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Railway Board Member Shri Naveen Gulati Visits Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor

06/09/2023

Shri Naveen Gulati, Member Traction & Rolling Stock, Railway Board, visites some of the key sites of Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor/Image by NCRTC

GHAZIABAD (Metro Rail News): Shri Naveen Gulati, Member Traction & Rolling Stock of the Railway Board under the Ministry of Railways, recently conducted a visit to inspect key sites along the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor. His tour included stops at significant locations such as Anand Vihar Station, Sahibabad Station, and the Duhai Depot. Accompanying him were Shri Vinay Kumar Singh, Managing Director of NCRTC, and other senior officials from the organization.

During the visit, the NCRTC team provided an overview of the various commuter-centric facilities available at the stations and highlighted several features of the RAPIDX trainsets, which aim to ensure a comfortable and secure travel experience for passengers. Shri Gulati expressed his appreciation for the swift progress in project implementation and commended NCRTC’s efforts in delivering a modern mobility solution for the National Capital Region’s residents.

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Hyderabad Metro Phase 3: Systra and Aarvee Associates Secure Contract to Prepare DPR

Staff Reporter

06/09/2023

Hyderabad Metro/Representational image only

HYDERABAD (Metro Rail News): Consulting firms Aarvee Associates and Systra have won the tender to create the detailed project report (DPR) for phase 3 of Hyderabad’s Metro network expansion. They are tasked with submitting preliminary project reports (PPRs) within two months, conducting traffic surveys, travel demand forecasts, ridership estimates, and analyzing alternative transport options. The subsequent step involves preparing DPRs in three months, detailing the Metro rail alignment, viaducts, stations, depots, and more for the 278-kilometer project, estimated to cost 10.69 crore.

Several agencies submitted bids for evaluation by the Hyderabad Airport Metro Limited (HAML). After a thorough evaluation by the HAML tender committee, Aarvee Associates emerged with the highest technical score and the lowest financial bids across all four packages. Consequently, Aarvee Associates was awarded two packages, while the other two were granted to the next best firm, Systra, which matched the lowest financial bid.

Here are the details of the packages for which DPRs are to be prepared:

Package I (Systra, ₹2.55 crore): This package includes Metro lines from BHEL – Isnapur (13 km), L.B. Nagar – Pedda Amberpet (13 km), and ORR Patancheruvu Junction – ORR Narsingi Junction (22 km). In total, it spans 48 km.

Package II (Aarvee, ₹3.05 crore): Package II involves Metro lines from Shamshabad Junction Metro Station to Shadnagar (28 km), Shamshabad Airport Station to Kandukur Pharma City (26 km), and ORR Shamshabad Junction to ORR Pedda Amberpet Junction (40 km), covering a total distance of 94 km.

Package III (Aarvee, ₹2.53 crore): This package includes Metro lines from Uppal X Road to Bibinagar (25 km), Tarnaka X Road to ECIL X Road (8 km), and ORR Pedda Amberpet Junction to ORR Medchal Junction (45 km), totaling 78 km.

Package IV (Systra, ₹2.56 crore): Package IV entails double elevated flyovers/metro lines from JBS Metro Rail Station to Tumkunta (17 km), double elevated flyovers/metro lines from Paradise X Road to Kandlakoya (12 km), and ORR Medchal Junction to ORR Patancheruvu Junction (29 km). This package covers a total distance of 58 km.

The selected agencies have been instructed to commence field surveys promptly.

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71.04 Hectares of Land to Be Allocated to MMRDA for Four Metro Route Car Sheds

Staff Reporter

06/09/2023

Mumbai Metro 3 — Representational image only

MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): The state cabinet is set to approve a proposal to allocate 71.04 hectares of land in Mogharpada, Thane, to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) for the construction of car sheds for four metro routes. This move aims to expedite the metro construction process.

