Engineers Develop Himalayan Tunnelling Method for Katra-Banihal Section of the Kashmir rail Link Project

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23/10/2023

New Delhi (Metro rail News): The Engineers involved with the construction of the Kashmir Rail Link have developed a new Tunneling Method called the Himalayan tunnelling method to construct Tunnel-01 on the Katra-Banihal section of the Kashmir rail link project.

The length of the Tunnel would be 3.2 km with a tube shape. It is located at the foot of Trikuta hills in the Katra-Reasi section of the Project. The section has been termed as the most trickiest section of the project.

To count, the challenges are:

Mountainous Terrain: The area is characterised by steep, mountainous terrain with varying elevations. The Himalayan mountains are known for their high peaks, deep valleys, and rugged landscapes. Such a terrain poses heavy and indispensable challenges for constructing Tunnels, etc.
Geological Challenges: The Himalayas are geologically active, with tectonic forces continuously shaping the landscape that results in complex geological conditions, such as the presence of different types of rocks, fault lines, and potential for landslides, which can pose significant challenges for tunnel construction.
Harsh Weather Conditions: The Himalayan region experiences extreme weather conditions, including heavy snowfall in the winter and monsoon rains in the summer that can lead to issues such as snow accumulation, landslides, and flooding, which need to be considered in the design and construction of infrastructure projects like railways.

The New Tunneling method involves providing pre-excavation support measures to tackle the flowing conditions encountered while excavating the tunnel. It aims to stabilise the soil and rock structure before excavation begins. It differs significantly from NATM, as NATM primarily relies on immediate support using lattice girders and shotcrete after excavation.

This method involves making stress-release holes and wing drainage holes to allow the strata to relax and lose water. This is done to address the geological challenges of the Himalayan terrain. NATM may use different methods for dealing with groundwater and strata pressure, but it doesn’t mention stress-release and drainage holes as part of its standard procedure.

The Himalayan Method is specifically developed to address the unique challenges of the Himalayan geological conditions. In contrast, the NATM is a widely recognised tunnelling method used in various parts of the world, including Austria, and adapted to local geological conditions.

The engineers also had to change the alignment of the train to ensure that a very short length of the rail link passed through the tricky terrain.

Work on the rail link has held up since 2017, but the engineers hope to complete it by early next year. The project involves the construction of 27 main tunnels & 8 escape tunnels, along with 37 bridges that include 26 Major & 11 Minor bridges.

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Nagasandra to Madavara and RV Road to Bommasandra stretches of Bangalore metro to be active by April 2024

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Staff Reporter

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21/10/2023

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CM of Karnataka made the affirmation in his address after the inauguration of two stretches of the Purple Line.

BANGALORE (Metro Rail News): Chief Minister of Karnataka on Friday affirmed that the Nagasandra to Madavara (3.14 km) and RV Road Metro Station to Bommasandra (19.15 km) will be made open for Public use by April 2024.

Nagasandra to Madavara is the northern extension of 3.8 Km or the green line that currently runs north to south and connects Nagasandra in the northwest to Silk Institute in the southwest. Covering a distance of 30.4 kilometres. It runs through key industrial areas like Peenya & Yeshwanthpur in the north and Commercial Hubs like City Market and Majestic.

The RV Road Metro Station to Bommasandra stretch runs along ORR & Hosur Road and is called the Yellow Line. This line will increase the metro accessibility for the population in Electronic City & Bommasandra industrial areas. Currently, the Bangalore metro has two active lines, namely Green Line & Purple Line, taking its total operational length to about 74 km.

The Chief Minister also requested the Prime Minister to approve the DPR for Phase III of the Bangalore metro, which entails two lines. First connecting JP Nagar to Kempapura & the Second connecting Hoshalli to Kadbagere. The total length for Phase III would be 45 km.

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NAGPUR METRO: A METRO SYSTEM FOR EVERYONE WITH A FEEDER BROAD GAUGE METRO

By

Priyanka Sahu

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21/10/2023

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Nagpur Metro: An Overview

Nagpur Metro Rail is Maharashtra’s new rapid transport system. The MRTS spans 38.21 kilometres. Nagpur Metro is a modern public transportation system that operates in Nagpur City. It is in its early stages, with 24 metro stations and a total route length of 26.1 km. Nagpur Metro is being constructed in two phases, each with a single line. The system is based on a three-coach train that travels at Nagpur Metro and operates on standard gauge lines with overhead wires producing 25 kV AC. The vehicle’s maximum speed is 90 kilometres per hour, while its average speed is 33 kilometres per hour. The concept was proposed in 2012 when cities with a population of over 20 lakh became eligible for a metro rail system. The government’s decision made twelve cities in India eligible for metro rail, including Nagpur. Then-Union Minister for Urban Development Kamal Nath suggested a metro rail in Nagpur and sought a detailed project study from the state government. The Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) signed a deal with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on February 22, 2012, to develop the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Nagpur’s metro rail. The Central Ministry allocated Rs. 2.4 crore to the State Government to carry out the comprehensive and detailed project work.

The Cabinet approved and permitted the establishment of Nagpur Metro Rail Corporation Limited (NMRCL), currently designated and known as Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MAHA-METRO), to carry out the project. Maha Metro is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) formed to ensure the seamless execution and operation of the Nagpur Metro Rail Project. It is a 50:50 joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Maharashtra. Maha Metro will exclusively be responsible for the project’s successful and timely completion and ongoing operations.

The initial cost of Phase I of the metro project was expected to be around Rs. 8,650 crores, which was later revalued and the final cost was estimated to be Rs. 9,279 crores. The Maharashtra government approved the project in February 2014. The Union Cabinet also approved the project on August 20 2014. PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone on August 21 during his visit to the city. The project’s construction began on May 31, 2015, with the trial run beginning on September 30, 2017.

