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MRVC Postpones Bidding for 238 Air-Conditioned Vande Bharat Metro Rakes

25/07/2023

Vande Bharat Express/Representational Image — Representational Image

MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) has decided to postpone the bidding process for the procurement of 238 air-conditioned Vande Bharat metro rakes, just a month after inviting tenders. A total of 2856 AC cars were to be acquired as part of the tender, which could configure both 12-car and 15-car trains. On May 19, the decision to procure the rakes under MUTP-3 and 3A was taken after receiving approval from Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

However, according to the notice on the MRVC website, the tender for the procurement and lifetime maintenance of Vande Metro (suburban) rakes, along with the establishment of new maintenance depots and upgrading existing maintenance facilities, has been deferred until further notice.

MRVC had initially aimed to finalize the contractor by September, with an estimated cost of around Rs 90 crore for each 12-car rake. The plan was to receive the first rake by 2026, followed by at least 50 rakes per year, and completing the entire stock by 2030.

Mr. Sunil Udasi, MRVC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, clarified that they have delayed the tender process due to the need to consider inputs from Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR). Additionally, they are awaiting the report on the migration strategy for transitioning from non-AC to AC services.

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RITES Secures Lowest Bid for Locomotive and Wagons Supply to Mozambique

Staff Reporter

25/07/2023

locomotive — Representational image only| Image copyright: Respective Authority

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): RITES Limited, a government of India enterprise operating under Indian Railways, has been declared as the lowest bidder in two tenders from CFM, Mozambique. The tenders are for the supply of ten locomotives and one hundred and fifty wagons.

The bid is now subject to the scrutiny and evaluation process of CFM, Mozambique. The company will have to meet all the requisite requirements mentioned in the tender documents before the order is officially awarded to them. The estimated value of the bid stands at approximately Rs. 500 Crore.

The tender win reflects RITES Limited’s prowess in the railway sector and showcases their expertise in providing high-quality solutions for rail transportation. As a multi-disciplinary consultancy organization, RITES offers a comprehensive array of services in the fields of transport, infrastructure, and related technologies.

Recently, the company signed an MoU (memorandum of understanding) with TransNamib Holdings Limited, Namibia. The MOU aims to foster the development of railways and related infrastructure, encompassing the supply of rolling stock.

Established in 1974, RITES Limited is a public limited company governed by a Board of Directors comprising eminent professionals from various engineering and management sectors. The company follows ISO 9001:2015 standards, and its core focus is on the transfer of technology to client organizations.

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UPSSF Takes the Charge of Agra Metro Security

Staff Reporter

25/07/2023

The Director-General of Police, Mr. L. V. Antony Dev Kumar, in the presence of other officials inspected the Agra Metro Project and discussed the various safety aspects for it.

AGRA (Metro Rail News): The Uttar Pradesh Special Security Force, formed under the guidance of the Honorable Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Yogi Adityanath, will be responsible for the security of Agra Metro. In this regard, the Additional Director General of Police, Mr. L. V. Antony Dev Kumar, from the Special Security Force, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, conducted an inspection of the Agra Metro Rail Project. During the visit, the Project Director of Agra Metro, Mr. Arvind Kumar Rai, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (City), Mr. Suraj Kumar Rai, the Commandant of the 4th Battalion of the SSSF, Mr. Amit Kumar, and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Sadar), Ms. Archana Singh, along with other officials were present.

The Director-General of Police, Mr. L. V. Antony Dev Kumar, held a meeting with the officials of Agra Metro to discuss various aspects related to Metro security. After that, he inspected the Agra Metro Rail Project, including the elevated and underground sections. During this visit, the Project Director of Agra Metro, Mr. Arvind Kumar Rai, briefed the Director-General of Police, Mr. L. V. Antony Dev Kumar, about various aspects related to Agra Metro.

It is worth mentioning that, similar to Lucknow and Kanpur Metro, CCTV cameras will be installed in all stations and trains of Agra Metro for surveillance. There will be no area in the premises and stations of Agra Metro that will not be covered by CCTV cameras. Additionally, special attention will be given to women’s safety at all Agra Metro stations by deploying female security personnel and housekeeping staff.

It is noteworthy that in September 2020, the Honorable Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Yogi Adityanath, established the UPSSF (Uttar Pradesh Special Security Force) for the security of courts, prominent religious places, metro projects, and various institutions. The headquarters of the Uttar Pradesh Police’s Special Security Force is located in the capital city, Lucknow. The Uttar Pradesh government has formed battalions of UPSSF in Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, Mathura, and Saharanpur, and appointed a commandant for each of them.

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Boosting Railways in Northeast: Amrit Bharat Scheme to Enhance 35 Stations in NFR Zone

Staff Reporter

24/07/2023

Indian Railways/Representational Image — Representational Image

GUWAHATI (Metro Rail News): The Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR) zone is set to receive a boost in infrastructure as part of the Central government’s “Amrit Bharat” initiative. About 35 major stations, including Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Kamakhya, New Tinsukia, Dimapur, New Bongaigoan, Katihar, Kokrajhar Siliguri Town, Silchar and others, will be developed under this scheme.