The designated plot, situated in Survey No 30, will serve as the site for car sheds catering to Metro 4 (connecting Wadala to Kasarwadavli), Metro 4A (connecting Kasarwadavli to Gaimukh), Metro 10 (Gaimukh to Shivaji Chowk in Mira Road), and Metro 12 ( Kalyan to Taloja).

Metro 4, is the lengthiest metro route in Mumbai spanning more than 32 kilometers. Due to the absence of a car shed, the construction work has faced many challenges. Currently, only 43 percent of the civil work has been completed, resulting in several missed project deadlines. MMRDA commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee and his predecessor, S V R Srinivas, have been actively advocating for the state to allocate the necessary plot for this purpose.

Since assuming office as chief minister, Eknath Shinde has been pushing to expedite the Metro 4 project, given its significance in connecting his constituency in Thane to Mumbai.

The Mogharpada plot, originally state-owned and used for agricultural purposes, had been leased out to 167 lessees. It is situated in close proximity to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Ghodbunder Road.

In June, several Mogharpada residents voiced opposition to the car shed construction, demanding adequate compensation for the locals before proceeding with the project. Local villagers even staged a protest in front of the Thane revenue office during a visit by revenue and MMRDA officers before the monsoon.

Local Shiv Sena representatives, who had been supporting the villagers’ cause, wrote to then MMRDA commissioner SVR Srinivas, urging him to halt the process. As per the proposed policy, the land occupiers are likely to receive 22.5 percent of the developed land as compensation, following a model similar to CIDCO‘s policy.

In August, MMRDA successfully acquired land for a car shed for the proposed Metro Line 12, which will connect Kalyan to Taloja, specifically at Niljepada. The Thane collector transferred 47 hectares of land in Niljepada to MMRDA for this purpose.

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Vizag Metro Project Work to Start Soon: APMRC MD

Staff Reporter

05/09/2023

APMRC MD anticipates commencement of vizag metro work shortlycommence — Representational image only/ Image copyright: Respective authority

VISAKHAPATNAM (Metro Rail News): Visakhapatnam, often referred to as Vizag, is poised to transform its urban transportation landscape through an advanced metro rail project. This visionary undertaking is a result of collaborative efforts between the Central and State governments, in partnership with IL&FS Engineering and Construction Limited, under the guidance of the Urban Mass Transit Company (UMTC).

U.J.M. Rao, the Managing Director of the AP Metro Rail Corporation (APMRC), is optimistic about commencing work shortly. He states, “We have submitted the final DPR (Detailed Project Report) for the development of the Vizag Metro Rail to the State government. Once the project gains approval from the State Cabinet, we will forward it to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) for clearance.”

Funding for the Vizag Metro project will be a collaborative effort, with the Government of India contributing 20% of the project cost as Viability Gap Funding (VGF), the State government contributing another 20%, and the remaining investment being secured from private investors through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

The proposed metro corridors include:

A 64.09 km corridor from Kurmannapalem Junction to Bhogapuram, passing through Gajuwaka and Anandapuram. Initially, this corridor will extend up to Kommadi Junction (34 km). After the completion of Bhogapuram International Airport, the metro will be extended to provide seamless connectivity to and from the airport for city passengers.

A second corridor spanning 6.5 km, connecting Thatichetlapalem Junction (present National Highway) to Park Hotel Junction. It will pass through Railway New Colony, Railway Station, Old Jail Road, Vivekananda statue junction, RTC Complex, Sampath Vinayaka temple road, and AU Out Gate.

The third corridor, covering a distance of 5.5 km, will run from Gurudwara Junction (Santhipuram) to Old Head Post Office (OHPO) Junction via Diamond Park, LIC, Dabagardens, City Police Commissioner’s Office, and Poorna Market backside road.

According to Mr. Rao, to optimize costs, the project has chosen the Light Metro system and an elevated corridor. Land acquisition poses no challenges in any of the corridors, except at OHPO junction in the third corridor. Discussions with officials from the State Bank of India (SBI) and a shipping company located in the area have yielded positive responses regarding their properties.

