
2) Sant Tukaram Nagar in Metro Line 1(Purple Line)
Sant Tukaram Nagar Metro Station on the Purple Line will function as a primary multimodal transit hub. Situated on the Old Mumbai-Pune Highway, it will seamlessly link intercity transport hubs, large industrial zones, densely populated residential areas, and academic institutions.
These smart integrations will deliver smooth last-mile connectivity, reduce travel time, and support efficient movement between industrial zones, transport hubs, residential colonies, and academic areas in the region.
Key Integration Point with Pink Line (Line 3)(Awaiting inaguration)
Wakad Chowk in Metro line 3 (Pink line)
Wakad Chowk is a key elevated station on Pune Metro Line 3 (Pink Line), providing direct connectivity between Hinjewadi and Civil Court.It serves as a major multimodal junction along the Mumbai-Bengaluru Highway (NH-48) and offers excellent access to Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park in Hinjewadi.
This integration point will be strategically important for the new Bhakti Shakti–Wakad–Nashik Phata–Chakan Corridor, enabling seamless travel between the IT hub of Hinjewadi, industrial areas, and other parts of the city.
This well-planned network is set to transform daily commuting and boost economic growth in Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune.
The revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) must first be approved by the PCMC General Body Meeting. Then it will be forwarded for clearance from the Maharashtra State Government and the Central Government.
KOLKATA (Metro Rail News): Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has invited e-tenders for the construction of 10 elevated metro stations and an elevated viaduct for the Baranagar-Barrackpore Metro Corridor in Kolkata, West Bengal. The estimated cost of the contract is Rs 1,587.39 crore and it marks a major step in the expansion of the Kolkata Metro network.
Tender details
Information
Details
Tender Number
RVNL_KOL_METRO_BBVS
Estimated Cost
Rs 1,587.39 crore
Tender Closing Date
29 September 2026, 11:00 AM
Pre-bid Meeting
25 August 2026, 11:30 AM
Earnest Money Deposit (EMD)
Rs 2 crore
Completion Period
42 months
Bid Validity
120 days
Scope of work
The selected contractor will construct 10 NOS. elevated metro stations and viaduct from Baranagar Metro Station (Excluding) to Mangal Pandey Metro Station (CH: 4.68 km to CH: 16.98 km approx.) in connection with Baranagar-Barrackpore Metro Corridor of Kolkata Metro Railway Line, West Bengal, India.
About the project
The Baranagar-Barrackpore Metro Corridor, also known as Kolkata Metro Pink Line (Line 5), is a major metro project designed to connect the northern suburbs directly with the core Kolkata Metro network. The corridor will extend metro services beyond Baranagar and improve connectivity to key residential and commercial areas, including Barrackpore. The Package BBVS covers the stretch from Baranagar Metro Station (excluding) to Mangal Pandey Metro Station, where RVNL plans to construct 10 elevated metro stations along with an elevated viaduct.
MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): Indian Railways is working on the Kavach 5.0 version, which will be implemented on Mumbai’s Suburban Network (or the Mumbai Locals) with enhanced safety features and to allow more frequent train services. Kavach 5.0 will be an advanced system with improved safety standards and upgrades following the feedback of the previous versions. The system is also envisioned for India’s premium train, Vande Bharat 4.0.
The Kavach 5.0 version was announced in April, 2025. It will be an advanced signalling and safety system designed for the suburban regions. It will reduce the inter-train headway distance with its fast signalling system leading to an increase in the frequency of trains. Upon implementation, this will provide relief to the daily commuters of the Mumbai Locals.
Kavach is India’s indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system. It is an initiative to foster “Made in India” railway technology and reduce dependence on foreign imports. Further, it is made specially keeping in mind the challenges of the Indian terrain and environmental conditions.
Working Mechanism of Kavach
Kavach has two components, trackside and on-board. These components operate through continuous real time communication using Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radio antenna and Radio Frequency Identification tags mounted on the tracks. The trackside ATP system contains the information regarding the permitted speed in a particular track and the gradients. The on board ATP system monitors the train speed and provides critical information to the loco pilot.
The main objective of the Kavach system is to assess the signals and launch automatic brakes in any of the cases such as if the train passes a Signal Passed At Danger (SPAD), if the loco pilot collapses, and if the train passes the permitted speed limit. Thus, the system prevents any potential collisions and accidents ensuring safe operations.
Evolution of Kavach
Initially, India was dependent on foreign imports for train protection technology. To reduce this dependence and have Indian condition-friendly options, the development of Kavach was initiated. The first field trials of the system began in 2016. In 2018-19, the Kavach 3.2 version was approved and the latest version, Kavach 4.0, was approved in July 2024. The upcoming version 5.0 is currently under development.
SECUNDERABAD (Metro Rail News): South Central Railway has floated a tender for construction and operation of Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal in Railway land at Nacharam in Manoharabad-Kothapalli section under Hyderabad division.
Tender Details
Details
Information
Tender Number
Y/C.140/GCT/EOI/NCRM/MOB-KPHI/2026
Tender submission starting date
27 July, 2026 from 10.00
Tender submission end date
10 August, 2026 up to 17.00
Location
Secunderabad
Division
Hyderabad
Scope of Work
The scope of work includes construction and operation of Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal in Railway land at Nacharam in Manoharabad-Kothapalli section.
About Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals
Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals (GCTs) are modern cargo facilities being developed under the Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal (GCT) Policy 2021 of the Ministry of Railways. These terminals seamlessly integrate rail with road, sea, and air transport to create efficient multi-modal logistics hubs. The Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GCTs) are essential to this vision, advancing modern logistics that will bolster India’s status as a global trade hub.Cargo Terminals are the strategic hubs to strengthen India’s logistics ecosystem.