On March 8, 2019, the Prime Minister, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Cabinet Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the operations of the Nagpur Metro.

Through video conference. With the inauguration, Nagpur Metro became India’s 13th operational metro system. Nagpur Metro is referred to as the country’s greenest metro system. The then Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray, inaugurated a 1.6-kilometre extension between Sitabuldi and Kasturchand Park on August 21, 2021. This included the Zero Mile Freedom Park station, which also features a 60,000-square-foot park and a 20-story skyscraper created by a French architect. On December 11, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurated Phase 1 of the Nagpur Metro and laid the groundwork for Phase 2. Phase II work is currently underway.

Metro Lines:

Nagpur Metro currently has two lines in operation.

They are as follows:

• Sitabuldi to Khapri:

The Orange Line Metro or Line 1

• Sitabuldi to Lokmanya Nagar:

The Aqua Line Metro or Line 2

Orange Line in Nagpur Metro Rail

Line 1 is also known as the Orange Line. It opened its first section to passengers and travellers on March 8, 2019. The distance covered by the Orange Line is 13.5 kilometres, starting from Sitabuldi and ending at Khapri station. There are now eleven stoppages on the route, with twenty stations planned. Line 1 runs north-south, connecting the city’s core and southern districts. The Orange Line has been extended in both directions, with 20 stops and a travel length of about 23 km. It runs from Khapri to Metro City in the south and from Sitabuldi to Automotive Square in the north.

Aqua Line

The Aqua Line, which runs from Prajapati Nagar to Hingna Mount View Metro Station, has 19.407 kilometres and 21 stations. The Aqua Line’s metro stations are all elevated. On January 28, 2020, the Nagpur Metro’s Aqua Line became partially operational. Both the Aqua Line and The Orange Line share a single interchange station.

The North-South Corridor: Orange Line

Khapri, New Airport, Airport, Ujwal Nagar, Jayprakash Nagar, Chhatrapati Square, Ajni Square, Rahate Colony, Congress Nagar, Sitabuldi, Zero Mile, Kasturchand Park, Gaddigodam Square, Kadvi Square, Indora Square, Nari Road, and Automotive Square are the stations on the Orange Line.

East-West Corridor: Aqua Line

Prajapati Nagar, Vaishno Devi Square, Ambedkar Square, Telephone Exchange, ChittarOli Square, Agrasen Square, Dosar Vaisya Square, Nagpur Railway Station, Sitabuldi, Jhansi

Rani Square, Institute of Engineers, Shankar Nagar Square, LAD Square, Dharampeth College, Subhash Nagar, Rachana Ring Road Junction, Vasudev Nagar, Bansi Nagar and Lokmanya Nagar are the various stations along the Aqua Line.

Interchange Station

The Sitabuldi Metro Station in Nagpur’s Sitabuldi area shall act as an interchange station for commuters desiring to switch their journey or transition from the Orange Line to the Aqua Line. The station is a T-shaped structure of 250,000 square feet.

Metro Connectivity

Initiatives such as battery-powered vehicles are also a part of the Nagpur Metro project; it provides pedestrian facilities and options like bicycle sharing and vehicle renting for last-mile connectivity. Twenty-four metro stations are operational, while fourteen metro stations are under construction. Further, the total route length planned for the Nagpur Metro Rail is 43.8 kilometres.

Station Facilities

Every station of the Nagpur Metro station is being built distinctively, with the motto ‘Metro for Everyone.’ In addition to convenient access, these metro stations have a childcare facility room and CCTV surveillance. Further, these metro stations offer first-rate facilities for physically disabled travellers and provide multi-modal amenities.

Automated Fare Collection System

Nagpur Metro Rail Ticketing is a cutting-edge Automated Fare Collection System that uses Contactless Fare Media Technology. The fare collection process categorises metro stations as paid or unpaid. Automatic entry/exit gates and barriers separate the paid and unpaid zones. It ensures that only those who have a valid ticket can enter the system. The system is designed to be closed with ticket checks at entry and exit, ensuring that all tickets are checked a hundred per cent % of the time.

Tickets for Contactless Smart Cards (CSC) and Contactless Smart Tokens (CST) are available. Tokens are pre-paid fare media that can travel between fixed stations. Tokens, purchased for a single or return trip, are a better fare media option for occasional riders. Contactless Smart Cards have stored-value cards that can be monetary (e-Purse), non-monetary (Pass), or a combination of both, and offer a variety of features to entice regular and frequent users.

The AFC System accepts a variety of passes/tickets and has a price structure based on stage. It’s also extensible and adaptable enough to support alternative fare structures/ ticketing options, such as flat fares, time-based fares, free transfers across modes, etc.

SBI MAHA Card

As consortium leader, SBI and its AFC and System Integrator partners implemented the Nagpur Metro Project’s Automated Fare Collection (AFC) system. The MAHA Card contains a stored value balance allowing offline transactions at Nagpur metro stations. After concluding the journey, passengers must tap their MAHA Card at the platform’s entry gate and then again at the destination station’s exit gate.

The card incorporates a dual interface (EMV chip) with stored value functionality for a secure, convenient, and seamless payment process. Metro riders can obtain an MAHA Card by applying at a metro station’s ticket counter. Before authenticating a one-time PIN provided to their phone number, commuters must fill up basic information in an application form. Commuters must pay a one-time card issuing charge of INR 150 after completing the application process and then top up the card with a minimum of INR 100 and multiples of INR 100, up to INR 2,000, for hassle-free metro travel. The MAHA card features a one-of-a-kind feature called stored value balance, which allows users to undertake offline transactions at Nagpur Metro stations. After the exit tap, The fare amount will automatically deducted from the card’s stored value balance. Ticket Readers (TRs) at metro stations allow commuters to check the balance of their MAHA cards.

