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Gaining Momentum: Central Railway’s Drive Towards ‘Zero Scrap’ Mission

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Gaining Momentum: Central Railway’s Drive Towards ‘Zero Scrap’ Mission

MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): Central Railway is making impressive strides in its “Zero Scrap” initiative. The railway is determined to identify and properly dispose of various types of scrap, like outdated locomotives, non-operational rail lines, and overaged or accidental locos/coaches. This effort has paid off, with Central Railway achieving a remarkable increase of 20.41% in scrap sales compared to the Railway Board’s target until August 2023. In the current financial year (from April 1, 2023, to August 15, 2023), it has achieved scrap sales worth Rs. 132.47 Crores.

The accomplishment includes selling:

  1. 5669 metric tons of rails/P. Ways, 09 Locomotives
  2. 133 coaches
  3. 53 wagons


(Including 06 KM Jamner-Pachora Section Narrow Gauge Line in Bhusawal division)

Different divisions and depots have contributed significantly to this success as listed below:

Railway DivisionValue of Scrap Sold
Mumbai DivisionRs. 24.36 Crores
Bhusawal DivisionRs. 17.99 Crores
Solapur DivisionRs. 8.09 Crores
Nagpur DivisionRs. 9.66 Crores
Pune DivisionRs. 14.33 Crores  

Additionally, Matunga Depot sold scrap worth Rs. 23.56 Crores and Electric Loco Shed Depot of Bhusaval sold scrap worth Rs. 13.50 Crores.

Central Railway is resolutely dedicated to attaining a scrap-free status for all Divisions and Depots as part of the Zero Scrap Mission, while also exceeding the Railway Board‘s target of Rs. 300 Crores for the year 2023-24.

Indian Railways Plans to Lease Out 84 Surplus Plots Worth ₹7,500 Crore

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Indian Railways Plans to Lease Out 84 Surplus Plots Worth ₹7,500 Crore

DELHI (Metro Rail News): Indian Railways is likely to lease out 84 surplus plots worth more than ₹7,500 crore to private companies over the next 18 months. This move is part of the Rail Land Development Authority’s (RLDA) efforts to utilize surplus land for commercial purposes. The RLDA is responsible for redeveloping and commercially exploiting such land. The authority has been given 119 commercial plots to develop, 35 of which have already had their bids accepted for a total lease value of 2,835 crore.

The plan is to expedite the leasing of the remaining plots, some of which are located in prime areas within cities and near tourist attractions. This aims to complete the process by FY25. Leasing these lands for commercial use will allow the railways to generate lease rent annually over the lease period, which could range from 45 to 99 years. This approach offers a quicker way to monetize railway assets compared to other methods.

In previous fiscal years, Indian Railways monetized assets worth ₹133 crore in FY21, ₹655 crore in FY22, and ₹3,000 crore in FY23. Developing prime land parcels for commercial use is favoured by private developers and is an efficient way for the railways to monetize assets. This approach is especially crucial since the railways have been slower in monetizing assets compared to other infrastructure sector ministries.

Vibrant Debut: ICF Launches New Orange Color Vande Bharat Express

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Vibrant Debut: ICF Launches New Orange Color Vande Bharat Express

CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai has launched a fresh Vande Bharat Express with a unique orange-gray color theme. This marks the 31st Vande Bharat Express produced by ICF, a significant milestone.

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Recently, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had visited the factory to inspect the under-construction orange-themed train.

Interestingly, ICF is stepping into new territory with this venture, experimenting with a unique orange-gray color theme. This debut will see the manufacturing of a single rake of the orange-gray Vande Bharat Express.

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Though the exterior is undergoing a color transformation, the interiors of the Vande Bharat Express remain unaltered. Notably, the orange-gray train incorporates the 25 improvements introduced in the latest batch of Vande Bharat Express trains.

The 8-coach AC chair car train boasts upgraded safety features and passenger amenities, shaped by passenger feedback. Enhancements include a more comfortable reclining angle for seats, optimized cushion hardness, extended footrests for Executive Chair Car seats, and soothing blue color seats. Not to mention, practical adjustments like deeper washbasins in toilets to prevent water splashing and improved accessibility to under-seat mobile charging points.