Across the country, a total of 1309 railway stations have been identified for development, with 35 falling under the NFR zone. The scheme focuses on continuous improvement with a long-term approach.

The development plan includes creating Master Plans and implementing them in phases to enhance station amenities. This involves improving station access, waiting halls, toilets, and providing facilities like free Wi-Fi, local product kiosks, and better passenger information systems. The scheme also considers integrating the station with the city, ensuring sustainability and eco-friendly solutions, and creating city centers at stations in the long term.

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Bengaluru’s Jayadeva Junction: Largest Metro Station Expected to Open by End of 2023

Staff Reporter

24/07/2023

BENGALURU (Metro Rail News): The largest Metro station in the city, Jayadeva junction on Bannerghatta Road, is expected to open partially by the end of 2023.

The station is a part of the Yellow Line linking RV Road to Bommasandra and the Pink Line from Kalena Agrahara to Nagawara. It has the capacity to handle 25,000 passengers during peak hours. Around 90% of the work on the station has been completed, and its total built-up area is 19,826 sqm, said the officials.

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has set 2023 as the target to open the Yellow Line after missing several deadlines. The Pink Line is likely to be operational by March 2025.

The Yellow Line also includes a double-decker flyover to facilitate road traffic and Metro trains, easing direct access to Silk Board for commuters coming from the Ragigudda side without stopping at signals.

The Jayadeva interchange station will be fully functional once the Pink Line from Kalena Agrahara to Nagawara begins commercial operations, according to Ajum Parwez, MD, BMRCL. It is anticipated to receive significant footfall after the Majestic interchange station, which is currently used by over 1 lakh passengers daily.

When both the Yellow and Pink Lines open to the public, BMRCL estimates that Jayadeva station will be utilized by around 80,000 to 90,000 passengers.

Once the Yellow Line connecting to Electronics City opens, Bengaluru will have three interchange Metro stations, with RV Road station as the third interchange station, where the Yellow Line will meet the Green Line (Silk Institute to Nagasandra). The opening of the Yellow Line is expected to increase Metro ridership by 2 lakh.

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Alstom and RAILPOOL Ink €260M Deal for 50 Traxx Universal Locomotives

Staff Reporter

24/07/2023

FRANCE (Metro Rail News): Alstom, a renowned global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has joined hands with RAILPOOL, one of Europe’s leading rail vehicle leasing companies, to sign a significant contract for 50 Traxx Universal multi-purpose locomotives. This substantial deal is valued at up to 260 million euros.

The Traxx Universal locomotives are designed to operate for both freight and passenger corridor services. Noted for their exceptional reliability and flexibility, coupled with optimized power consumption, these locomotives are known to deliver efficient cross-border operations. Additionally, they boast extended maintenance intervals, easing operational planning and reducing costs, ultimately enhancing their overall availability.
The deployment of these locomotives will span eight European countries, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Poland.

Kevin Cogo, the Vice-President of Rolling Stock, Locomotives & Components for Alstom DACH, expressed delight at RAILPOOL’s decision to partner with Alstom in expanding their operations across several parts of Europe. This contract is a testament to the long-standing and successful partnership between the two companies. The use of the proven Traxx locomotives, along with Alstom’s state-of-the-art Atlas signalling solution, reflects Alstom’s commitment to promoting more efficient and sustainable freight and passenger transport systems.

Torsten Lehnert, the CEO of RAILPOOL, also shared his excitement regarding this purchase. He emphasized that it solidifies their commitment to developing their unique full-service offering in the French market, following the recent opening of an office in France under the leadership of Frédérique Erlichman. These 50 locomotives ordered from Alstom will not only enhance operations in France but also significantly contribute to the advancement of sustainable, high-performance rail transportation throughout Europe.

All locomotives will be equipped with Alstom’s leading signalling system Atlas, which is the onboard solution for the European Train Control System (ETCS). This advanced system enables seamless operation on extended corridors, providing the broadest coverage of countries and lines, both for ETCS and legacy system operation.

Engineering of the locomotives will be carried out at Alstom’s site in Mannheim, Germany, while the final assembly is planned to take place in Kassel, Germany. Other locations involved in the project include Wroclaw, Poland for carbody shell production, Zurich, Switzerland for project management, and Siegen, Germany for bogies production.

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Pune Metro likely to Unveil Two Exciting Stretches on August 1

Staff Reporter

24/07/2023

PUNE (Metro Rail News): The Pune Metro stretch from Phugewadi to Shivajinagar, along with another stretch from Garware College to Ruby Hall Clinic, is expected to be inaugurated on August 1.

Officials are hopeful that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present at the event as he is likely to visit Pune on August 1 to receive the Lokmanya Tilak award.