App for Purchasing Tickets

The Nagpur Metro’s official ticketing mobile application makes purchasing tickets simple and easy. It allows the users to order tickets, look up station information, check routes, see first and last train schedules, and locate nearby tourist sites. It also allows passengers and travellers to contact the metro station and provide feedback on its services and features. Metro riders will find all the necessary information in the app, including how to purchase a ticket. The app is handy for tourists since it takes visitors and passengers to the nearest Metro station and sites of interest and provides other transit-related information.

Guinness World Records

The Nagpur metro has achieved the coveted Guinness World Record for building the largest double-decker viaduct for a metro line. The Nagpur Metro Wardha Road, part of the viaduct, is approximately 3.14 kilometres long. Brajesh Dixit, MD of Maharashtra Metro, received the record certificate from the Guinness World Record management at the elicitation ceremony. He stated that building the viaduct was one of the most challenging aspects of the metro project.

The Asia and India Books of Records have already recognised the stretch as the longest viaduct in Asia and India, respectively. The concerned viaduct is a double-decker viaduct built in collaboration with the National Highways Development Authority (NHAI) and Maharashtra Metro. While the first layer has an existing highway, the second layer has a flyover highway, and the third tier has Nagpur metro rail. The flyover highway is nine metres above the ground, while the Nagpur metro level is roughly twenty metres. A similar construction has also been proposed for Pune’s Ganeshkhind Road.

The Nagpur Broad Gauge Metro

Nagpur Broad Gauge Metro is a 268.63 km regional rapid transit system (RRTS) that proposes to use existing Central Railways tracks to connect Nagpur with nearby towns Wardha, Katol, Narkhed, Ramtek, and Bhandara via a modern, comfortable railway system. The DPR (Detailed Project Report) for Nagpur Broad Gauge Metro was prepared by Urban Mass Transit Company (UMTC) in 2019, which envisioned the project to cost Rs 418 crore, half of which has been expected to be incurred and spent buying present-day rolling stock and equipment. The Railway Board approved the DPR in November 2019, and the Maharashtra state cabinet approved it in October 2020. The DPR proposes a loan covering seventy per cent of the overall cost, with the other thirty per cent to be financed and shared equally between Maharashtra and the central government.

Project Detail & Key Information:

• Operational: 0 km

• Under Construction: 0 km

• Approved: 0 km

• Proposed: 268.63 km

• Top Speed: 200 Kmph

• Operating Speed: 160 Kmph

• Track Gauge: Broad Gauge (1676 mm)

• Rolling Stock: 3 coaches (DT-T-DT)

• Capacity: 885 passengers

• Expected Deadline: 2025

Cost Details

• Project Cost: Rs 418 Crores

• Rolling Stock: Rs. 200 cr

• Depot: Rs. 80 cr

• Station Integration with Nagpur Metro: Rs. 25 cr

• Station upgrades: Rs 23.12 cr

• IT Infrastructure: Rs. 15 cr

• Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) System: Rs. 11.64 cr

• Pre-operative / Admin Expenses: Rs. 4.97 cr

• Taxes: Rs. 48 cr

Route Information

Line 1: Nagpur – Wardha

• Length: 78.8 km

• Estimated Daily Ridership: 5,669

• End-to-End Travel Time: 70 mins

• Number of Stations: Thirteen (13)

• Stations: Nagpur Junction, Ajni, Khapri, Gumgaon, Bori, Borkhedi, Sindi, Tuljapur, Dahegaon, Seloo Road, Varud, Sewagram, Wardha Junction.

Line-2: Nagpur – Narkhed

• Length: 85.53 km

• Estimated Daily Ridership: 2,616

• End-to-End Travel Time: 75 mins

• Number of Stations: Eleven (11)

• Stations: Nagpur Junction, Godhani, Bharatwada, Kalmeshwar, Kohali, Sonkhamb, Metpanjra, Katol, Kalambha, Tinkheda, Narkher Junction

Line-3: Nagpur – Ramtek

• Length: 41.6 km

• Estimated Daily Ridership: 3,929

• End-to-End Travel Time: 60 mins

• Number of Stations: 7 (Seven)

• Stations: Nagpur Junction, Kalamna, Kamptee, Kanhan Junction, Dumri Khurd, Amdi Halt, Ramtek

Line-4: Nagpur – Bhandara Road

• Length: 62.7 km

• Estimated Daily Ridership: 2,556

• End-to-End Travel Time: 55 mins

• Number of Stations: 8 (Eight)

• Stations: Nagpur Junction, Kalamna, Kamptee, Kanhan Junction, Chacher, Rewral, Khat,

Bhandara Road

The commuter rail project (Nagpur BG-Metro) planned for Nagpur and extended up to adjacent areas of Wardha, Yavatmal, Narkhed, Ramtek, Bhandara, Amravati, Wadsa, and Chhindwara (also Nagbhid shortly) in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region has been planned to be executed by Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited. According to sources, the first broad gauge metro will run via Wardha in December 2023 on the Nagpur to Yavatmal line.

Urban Mass Transit Company has prepared a feasibility report regarding identifying routes and corridors and the viability of the metro system. Four routes of approximately 270 km have been proposed at Rs.418 crore. Three coach trains have been planned to run on the broad gauge tracks at a maximum operating speed of 160 km/h. Each train can carry 885 passengers. In August 2019, the detailed project report was submitted. Wardha 5,669, Narkhed 2,616, Ramtek 3,929, and Bhandara Road 2,556 are the estimated ridership figures for the Metro routes in 2021. The maximum design speed is projected to be around 200 km/h. In March 2019, the Maharashtra government approved a broad gauge metro plan. The DPR was approved by the Railway Board, Ministry of Railways, Government of India in November 2019. The proposed routes are as follows:

• Nagpur – Wardha – Yavatmal

• Nagpur – Wardha – Amravati

• Nagpur – Wardha – Chandrapur

• Nagpur – Bhandara

• Nagpur – Ramtek

• Nagpur – Narkhed

Interchanges have been proposed at Khapri, Nagpur Railway Station, and Ajni with Phase 1 of the Nagpur Metro.