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Currently, Indian Railways operates 50 Vande Bharat Express train services on 25 routes, taking into account journeys in both directions. Excitingly, ICF is in the process of finalizing the interior design for a sleeper variant of the Vande Bharat Express, anticipated to outshine even the Rajdhani Express trains. This new and improved train is expected to be ready within this financial year, adding more dynamism to the railway network.

Patna Metro: Rajendra Nagar Metro Station as an Interchange Hub for Rajendra Nagar Rail Commuters

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Patna Metro: Rajendra Nagar Metro Station as an Interchange Hub for Rajendra Nagar Rail Commuters

PATNA (Metro Rail News): Rajendra Nagar Underground Metro Station would be a typical metro station in corridor-II of Patna metro rail project where people will have access to railway terminal. It is an underground station proposed partially below the Kankarbagh main road and partially below the parking area of Rajendra Nagar Railway Station.
The proposed Metro station of corridor- II will be a level underground metro station after Patna Junction Metro station with rail level at a depth of approx. 21m from the ground level.

Vital mode of transport for the railway commuter

As this metro station shall provide a vital mode of transport for the railway commuter, hence this metro station is planned and designed in coordination with East Central Railway (ECR). Also, the station has been integrated with the redevelopment proposal of Rajendra Nagar Terminal Railway Station, which is an upcoming development project of East Central Railway (ECR).

This station will provide a seamless commuting facility for commuters residing in Kankarbagh, Doctors Colony, Kanti factory road, Kumhrar, etc., to reach Rajendra Nagar Terminal Railway Station.
Rajendra Nagar Metro Station proposals have been formulated for facilitating efficient pedestrian dispersal and traffic movement.

Facilities for passengers
· The station will have two entry/exit gates along with one Fire Escape Staircase.
· One Entry/Exit – is inside the Railway Premise
· Other Entry/Exit- towards the College of Commerce, Art & Science, i.e. on the other side of the railway Station.
· Thus, the Entry/Exit shall also serve the purpose of the safe pedestrian crossing of the road.

Arrangements for emergency situations

· One Fire Escape Staircase is planned along the Kankarbagh main road for dealing with all emergency cases.
It is to be noted that the planning of this station has been done in consultation with the Railway authority for the development of Rajendra Nagar railway station. Construction of the metro station is being done in phases considering the commuter inconvenience.

Afcons Emerges As the Lowest Bidder for Jaipur Metro Phase 1C Civil Work Contract

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Afcons Emerges As the Lowest Bidder for Jaipur Metro Phase 1C Civil Work Contract

JAIPUR (Metro Rail News): Afcons Infrastructure emerged as the lowest bidder for the civil construction contract (Package UG-03) of a new phase of Jaipur Metro. This new phase, known as Phase 1C, will extend the existing Pink Line by 3.41 km, connecting Badi Chaupar to Transport Nagar.

In this expansion, 2.65 km of the route will be constructed underground through the old city using twin tunnels, and there will be a new station at Ramganj Chaupar. Additionally, 0.76 km of the route will be elevated with another new station at Transport Nagar.

The scope of JMRC’s project includes “Design and Construction of Twin Tunnel using Shield TBM, Underground Station (Ramganj Chaupar), Cut and Cover Tunnel Box and Underground Ramp from Badi Chaupar dead end Ch:10387.860 to Underground ramp end Ch:13040 of Jaipur Metro Phase-1C including Architectural finishing, Entry-Exit Structures, water supply, Sanitary Installations and Drainage Works at Jaipur, Rajasthan.”

The Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation (JMRC) had sought bids for the underground section’s construction in June 2023. The technical bids from different companies were opened last week, revealing four bidders.