Both stretches have been completed and are ready for inauguration, but the state government’s official communication is awaited.

A final inspection of the routes was conducted on Saturday by the Commissioner of Railway Safety, who has given approval for starting services on both routes. They are now awaiting the safety compliance certificate.

The new section linking Phugewadi and Civil Court station spans 6.9 km and includes four stations. On the other hand, the Garware College to Ruby Hall Clinic station section covers 4.7 km, featuring seven stations, some of which are located underground.

The newly constructed sections link significant locations in the city, including Shivajinagar, Civil Court, Pune Municipal Corporation office, Pune RTO, and Pune Railway Station. Deccan Gymkhana and Sambhaji Udyan stations provide convenient access to bustling areas like Jungli Maharaj Road and Fergusson College Road.

Ruby Hall Clinic station is conveniently located near Wadia College campus, benefiting students commuting in the area. Pune Railway station and Shivajinagar metro station have been integrated with Pune railways, ensuring smooth connectivity for rail commuters.

Advocate Sushil Mancharkar stated that residents are eagerly anticipating the opening of the Phugewadi-Shivajinagar route, as it is expected to bring a significant change to the traffic situation in the area.

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Patna Metro Speeds Ahead: TBM Completes 85-Meter Journey at Moin-Ul-Haq Station

Staff Reporter

22/07/2023

The first Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) 1 at the Moin-Ul-Haq underground metro station completed an 85-meter journey successfully

PATNA (Metro Rail News): In Corridor-II of the Patna Metro Rail Project, the construction of the underground metro station and tunnel is progressing rapidly. Recently, the first Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) 1 at the Moin-Ul-Haq underground metro station completed an 85-meter journey successfully.

Currently, the initial drive for constructing the underground metro station is underway. The main drive began on Friday after the Tunnel Boring Machine completed 85 meters of its journey. The process of adding backup gantries to the TBM for the main drive takes approximately 20 days.

The tunnel boring machine construction of the underground metro line is primarily separated into three sections. The first (primary) drive is the first step in this procedure, during which the TBM begins excavating the tunnel from the launching shaft.

The initial/temporary ring segments are manually installed at this step, allowing the thrust jacks installed in the machine to push forward the TBM with the aid of these temporary ring segments. The TBM then arrives at the main drive, where it begins to build the tunnel by putting in permanent ring segments as it excavates.

The tunnel boring machine is separated into many components. The cutting head, which the TBM uses to cut the earth as it digs the tunnel, is located on the front shield, which is the component of the TBM that faces forward.

To prevent soil from sticking to the cutting head, a special chemical is sprayed through a nozzle mounted on it. This chemical ensures that the soil easily moves to the rear of the machine with the help of a conveyor belt. The soil is then transported to the dumping spot by a trolley after being carried out of the tunnel.

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17-km Sahibabad-Duhai Depot Priority Section of RRTS Project to be Commissioned Soon

Staff Reporter

22/07/2023

RAPIDX TRAIN — Rapidx train/Representational image only

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) Director Vinay Kumar Singh revealed that the 17-km Sahibabad-Duhai Depot priority section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) project will be commissioned within a few weeks.

Addressing a workshop on transit-oriented development, Mr. Vinay Kumar Singh, MD NCRTC, said, “This breakthrough marks a significant advancement in delivering high-quality transit services nationwide.”

Mr. Singh also expressed excitement about the project, emphasizing its transformational impact. He mentioned that this 17-km priority section of the RRTS project is the first to bring fast inter-city commuter trains to the National Capital Region.

Named ‘RAPIDX,’ the RRTS is a semi-high-speed regional rail service, a joint venture company of the Centre with the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.

The NCRTC has ambitious plans to improve connectivity further. By 2025, it aims to open the entire 82-km Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut stretch for the public, streamlining travel and enhancing the overall transit experience for commuters in the region.

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Kavach’ Anti-Collision System to Shield 3000 km of Key Routes

Staff Reporter

22/07/2023

Indian Railways — Representational Image

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw informed Parliament that the tender for the anti-collision system “Kavach” has been awarded for Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah Corridors, totaling approximately 3000 route km. The work is currently in progress. The Indian Railways is also preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and detailed estimate for installing Kavach in another 6000 route km, said Union Minister in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.

Kavach is a technology-intensive Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system developed indigenously. It assists the loco pilot in maintaining specified speed limits and automatically applies brakes if the pilot fails to do so, ensuring safe train operations even in inclement weather.

Kavach has been effectively implemented on 1465 route km and 121 locomotives, including Electric Multiple Unit rakes, on South Central Railway. Three Indian OEMs( manufacturers ) are currently approved for Kavach, with efforts to develop more vendors for its widespread implementation.

The tragic triple-train accident in Odisha’s Balasore on June 2, which resulted in around 300 fatalities and about 1000 injuries, sparked debates on the importance of anti-collision systems like Kavach. The total amount spent on Kavach implementation so far is Rs 351.91 crores.

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