Summary & Conclusion:

Nagpur Metro provides citizens with a quick, dependable, and inexpensive mode of transportation. It registered the highest single-day ridership of nearly 2 lakh 20 thousand passengers in the first week of 2023. BG Metro services will be rolled out in phases depending on its efficacy and success. After being interfaced with railway stations at mutually agreed-upon locations, they will serve as a feeder service to the Nagpur Metro rail project.

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First U Girder Launched on Janakpuri West to RK Ashram Extension of Delhi Metro’s Magenta Line

By

Staff Reporter

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21/10/2023

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A 27.90 m long U-girder was launched on the DC-01A package of the Delhi Metro by HGIEL in a record nine months. P.C: Adarsh tripathi

DELHI (Metro Rail News): The first U-girder for the Delhi Metro’s DC-01A package was launched by H.G. Infra Engineering Limited (HGIEL).

The contract was awarded to HGIEL in January 2023, and this milestone was recorded along the northbound lanes in Paschim Vihar. It was originally a part of Delhi Metro’s 12.375 Km long DC-01 package that was awarded to CECC-KEC JV in November 2019. It included the construction of 4 stations, namely Keshopur, Paschim Vihar, Peeragarhi & Mangolpuri.

DC01As U Girder 02 — P.C: Adarsh Tripathi

A few portions of the Krishna Park Extension ramp-Mangolpuri section were held up owing to some environmental clearances. The DC-01 package was then spun off to produce a separate DC-01A package.

The Contract for the Dc-01A package was awarded to HGIEL in January 2023 at an estimated cost of Rs 412.111 crore, for which the First pier (P116) was installed in June 2023.

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PM Modi Dedicates Two Stretches of Bangalore Metro to The Nation

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Staff Reporter

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21/10/2023

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PM Modi dedicates two stretches of Bangalore Metro to the nation through VC

BANGALORE (Metro Rail News): PM Modi dedicated the KR Puram-Baiyyappanahalli & Kengeri-Challaghatta stretches of the Purple Line of the Bnagloare metro to the nation on 20th October through video conferencing.

The event was witnessed by the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka. PMO India, in a tweet, said, ” I congratulate all the people of Bengaluru for the new metro facility: PM”. PM Modi did the inauguration from Uttar Pradesh itself, where he was already there to flag off the Namo Bharat trains.

The Chief Minister of Karnataka, in a tweet, said,” Delighted by the complete launch of the Purple Line in #Bengaluru Metro! Our monumental step towards better connectivity, reduced traffic, and a greener city. Together, we’re moving #Karnataka forward, ensuring every citizen reaches their destination more efficiently”.

Purple line Bangalore Metro Inauguration 02 1

The two stretches had passed the CMRS inspection by the first week of October, after which they were thrown open for commercial operations without any formal inauguration owing to public pressure. With this, the Operational length of the Bangalore Metro Network achieved a figure of 74 Km.

The Purple line of the Bangalore Metro runs between Challaghatta and Whitefield, covering major stations related to IT hubs in between. It has reduced the travelling time of the people of Bangalore, a traffic-stricken city. It saves the travel time by 40%. The total ridership for the same has gone up to 7.5 Lakhs per day.

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India’s first Semi High-Speed Regional Train by Alstom- RAPIDX 1 gets inaugurated, sets a new world standard in advanced signalling technology

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Staff Reporter

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20/10/2023

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NEW DELHI (Metro rail News): India’s Rail Revolution reached a milestone today with the inauguration of RAPIDX with its rolling stock and signalling solutions provided by Alstom India. India’s first semi-high-speed regional rail service was flagged off today by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, alongside the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath and other government dignitaries. The first phase, i.e., The Duhai-Sahibabad section (17 kms) of the Delhi-Meerut corridor, which will be operational from 21 October for the general public, also marks the world debut of the Level 3 ETCS (European Train Control System). This will not only contribute to safety but also will facilitate interoperability, reduce wait time and enable efficiency. It will be equipped with Automatic Train Operation (ATO) over Long Term Evolution (LTE) in the future to further increase network performance and capacity.

Designed and manufactured in India, the RAPIDX reinstates Alstom’s commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat with end-to-end engineering, manufacturing and signalling work done in India. In the last two years, Alstom’s 360+ engineers & and designers devoted thousands of safe manhours and ran hundreds of hours of tests to deliver the phase-I commitments to National Capital Region Transport Corporation Ltd. (NCRTC). The company is aiming to also achieve its delivery commitments by 2025.

Commenting on this landmark moment, Olivier Loison, Managing Director – Alstom India, said, “It is a moment of pride for us at Alstom to yet again be a part of India’s Rail Revolution. RAPIDX will be a first-of-its-kind experience for Indian commuters because of its speed, advanced technology and passenger experience. This project also marks the world premiere of several new Signaling technologies, which will set new benchmarks in the rail space globally. All of this is set to make Sustainable Mobility at scale real in India. These Made in India trains reflect our robust capabilities, and we are truly humbled to be contributing to India’s rail-based infrastructure growth.”