Here are the financial bid values from the competing firms:

• Afcons Infrastructure: Rs. 630.45 crore
• Sam India Builtwell: Rs. 651.22 crore
• ITD Cementation: Rs. 735.18 crore
• J Kumar Infraprojects: Rs. 750.45 crore

Afcons Infrastructure’s bid was notably lower than JMRC‘s estimated cost of Rs. 717.23 crore, indicating the potential for a contract to be awarded in the coming months without prolonged financial bid evaluation.

The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Jaipur Metro Phase 1C was prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in June 2020. DMRC, serving as the General Consultant for the project, had previously suggested that the existing 10 4-car BEML train-sets would suffice for this extension, eliminating the need for additional rolling stock.

Railways to Upgrade Tracks with High-Strength Rail to Boost Train Speeds

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Railways to Upgrade Tracks with High-Strength Rail to Boost Train Speeds

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Indian Railways is gearing up to upgrade its tracks using high-strength rails known as R-350. This move is crucial for the operation of high-speed trains. Alongside track upgrades, the railway ministry is implementing various measures to enhance train technology and safety. These include the installation of an anti-collision system called Kavach and the fencing of tracks.

The railway ministry recently issued guidelines for the adoption of R350HT grade rails on its network. These rails have a proven track record globally, eliminating the need for field trials. Although they will be produced by Indian companies and used for the first time by Indian Railways, they will be closely monitored for a specific duration to detect any unusual behaviour.

According to sources, the Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) is gearing up to initiate the production of these rails in the next few months. The railways will soon invite tenders to procure these rails, which will ultimately help in overcoming current speed limitations caused by infrastructure challenges.

To address safety concerns, the Kavach system is being expanded, and tracks are being fenced to prevent accidents involving cattle and other animals on the tracks.

Additionally, work is being done to make the next-gen Vande Bharat trains with sleeper coaches go even faster, up to 220 kmph. Work is also in progress to enhance the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah lines, allowing trains to run at 160 kmph. All these steps collectively aim to modernize the Indian Railways network and provide better travel experiences for passengers.

DMRC Invites E-Tender for INR 426.88 Crore Subway Construction Between Museums in Patna

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DMRC Invites E-Tender for INR 426.88 Crore Subway Construction Between Museums in Patna

DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) Ltd. has invited an open e-tender for Tunnel (subway) construction between Bihar and Patna Museum with an estimated cost of INR 426.88 Crores, inclusive of GST at 18%.

The scope of work for the contract PC-08R includes “Design and Construction of Single Tunnel (SUBWAY) between Bihar Museum and Patna Museum by Shield TBM, Fire Escapes, Ancillary building, Entry/Exits building including Architectural Finishing, Water Supply, Sanitary Installation & Drainage works at Patna.”

The required security amount for the tender is INR 1 Crore. Bidders should take note that the payment of the tender security should be made from the bidder’s own account. In the case of a Joint Venture (JV) or Consortium, the tender security can be paid from the JV/Consortium account or one of the constituent member’s account.

The completion period for this extensive project is set at 30 months.

A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for September 1, 2023. The meeting will be conducted virtually through software apps like Cisco Webex. Prospective bidders must provide the details of the participating individuals (up to two persons) for the virtual meeting by August 31, 2023.

Tender submissions will start from September 19, 2023 and will continue until September 26, 2023.

Metro Railway’s GM Inspects Battery Energy Storage System at Masterda Surya Sen Metro Station

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Metro Railway’s GM Inspects Battery Energy Storage System at Masterda Surya Sen Metro Station

KOLKATA (Metro Rail News): Metro Railway’s General Manager, Shri P Uday Kumar Reddy, recently inspected the North-South Metro stretch, specifically from Jatin Das Park to Kavi Subhash stations, on August 16, 2023. He paid special attention to the upcoming Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Masterda Surya Sen Metro station. This innovative system combines inverters and Advance Chemistry Cell (ACC) Batteries, serving as a reliable backup during power cuts or grid failures. The BESS system can even move stalled trains in tunnels or on the viaduct to the nearest Metro station during sudden power cuts. Shri Reddy also assessed the existing power backup system in use at the Metro stations.