The Vizag Metro project holds promise for a transformative impact on urban mobility in Visakhapatnam, ushering in a new era of efficient and interconnected transportation.

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Kolkata Metro to Get 85 New Advanced Rakes by 2026

Staff Reporter

05/09/2023

85 new rakes to be rolled out by 2026 — Futuristic rake design envisaged for Kolkata metro

KOLKATA (Metro Rail News): Kolkata Metro, the country’s oldest metro system, is expanding its network to connect the city with its suburbs. A significant development is the upcoming metro line running beneath the Hooghly River, linking Kolkata and Howrah. Alongside expanding its reach, Kolkata Metro is enhancing the travel experience for commuters with innovative measures.

As part of this initiative, a futuristic train design is in the works, promising a visually appealing and comfortable journey. These new air-conditioned trains will be manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai. Drawing inspiration from Bengal’s bridal and terracotta art, these trains will feature a unique nose cone design. Each coach will highlight local arts and crafts and provide USB charging ports on both sides. A standout feature will be the provision of standing seats in limited space, allowing airport-bound commuters to stow their luggage beneath these seats, enhancing comfort.

Safety measures include anti-skid flooring, fire extinguishers, unique grab handles, handle loops, Talk to Driver Units for emergency communication with the motorman, and CCTV cameras for real-time monitoring. Improved roof grab handles aim to discourage standing in vestibules during peak hours. Digital display boards will display infotainment content, and cove lighting will create a warm ambiance inside the coaches. Robust guardrails and grab poles will be strategically placed for convenience.

These futuristic rakes are expected to join the Metro’s fleet around 2026, with a plan to introduce 85 new trains gradually. This expansion will increase the existing fleet of 46 trains (32 Broad Gauge and 14 Standard Gauge) to 131 trains (114 Broad Gauge and 17 Standard Gauge) to accommodate current and future corridors. The procurement cost of these trains, estimated at Rs. 6000 crores, has already been sanctioned by the Ministry of Railways.

Kausik Mitra, CPRO of Metro Railway, envisions that once these innovative trains are commissioned by 2026, Kolkata Metro will offer an unparalleled travel experience, making it the preferred mode of transport for passengers.

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Tunneling Commences for Metro Line 7A, Shaping Mumbai’s Transportation Outlook

Staff Reporter

05/09/2023

The first Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) - T62 commences tunneling work for r Metro Line 7A

MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): Mumbai’s transportation landscape is on the brink of a significant transformation with the commencement of tunnelling work for Metro Line 7A (ML7A). This milestone, announced by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), signifies a momentous step towards upgrading the city’s connectivity and reducing congestion.

Tunneling Operations Underway

On September 1, 2023, the first Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), named T62, embarked on its journey, marking the beginning of the tunnelling phase for ML7A. The initial phase is expected to conclude within a month, followed by the final drive, with the entire tunnelling project slated for completion by May 2024. This extensive effort will encompass depths ranging from 28 meters to 12 meters below ground level, ensuring seamless transitions between the underground and elevated portions of the Metro system. Notably, the MMRDA accomplished the successful relocation of an underground sewer line that intersected with the tunnel alignment of ML7A using the Micro tunnelling method, with the commissioning date set for January 30, 2023.

ML7A: Enhancing Mumbai’s Connectivity

Metro Line 7A, spanning a total length of 3.422 kilometers and featuring a twin tunnel stretch extending 2.49 kilometers, promises to revolutionize transportation in Mumbai. This new line links Andheri (East) to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), effectively expanding the operational Red Line ML7 (Andheri (East) to Dahisar (East)). The alignment of Metro Line 7A runs partially above ground and parallel to WEH & Sahar elevated road, with an elevated Airport Colony Metro Station along AAI colony. This strategic alignment not only offers direct access to CSMIA but also connects Mira Bhayandar (ML9) and Western suburbs (ML2A and ML7). Passengers will enjoy easy transfers between Metro Line 3 (ML3) and the International Airport at the CSMIA underground station of ML3, leading to a substantial reduction in airport travel times by 30-60 minutes.