Alstom built RAPIDX sets a new world standard in advanced signalling technology

World Debut of Signaling Technologies Towards Modernization and Improved Efficiencies

Alstom India is making the world debut of the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level Three signalling, with integrated Platform Screen Doors using Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication with the RAPIDX. These solutions are designed and stacked together to provide the utmost safety to passengers. A key feature of the technology being introduced in RRTS is interoperability, which facilitates seamless commuter movement across the corridors without the hassle of changing the trains for passengers. ETCS signalling system will not only facilitate interoperability but will also allow to optimise the usage of existing infrastructure, thus reducing the waiting time for passengers. This signalling system provides a high level of safety for trains running at a close headway of 180 seconds by virtual block implementation (hybrid level 3) to ensure continuous and safe separation and eliminate accidents due to human error. This service also comes with an Automatic Train Protection (ATP), Traffic Management System (TMS), and Platform Screen Door (PSD) sub-systems using Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication between the trackside and the train.

A One-of-its-Kind ‘Make in India’ Marvel

Designed at Alstom’s Hyderabad Engineering Centre and manufactured at Savli (Gujarat), these trains perfectly align with the government’s Make-in-India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat ambition. The rolling stock is based on Alstom’s ‘commuter’ train family, incorporating worldwide experience. The propulsion systems and electricals are manufactured at the company’s factory in Maneja (Gujarat).

The RAPIDX will play a key role in promoting balanced and sustainable economic development of the region. The advanced, eco-friendly design will bring significant efficiencies through the incorporation of energy-saving technologies, including the modern car body, reliable bogies, efficient propulsion system and regenerative braking.

Outstanding ergonomics, safety and comfort, low life cycle costs and high recyclability also contribute to making these new commuter trains an attractive, sustainable choice to promote public transport, thereby reducing traffic congestion, air pollution and fuel consumption. They help to save travel costs and time as well as to change the lives of millions of citizens by connecting suburban places with the economic centre of the region.

Alstom and RAPIDX Project Commitment

In 2020, Alstom was awarded the contract, and the scope of work includes:

Design, build, and deliver the trainsets. Delivery of 210 commuter and transit train cars.
Design, supply and install the Signaling, train control and Telecommunication system, Platform Screen Door &, and long-term Evolution, which is completed for the 17km priority section for the launch.
Provide comprehensive maintenance services for 15 years.

The primary purpose of this Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) is to relieve the traffic congestion in the national capital and de-urbanize the city by allowing faster commutes between nearby satellite towns. Since 2002, after the opening of 1st section of DMRC, the metro network has grown at a rapid pace. The RRTS network will complement the metro and is expected to grow very fast in the country.

Alstom designed the train inspired by Delhi’s iconic monument, the Lotus Temple, and unveiled it in September 2020. It is a game changer in the commuter and inter-regional rail transport space, which is set to change the way India travels.

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PM Narendra Modi Flags off India’s First Namo Bharat Train on Delhi-Meerut RRTS Corridor

By

Staff Reporter

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20/10/2023

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NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): PM Narendra Modi today inaugurated India’s first RAPIDX train named Namo Bharat from Sahibababd Station. The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh & Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs at the event.

Untitled design 2023 10 20T135207.141 — PM Modi, along with the CM of UP, taking a ride in the Namo Bharat train

Prime Minister flagged off the train at 10:00 AM this morning. Along with this, PM also launched the commuter App- a companion for seamless commuting in Namo Bharat trains. It will serve as a single platform for digital ticket booking, station navigation & trip planning. The trains were renamed Namo Bharat on 19th October 2023, a day before the inauguration.

The Namo Bharat trains will run at a maximum speed of 180 kmph, costing around Rs 20- Rs 50 for standard coaches & Rs 50- Rs 100 for premium Coaches. The trains would run at a frequency of a train every 15 minutes that can even be brought down to 5 minutes, depending on the demand.

The Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor is being built at a cost of Rs 30,000 crore. The priority corridor inaugurated by PM Modi spans 17 Km with five stations: Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guildhar, Duhai, and Duhai Depot.

Untitled design 2023 10 20T134507.110 1 — PM Modi flagging off the Namo Bharat Train

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SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN ROLLING STOCK MANUFACTURING

By

Narendra Shah

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20/10/2023

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Metro Railways in India: An Overview

The Indian Metro Rail system has grown from 35 kilometres (including 27 kilometres of Kolkata Metro) in 2002 to 859 Kms (till March 2023) in the last twenty- years, with sixteen operational metro systems in fifteen cities. This already decent metro system is expanding swiftly and significantly. By 2024, roughly 600 km of additional metro lines are expected to be operational, with the completion of five under-construction metro systems in Navi Mumbai, Pune, Kanpur, Bhopal, and Indore city. A further 1050 kilometres have been planned and are expected to be developed over five years beginning in 2024, for 1650 kilometres of additional network in the next ten years. There are seven more cities in India with metro projects in the planning and development stages: Agra, Patna, Surat, Meerut, Visakhapatnam, Varanasi, and Dehradun (Doon Valley), and ten cities with proposed metro projects: Gwalior, Guwahati, Srinagar, Coimbatore, Ludhiana, Prayagraj, Ranchi, Jabalpur, Bareilly, and Gorakhpur.

After an extended absence since the development of the first metro project of the country, the Calcutta (Kolkata) Metro, which began operations in 1984, was owned and operated by Metro Railway, Kolkata, initially and later on became the 17th zone of Indian Railways in 2010 under the operational management of Ministry of Railways, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (DMRC) launched its first section of metro corridor in 2002. Based on the enormous success of the Delhi Metro, other systems have been developed in Bangalore, Mumbai, Lucknow, and other cities to alleviate the overburdened urban transportation infrastructure.

In the coming ten years, India will likely have 32 or more operational metro rail networks. This mass transit system is establishing itself as an effective urban transportation alternative, assisting in the growth of fast-developing cities. The rapid expansion would directly impact the demand for present-day metro coaches and the emergence of a flourishing Metro Rail Coach Industry in India.