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Beginning his inspection journey from Jatin Das Park Metro station after commercial hours, the General Manager moved towards Masterda Surya Sen station. Here, he examined the newly installed anti-door opening system in a Medha rake (MR-416). This safety feature prevents doors from opening between stations and on the non-platform side. Shri Ashim Majumder, Principal Chief Electrical Engineer, explained the system’s working to Shri Reddy during this inspection, alongside other senior officers.

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Shri Reddy conveyed his contentment with the system’s performance and expressed hopes for it to significantly enhance passenger safety.

Upcoming Centrally-Heated Vande Bharat Trains Set to Serve Jammu and Kashmir Region

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Upcoming Centrally-Heated Vande Bharat Trains Set to Serve Jammu and Kashmir Region

CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): Chennai’s Integral Coach Factory (ICF) is gearing up to launch distinctive Vande Bharat trains next year, tailored with heating amenities within compartments to suit the conditions of Jammu and Kashmir. The General Manager of ICF, B G Mallya, shared this during Independence Day celebrations. The new trains will have heating and water facilities. The design includes pipes to prevent freezing and damage.

ICF’s goal is to create various versions of Vande Bharat trains. It plans to make 3,241 coaches in about 30 types this year. This includes push-pull trains featuring LHB coaches, providing a comparable experience to Vande Bharat trains in non-AC sections.

These new trains will have great interiors and top-notch amenities, like Vande Bharat. Specially designed engines will be at both ends for better speed.

ICF will also make a sleeper version for long travel, Vande Metro for short distances, and a Gati Shakti for quick freight within Vande Bharat. Gati Shakti will help move e-commerce, goods, and refrigerated items.

Despite challenges, ICF increased the production of new Vande Bharat trains. They have already made 30 trains connecting cities across India. Last year, they made 2,702 coaches, including 12 advanced Vande Bharat trains and 2,261 LHB coaches.

NMRC Introduces Dynamic QR Code Payment Option at Ticket Counters

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NMRC Introduces Dynamic QR Code Payment Option at Ticket Counters

NOIDA (Metro Rail News): In its continuous endeavor to enhance passenger convenience by implementing digital and seamless means of travel, Noida Metro extended the option of payment by Unified Payments Interface (UPI) at ticket counters across all 21 stations of Aqualine. This extended facility was launched today by Dr. Lokesh M., IAS, Managing Director, NMRC from Sector-51 Metro station of Aqua Line.

Details of the facility Inaugurated:-

The Digital India programme is a flagship programme of the Government of India with a vision to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy, promotion of digital payments has been accorded the highest priority by the Government of India to extend digital payment services to every segment in the country. The vision is to provide digital payments facilities to all citizens in a convenient, easy, affordable, quick and secured manner.

In order to promote digital payments in line with Govt of India directions for promotion of digital payment and ensure smooth operations and facilitate the passengers of NMRC, new payment option of UPI has been enabled in the TOM interface at Ticket Counters. The BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money) UPI (Unified Payments Interface) is a unified payment method developed and promoted by NPCI (National Payment Corporation of India).

The current QR ticket purchase system has payments through either cash or credit/debit card. The new facility of extending payments of single journey tickets by means of UPI at Ticket counters will definitely add to passenger convenience and faster processing of tickets at counters, leading to less waiting time and no requirement of cash change as the exact ticket amount can be paid through UPI.

2) The payment mode now includes the following options:-

a) By Cash – Already existing

b) By Credit/Debit Card (Using POS) – Already existing

c) By UPI through Dynamic QR code- Started from 17.08.2023

3) The fare collection from cash and Credit/Debit Card (Using POS) remains the same as earlier. In the UPI mode of payment, the QR code with relevant fare details shall get displayed to the passenger on the display of TOM (at ticket counters) towards passenger side as well as to the operator as shown in the display.

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4) The passenger shall scan the QR code for UPI payment through any of the service providers as suitable to the passenger.

5) After successful completion of payment and amount deduction from the passenger’s account, TOM display of the operator will show “Ticket print” and the operator shall proceed to generate the QR ticket and the transaction receipt.

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