Looking ahead, Metro Line 7A will play a pivotal role in connecting to the proposed Navi Mumbai International Airport via the planned ML8, further bolstering the city’s transportation network. The CSMIA underground station for Metro Line 7A (ML7A) and Metro Line 3 (ML3) run parallel to each other and are linked at the concourse level, ensuring smooth connections for both paid and unpaid areas.

Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee, IAS, Metropolitan Commissioner of MMRDA, emphasized that the Metro Line 7A project holds the promise of substantial economic and environmental benefits for Mumbai. These advantages include reduced traffic congestion, enhanced transportation efficiency, increased employment opportunities, decreased fuel consumption, improved air quality, and a noteworthy reduction in CO2 emissions. Metro Line 7A represents MMRDA’s commitment to crafting a more interconnected, efficient, and sustainable Mumbai, marking a significant stride towards a brighter and more accessible future for the city.

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Central Govt. Approves ₹83,000 Cr. Worth of Railway Projects for Telangana, Says Union Minister Kishan Reddy

Staff Reporter

04/09/2023

Indian Railways — Representational image only

HYDERABAD (Metro Rail News): On Sunday, Union Tourism and Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy said that the Central government has decided to take up 30 railway projects including 15 new railway lines in the state of Telangana, with a total outlay of ₹83,543 crore.
Addressing reporters, Minister Reddy expressed his concerns regarding the “non-cooperation” of the ruling government in Telangana, alleging that it has led to a halt in the progress of laying more than 700 km of railway tracks. He called upon the state government to expedite the land acquisition process for these railway projects and requested their support for initiatives like Phase II of the Multi-Modal Transport System (MMTS) in Hyderabad.

Despite the challenges posed by the state government’s alleged lack of cooperation, Minister Reddy emphasized that the Union government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, remains dedicated to the development of Telangana and the welfare of its people. He noted that the Railways had recently approved the modernization and redevelopment of 40 railway stations in Telangana, with the Prime Minister virtually inaugurating the foundation laying for 21 of them. A sum of ₹2,300 crore has been released by the Central government for the redevelopment of 40 stations.

Moreover, Mr. Reddy highlighted that between 2004 and 2014, the UPA government sanctioned only five railway projects, with ₹10,192 crore allocated for the construction of just 714 km of new railway lines in Telangana. In contrast, the Modi government has approved 30 projects, encompassing the construction of 5,239 km of new railway lines in the state.

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L&T Emerges as Lowest Bidder for Bengaluru Suburban Rail’s Kanaka Line Civil Work Tender

Staff Reporter

04/09/2023

Suburban Rail project. — Bengaluru Suburban Rail (Representational image)

BENGALURU (Metro Rail News): On 31st August, L&T Limited emerged as the lowest bidder in the recent civil work tender for the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project (BSRP), covering the extensive 148-km railway line.

Four firms, including L&T Ltd, Afcons Infrastructure Ltd, INTARVO Technologies, and Dinesh Chandra R Agrawal Infracon Pvt Ltd, participated in this tender, which followed the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model.

The scope of work involved designing and constructing 8.96 km of elevated tracks (viaducts) and 37.92 km of at-grade tracks for the 46.88-km Kanaka Line. Bidders were required to submit separate lumpsum quotes for both elevated and at-grade sections.

The Kanaka Line, also known as Corridor 4, will establish a crucial rail connection between Rajanukunte in the far north and Heelalige in the far south, passing through Baiyappanahalli and Yelahanka.

According to the sources, efforts will be made to issue the Letter of Acceptance (LoA) by the end of September, with a contract completion deadline of 30 months from the award date.