The growth of the Metro Sector in recent times: The initial phase

DMRC’s first eight metro coaches were imported from Germany in 2009 and flown to India by AN-24 aircraft. With the constant development in demand for metro systems since then, three coach manufacturing facilities and units have been set up in the country. Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), an Indian public sector undertaking, signed a collaboration agreement towards technological exchange with South Korean Hyundai Rotem in 2002, becoming the first to indigenously manufacture for the Delhi Metro Phase-I contract and supplying 220 metro cars. BEML has successfully supplied over 1,100 metro cars to various projects in India, including a large order of Rs. 400 Cr. / 42 metro cars for Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd in February and another order of 378 metro cars worth Rs. 3015 Cr. is currently being executed for Mumbai Metro corridors 2A, 2B, and 7.

Bombardier – Rail equipment division of Canada established a plant in Savli, Gujarat, in 2008 with an investment of EUR 33 million (approx. INR 225 Cr.). Bombardier Transportation has served many metro projects, such as Bangalore Metro Phase II, Ahmedabad Metro, and Mumbai Metro Phase III, and has supplied DMRC with the world’s largest fleet of 776 metro cars.

Alstom Transport India Ltd., a French multinational, developed its manufacturing unit in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, in 2012. Since then, Alstom has served projects such as Chennai, Kochi, Lucknow, and Mumbai Metro. In September 2018, the company received a significant order for 248 cars worth Rs. 2,500 Cr for Mumbai Metro Line 3. Alstom successfully delivered India’s first semi-high-speed regional train for the Delhi-Meerut RRTS project in May last year (first quarter of FY 22-23). The first train was delivered less than a year after production began. The train is a hundred per cent indigenous production and is entirely made and manufactured in India at Alstom’s factory in Savli (Gujarat). The semi-high-speed regional train has been designed to operate at 180 km/h and is expected to cut travel time between Delhi and Meerut by nearly forty per cent. These trains are energy efficient and designed to provide travellers with premium comfort and safety features, including disabled people. Besides the technological collaboration with BEML, Hyundai Rotem of South Korea has supplied metro cars for several projects in India, including DMRC phases I, II, and III, Bangalore metro, Hyderabad metro and Ahmedabad Metro. Ahmedabad Metro coaches were produced in a plant in Changwon, South Korea. In 2018, CRRC Nanjing, a subsidiary of China’s CRRC Corporation, sold 76 cars to Noida Metro for Rs. 800 crores from its Chinese production divisions. CRRC Dailan delivered 69 metro coaches for the Nagpur Metro, while Zhuzhou supplied 36 coaches for the Gurgaon Metro and had orders for 12 coaches for the Navi Mumbai Metro.

Export of Metro Coaches: Beginning of a New Era

Alstom Transport India Ltd. secured the Sydney metro project order in 2014, ushering in a new era for Indian exports. The 108-coach ‘Make in India’ rolling stock order for Sydney Metro was constructed at Alstom’s Sri City facility, with the final batch of coaches delivered in December 2018. Alstom received another export order for a $1.4 billion light metro rail project in Montreal for 106 trains with 212 coaches (2 coach trains). Bombardier also received export orders in 2017 for 450 metro rail coaches to be delivered to Australia and components to be sent to Brazil, Australia, and Saudi Arabia.

The ‘Make in India’ Push

To push Indian manufacturing and meet the rising demand for metro coaches, the Government of India made it mandatory in 2017 to procure a minimum of seventy- five per cent of train cars and a minimum of twenty-five per cent of critical equipment and sub-systems from within the country under the ‘‘Make in India’ initiative. Foreign suppliers could either establish independent manufacturing facilities or collaborate with Indian manufacturers to accomplish this. Considering the vast potential and opportunity, several companies have already made their moves and established manufacturing facilities in the country. The central government is also working with the RDSO (Research Designs and Standards Organisation) to standardise the metro rail environment. The car’s width has been set at 2.9 metres and 3.2 metres. The maximum operational speed has been set at 80 km/h, with a design speed of 90 km/h. Instead of the current four-car, six-car, and eight-car arrangements, the metro trains now have been planned to be in three, six or nine-car configurations.

Indian Metro Coach Business

According to initial estimates (considering 2019 as the base period), it was anticipated that the nation would require nearly 2,500 metro coaches over five years (2019 -24) with a system length of around 600 kilometres. Thus, a Rs. 25,000 Cr. business from Indian orders was anticipated for the metro rail industry in India during the envisaged period. Considering the present status of the metro sector, the nation is well ahead of the targeted growth in the evaluated period. Similarly, for five years beginning in 2024, fresh demand is estimated to be around 4500 coaches, amounting to a business worth Rs. 45,000 Cr for the metro rail coaches from Indian orders alone. This brings the Indian demand for metro coaches over the next ten years to around 7,000 coaches, equating to a business worth approximately 70,000 crore.

India is also a low-cost producer, and there continue to be low wages and salaries for the workers and employees. This, combined with significant domestic potential and opportunities, makes India one of the attractive locations for the Metro Coach Industry. New Indian and foreign enterprises are likely to enter India’s metro coach manufacturing industry.

Self-Sufficiency in Rolling Stock Manufacturing

Companies have either begun or have plans to start developing facilities for manufacturing rail coaches in India. Currently, four companies are manufacturing metro coaches in India:

• BEML (PSU, Ministry of Defence)

• Alstom (Alstom Sricity, Andhra Pradesh)

• Bombardier (Bombardier Savli, Gujrat)

• Titagarh Firema (Kolkata, West Bengal)

Several companies are manufacturing various Metro components in India:

• Knorr-Bremse, Baghola, Haryana

• Faiveley Transport, New Delhi

• Automator Alliance Limited, Noida, UP

• Dellner India, Noida, UP

• Mitsubishi, Bangalore

• Sidwal, New Delhi

• Schunk, Bengaluru

• Siemens, Nasik Maharashtra

• ABB, Bangalore

Additionally, ample domestic capabilities are also being developed to construct civil structures. A vast planned expansion of metro rail in 32+ Indian cities has created a lucrative and still largely untapped Metro Rail Coach Industry. The government’s enormous and stringent ‘Make in India’ push and the nation’s ability to manufacture at lower than global costs encourage manufacturers to set up units in India. With four operational metro rail coach factories, two coach factories at advanced stages and another two metro coach factories under active planning, many SMEs engaged in manufacturing metro components, India is set to become a global hub for metro coach manufacturing and the necessary ancillary industry around it including many critical components. India is set to become a significant exporter of Metro Coaches around the World.