L&T’s bid amounted to Rs 1,021 crore, while Afcons submitted a bid of Rs 1,424 crore. Notably, the financial bids from INTARVO Technologies and Dinesh Chandra R Agrawal Infracon Pvt Ltd were rejected due to their failure to meet the technical criteria.
Meanwhile, K-RIDE has expedited the process of relocating electrical, signaling, telecommunication, and other utility lines required for the Kanaka Line. K-RIDE anticipates receiving 193 acres of railway land for Corridor 4 and has already submitted the requisition to the South Western Railway. Additionally, private land acquisition is underway, as reported by officials.

Significantly, comprehensive physical and land adjustment surveys have been successfully completed for the entire alignment. L&T had previously secured the civil work contract for the 25.02-km Corridor 2 (Baiyappanahalli-Chikkabanavara, Sampige Line) last year and has commenced groundwork for that section.

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Namma Metro: TBM Vamika Achieves Breakthrough at Langford Town Station

Staff Reporter

02/09/2023

TBM Vamika Achieves Breakthrough at Langford Town Station/ Image by Ujjwal Chaturvedi

BENGALURU (Metro Rail News): On Thursday, Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Vamika achieved a significant milestone, marking its breakthrough at Langford Town Station. This achievement followed a remarkable tunnelling journey of 721 meters, commencing from Lakkasandra Station.

WhatsApp Image 2023 09 02 at 16.58.29 — TBM Vamika at Langford Town Station

Prior to this breakthrough, the TBM had successfully tunnelled 613.2 meters between South Ramp and Dairy Circle Underground Station and 743.4 meters between Dairy Circle Station and Lakkasandra Station.

With this achievement, 17.62 km of the 20.991 km of underground tunnelling in Phase 2, Reach -6 Line, between Kalena Agrahara and Nagawara, is now complete.

Additionally, Nagawara is set to be linked to the airport stretch as part of the Pink line, and officials are optimistic about finishing this by December 2024.

Among the nine TBMs deployed for the tunnelling work in Reach-6 underground line, six TBMs, namely Ujra, Varada, Avni, Lavi, Vindhya, and Vamika, have successfully completed their tunnelling tasks.

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BMRCL Conducts Load Testing with Sandbags on Kengeri-Challaghatta Stretch

Staff Reporter

02/09/2023

Bengaluru Metro/ Representational image only — Representational image only

BENGALURU (Metro Rail News): As the eagerly awaited extension of Bengaluru’s Namma Metro Purple Line from Challaghatta to Kadugodi (Whitefield) approaches its full realization, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has reached a crucial milestone. On September 1, the BMRCL successfully completed a five-day load test on the steel girder above the Nice Road segment within the Kengeri-Challaghatta stretch.

During the tests, 2,827 sandbags, each weighing 30 kg, were strategically placed between the tracks and plinth beam. To simulate full passenger capacity, 621 bags were distributed across three train cars in two trains, ensuring the structural stability of the system.

Last month, the BMRCL conducted a similar load test on the Open Web Girder (OWG), which runs above the track of the Indian Railways between Baiyappanahalli and Benniganahalli metro stations.

The completion of load testing is a crucial step in meeting the requirements for the Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) certification. Following the load test on the Kengeri-Challaghatta metro stretch, CMRS is expected to inspect both the Baiyappanahalli-Krishnarajapura line and the Kengeri-Challaghatta line by mid-September.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced during his Independence Day speech on August 15 that the eagerly awaited inauguration of Bengaluru’s extended Purple Line, from Challaghatta to Kadugodi (Whitefield), is set to take place in September 2023.

Siddaramaiah noted that currently, Bengaluru’s metro train network covers 69.66 km and serves around 6.1 lakh daily passengers. He further stated that the Baiyappanahalli-Krishnarajapura line and Kengeri-Challaghatta line expansion are expected to be completed by September 2023.

Earlier, the BMRCL had fixed a deadline to finish the works of the 2 km Baiyappanahalli-Krishnarajapura segment by the end of August. According to BMRCL officials, both stretches are expected to be ready for commercial operation by the end of September after the CMRS inspection.

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