In June this year, Medha Servo Drives Private Limited, a Telangana-based company that designs and manufactures complex and typical electrical and electronic railway commodities, established India’s largest private rail coach plant in Kondakal village, Rangareddy district near Hyderabad. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao inaugurated the facility, expressing delight that a domestic industry would produce train carriages in the state. Along with the opening of the largest private-sector manufacturing facility in the state, the state government was also particularly pleased with the company’s recent Monorail order from Mumbai. Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC) and Medha Group agreed in 2017 to develop a private rail coach plant. Industries Minister K.T. Rama Rao laid the foundation stone for the facility on August 13, 2020. With an investment of Rs 1,000 crore, the private rail coach factory will have a production capacity of 500 coaches and 50 locomotives per year.

The manufacturing unit spanning nearly a hundred acres shall develop and produce various forms of railway rolling stock, including coaches, train sets, locomotives, Metro trains, and Monorails. The Rail Coach Factory promised to Telangana as part of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014 could not become a reality within six months of the state’s establishment. However, with the opening of the new facility, the state has finally taken a significant stride towards becoming a major player in the railway industry. At the inaugural ceremony, the Medha Group, MD, announced that the company had invested around Rs 400 crore in the project’s first phase. He informed that the proposed investment for the project is Rs 805 crore, and the project has already provided employment to 558 people, with an additional 500 people benefiting indirectly. It was added that the organisation plans to employ around 1,000 more people shortly.

The firm additionally announced that they hope to complete the Monorail project’s overall coach manufacturing at the facility by the end of this year. The group plans to produce railway components for the country and nations across the globe in the second and third phases of the project. Medha, which claims to be the only Indian company with in-house R&D capabilities, are now producing bogies for the Indian Railways. The manufacturing group aims to shortly begin producing complete Mumbai Monorail train sets. Medha provides services and serves railway customers worldwide through its subsidiaries in Spain, Italy, the United States, Brazil, and Poland. Medha Servo Drives established a joint venture (JV) with Swiss railway rolling stock producer Stadler Rail to enhance its rail coach manufacturing capabilities. The joint venture aims to establish a new factory in Telangana. Stadler Rail, headquartered in Bussnang, Switzerland, has been a significant railway industry player for over 80 years. It holds a monopoly on the global railway rolling stock production industry. The projected Telangana Unit has been planned to be used by the JV to manage and serve the tenders from the Indian market and exports from customers across the Asia Pacific.

Medha has been delivering various items to railways since 1990 and has grown to become India’s leading provider of propulsion equipment (Electronics). The company was founded in 1984 and has a long history in the sector. Medha is the world’s largest manufacturer of railway traction motors and the central Indian supplier of advanced signalling and safety equipment. The company’s dedication to innovation and excellence has propelled it to the forefront of the industry. In the last many years, Medha has successfully brought revolutionary technologies to India, such as solar inverters, battery electric vehicle propulsion systems, and canal automation systems. By signing an MoU to develop large propulsion motors for the Indian Navy in the Asia Pacific region, the company has also entered the defence manufacturing sector.

Discover the endless possibilities of our city’s Metro at InnoMetro, our flagship Expo and Conference. Be an active participant in shaping its future towards a more sustainable tomorrow. Stay informed and join us to take a step towards a brighter future.

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Exploring Innovation & Customer Satisfaction in An Exclusive Interview with Mr Ankush Bhandari

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Staff Reporter

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19/10/2023

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Exploring Innovation & Customer Satisfaction in An Exclusive Interview with Mr Ankush Bhandari

Metro Rail News conducted an Exclusive Interview with Mr. Ankush Bhandari, MD, E+E Elektronik.

Mr. Ankush Bhandari is Managing Director of E+E Elektronik India Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of E+E Elektronik GMBH Austria, which has multiple subsidiaries across the world, including the US, China, Korea, Italy, France, and Germany.

Mr. Ankush Bhandari is an engineering graduate and management post-graduate and has previously worked with industry leaders in the sensing domain in various progressive roles, including sales, business development, product development, product management, quality management, etc.

The interview highlights E+E IN’s rapid expansion in India, catering to sectors like HVAC, IAQ, and pharmaceuticals, with strategic partnerships in metro and rail transportation. They emphasise innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction. Their customised solutions address Metro and Rail, Meteorology, and Agriculture sectors. It also showcases E+E sensors’ Contribution to sustainable transportation.

Here are some excerpts from the Interview.

Q.1. How are you performing with your products and brand portfolio in India? Kindly state the significant developments with plans in the country.

Since its establishment in 2022, E+E IN has rapidly expanded its presence in India, serving over 200 customers across diverse segments such as HVAC, IAQ, pharmaceuticals, and more. Our products are utilised in some of the most challenging applications, including Agriculture, Energy and Environmental Technology, Industrial movement, and much more. We have forged partnerships with strategic OEMs in sectors like metro and rail transportation, meteorology, and others in India. Our unwavering commitment to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction has firmly established our presence in these segments while driving us to expand our portfolio to meet the ever-changing market demands continually. Regarding plans, we aim to diversify our market presence further by exploring new industry segments and applications where our technology can positively impact the overall objective.

Q.2. Which sectors are you mainly addressing with your customised solutions? What are the plans for the metro and rail sectors, especially in India?

Metro and Rail, Meteorology, Pharmaceutical, Agriculture, and Power Transmission are some of the markets which are our primary targets for this year. We take pride in ensuring that our products fully comply with the requirements and certifications for railways, such as EN45545, thereby meeting stringent industry standards. We have been supplying the products for rail applications worldwide and look forward to continuing.

Q.3. Please briefly describe the company w.r.t. major tie-ups, global presence, subsidiary units, product portfolio, and the company’s goals and objectives.

E+E is a leading technology company specialising in sensors, automation solutions, and cutting-edge technology, focusing on innovation and customer-centricity. Established in 1979, the company has been a critical player in the market, with subsidiaries and distribution partners in various countries, including India. Over the years, we have successfully forged strategic tie-ups and collaborations with renowned companies, enabling us to introduce and maintain cutting-edge solutions across various applications through our comprehensive product range. With a global presence that includes subsidiary units and distribution centres, we are dedicated to providing efficient support and service to clients worldwide. Our diverse product portfolio caters to various industry segments, encompassing sensors and transmitters, automation solutions, and significant measurement instruments. Looking ahead, our primary goals revolve around introducing more major innovations and technologies, developing sustainable solutions, and expanding our global footprint in the coming years.

Q.4. Kindly give an outline of your R&D segment. What are the efforts for technology upgradation for better services and quality control?

The Research and Development (R&D) segment is crucial to our company’s success and growth. Our team comprises highly skilled engineers and experts who drive innovation in sensors, measurement technology, and automation solutions. The R&D structure fosters creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement, ensuring we remain at the forefront of technology, delivering cutting-edge products to customers. We are establishing an application engineering department with professional engineers trained at E+E Academy, Austria, to enhance our capabilities further. Additionally, we have well-trained sales representatives to ensure a smooth and enjoyable purchasing experience for every customer.

Q.5. Sustainable transportation shall be one of the critical components of Future-ready and smart Societies. How do you examine the statement evaluating E+E product Solutions?

Well, that’s a fact, as sustainability is not a choice anymore; it’s a necessity. For us at E+E, sustainability means optimising energy, enhancing safety, and improving control efficiency. Our sensors exhibit high reliability, performing exceptionally in the most demanding applications. An exemplary case is the demand control ventilation in rolling stock, where energy optimisation drives operational efficiency. E+E’s CO2 sensors are widely used worldwide, ensuring precise and efficient demand control ventilation. Our dedication to technological advancement toward a better world drives us to expand our product offerings, positively impacting future-ready and smart societies with sustainable transportation solutions.

Q.6. Indian Railways is planning to grow green by 2030. How do you think Indian companies can significantly contribute to the initiative in JV or with their exclusive product solutions available?

Going green involves refining efficiency in operations, whether it’s carbon emissions or energy losses. All credit to the ongoing advancements and the progressive technologies which made various sensors efficient and ensured that preventive maintenance is carried out just in time because of the availability of data-driven models. In turn, sustaining higher efficiency makes the environment greener for the future. Being the leading sensing company in the industry, E+E has implemented all the necessary steps to meet the demands of the railway industry. As part of our ongoing commitment to customer satisfaction, we organise regular “voice of the customer” campaigns to ensure our products have all the necessary features and comply with all regulations.

Q.7. Please share your views on Metro Rail News. Any message for our readers?

In my opinion, Metro Rail News puts a great deal of effort into providing the latest information about the industry so that its readers and the industry at large will be kept up to date with the latest technologies. Your flagship event, “Innometro,” is also highly regarded throughout the industry. We hope Metro Rail News will keep building up this community for the betterment of industry and society.

Intrigued by the future of Metro and its impact on our city? Join us at our upcoming InnoMetro event to delve deeper into this vital issue. Stay informed, get involved, and let’s ride the Metro towards a brighter, more sustainable future together.

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Patna Metro’s TBM-3 lowered at Gandhi Maidan

By

Staff Reporter

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19/10/2023

0

Patna Metro’s TBM-3 lowered at Gandhi Maidan

Patna (Metro Rail News): The first tunnel boring machine was lowered into the launching shaft for digging the tunnel between Gandhi Maidan and Akashvani underground metro station of the Patna Metro Rail Project. This is the third TBM in the series of TBMs being used for digging the tunnel being built for the underground metro station. The TBM assembly was lowered 52 feet below ground level into the launching shaft with the help of 4 strand jacks (300 MT capacity each) and a mega lift with a total capacity of 1200 MT. It takes about 5 to 8 hours for the tunnel boring machine to descend into the launching shaft.

TBM 3 was lowered into a 32-meter-long and 25-meter-wide launching shaft at Gandhi Maidan underground metro station on Wednesday. This TBM will cover a distance of approximately 966 meters from Gandhi Maidan Metro Station to Akashvani Metro Station.

The weight of the TBM lowered into the underground section of Corridor II is approximately 450 metric tons. If we compare this TBM with a bus, the weight of a 50-seater bus is approximately 16-17 metric tons, so the weight of this TBM is equal to 28 buses with a 50-seater capacity.

It is noteworthy that the work of digging the tunnel with two other tunnel-boring machines is already going on in Moin Ul Haq’s underground metro station. TBM 1 and 2 will travel a distance of approximately 1.49 kilometres from Moin Ul Haq to Patna University, where they will be retrieved and re-launched.

What is a launching shaft?

A launching shaft is a structure made of concrete and steel that is built to launch a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM).

Discover the endless possibilities of our city’s Metro at InnoMetro, our flagship Expo and Conference. Be an active participant in shaping its future towards a more sustainable tomorrow. Stay informed and join us to take a step towards a brighter future.

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