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Ircon International Secures Contract Worth Rs 144 Crore From N F Railway Construction

19/07/2023

Northeast Railway — Representational image only

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Ircon International Ltd, a prominent construction company under the Ministry of Railways, has announced its successful bid for orders worth Rs 144 crore from N F Railway Construction in Manipur.

The Letter of Acceptance (LoA) from N F Railway Construction was received by the company on July 17th.

As per the regulatory filing, Ircon has been entrusted with the task of supplying, testing, installing, and commissioning an integrated tunnel communication system, optical fibre cable-based industrial-grade network system. This comprehensive project will involve laying optical fibre cables and other necessary cables across tunnels and stations in the Jiribam-Khongsang section of the Jiribam-Imphal new railway line project.

The competitive bidding process led to Ircon’s successful acquisition of this Rs 144 crore-order. The project is expected to be completed within 365 days from the issuance of the Letter of Acceptance (LoA).

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CMRL Signs INR 1204.87 Cr Contract with TATA Projects for Station Construction

Staff Reporter

19/07/2023

Contract Signing Ceremony between TATA Projects and CMRL

CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): On Tuesday, the Chennai Metro Rail Limited signed a contract with M/s TATA Projects Limited for a project worth INR 1204.87 Cr. This agreement, part of the funding received from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), marks an important milestone in the expansion of Chennai’s metro rail network.

The contract, C3-CP02-UG-02, was awarded to M/s TATA Projects Limited following the issuance of a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) on June 2, 2023. The scope of work entails the construction of four underground stations at Otteri, Perambur Barracks Road, Pattalam, and Kellys and works other than diaphragm wall of two underground stations at Ayanavaram & Puraisaiwakkam High Road Cum Crossover Box In Corridor-3 Of Chennai Metro Phase-II Project, a press release stated.

The signing ceremony was attended by esteemed personalities, including Thiru. M.A. Siddique I.A.S., the Managing Director of CMRL. Thiru. T. Archunan, Director (Projects) of CMRL, and Thiru. Raman Kapil, Executive Vice President of M/s TATA Projects Limited.

The presence of Thiru. T. Livingstone Eliazer, Chief General Manager (PP&D), Tmt. Rekha Prakash, Chief General Manager (PD), and Thiru. Reepu Daman Dube, Joint General Manager (UG), among other officials from the General Contractor (GC) and the contracting company, added significance to the event.

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Major Reshuffle in Indian Railways as 35 DRMs Transferred Across Zones

Staff Reporter

18/07/2023

DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Indian Railways has undergone a major reshuffle with the transfer of 35 Divisional Railway Managers (DRM) across different zones in the country. Each of the 70 divisions is headed by a DRM. The transfers were made to ensure effective management and supervision of railway operations.

Bhartesh Kumar Jain, previously with the South Eastern Railway, has been posted as the Divisional Railway Manager of the South Central Railway’s Secunderabad division. Eerya Bhukya Vishwanath, who served in the South Central Railway, is now the Divisional Railway Manager of the Southern Railway’s Chennai division.

The transfers of DRMs occur periodically as they have a two-year tenure. The Railway spokesperson explained that transfers are done in batches since all 70 DRMs can’t be transferred simultaneously.

These transfers come in the wake of the tragic Balasore train accident on June 2, which resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives and over 1,000 injuries. The Central Bureau of Investigation has sent three accused members (Arun Kumar Mahanta, Senior Section Engineer/ Signal, Mohd. Amir Khan, Section Engineer, and Pappu Kumar, Technician) to judicial custody, and the Commissioner of Railway Safety emphasized the importance of proper supervision in maintenance work and wiring to prevent such accidents.

The incident highlighted the need for a vigilant supervisory staff to ensure a culture of safety in the Railways. A DRM holds a crucial role as the administrative head and CEO of the division, overseeing train operations, track maintenance, and other assets within the division’s jurisdiction. DRMs report to the General Manager of their respective zones, with a total of 19 zones in the Indian Railway System.

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Track Laying Work Begins in Delhi’s Underground Section on RRTS Corridor

Staff Reporter

18/07/2023

Track work commences on the underground section of RRTS corridor.

DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Track-laying work has begun in the underground tunnels of the Delhi segment on the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor. On both the up and down platforms of the Anand Vihar station, this procedure has started, and track slabs are now being placed. The track laying work will soon be carried out in the tunnels and move in the direction of the New Ashok Nagar station as this project advances. Both parallel tunnels that run from Anand Vihar to New Ashok Nagar have already been built.

In addition, the elevated segment between New Ashok Nagar RAPIDX station and the Khichripur underground tunnel ramp has had almost 2 kilometres of track installed. For both the up and down lines, a total of 5 kilometres of the track will be installed on this elevated segment between Anand Vihar and New Ashok Nagar, out of which approximately 2 kilometres of that track have already been laid.

The viaduct construction from New Ashok Nagar to the Khichripur ramp is finished, and the ramp connecting the underground tunnel and elevated section is in its final phase. This will soon connect the underground and elevated sections of the Delhi corridor.

For the first time in India, advanced technology is being used to produce high-strength ballastless track slabs. These slabs have a longer lifespan, require less maintenance, and reduce overall costs. These slab tracks, measuring 4m x 2.4m, are made of high-quality concrete. A PCC (Plain Cement Concrete) base is first constructed to strengthen the track in the circular tunnel.

To reduce tunnel vibrations caused by high-speed trains, NCRTC is implementing a mass-spring system. In the process of this mass-spring system installation, a layer of first-level concrete is applied on the tunnel’s surface, before laying the slab tracks in the tunnels. After that, a mass-spring sheet is laid on this layer, and the track is laid on top of it. It significantly reduces the vibration inside the tunnel.

After installing the slab tracks, the signalling system and traction (OHE) installation will begin. The track technology will enable the operation of high-speed, high-frequency RAPIDX trains with a design speed of 180 km/h, ensuring passenger safety and comfort.
The construction of Sarai Kale Khan, New Ashok Nagar, and Anand Vihar RAPIDX stations is progressing well, with advanced work on platforms and concourse levels. The goal is to commission the entire Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor by 2025, with the Sahibabad to Duhai Depot section already ready for operations.

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Central Railway’s Sustainable Step: Solar Plants to be Established on 2,700 Acres of Land

Staff Reporter

17/07/2023

Solar Plant installation by Central Railway in Nagpur Division — Representational image only

NAGPUR (Metro Rail News): In a significant commitment to renewable energy, the Central Railway has announced its plans to establish 1MW solar plants at 81 locations across its network including one at Ajni, Nagpur.

Shivraj Manaspure, chief public relations officer (CPRO), stated that about 2,700 acres of unoccupied or underused railway land has been located to enable the installation of solar systems. These areas have enormous potential for the development of solar power infrastructure and would contribute in further lowering the carbon emissions of the Indian Railway.

As part of its sustainability efforts, Central Railway has already installed solar rooftop plants with an expanded capacity of 135kWp at various stations in the year 2023.

Solar rooftop plants have been installed successfully at many stations in the Solapur division, including Osmanabad, Barshi, Wadsinge, Salgare, Parewadi, Mohol, and Tilati. In the Nagpur division, installations have been completed at Kala Akhar, Pola Patthar, Maramjhiri, Taku, Jaulkhera, and Dodaramohar stations.

Additionally, the railways has also won a tender for a 1MW capacity solar plant for the new Ajni electric locomotive shed. This solar power facility will provide sustainable energy and help the railway become less reliant on non-renewable resources through a power purchase agreement (PPA). Further increasing its use of solar energy and reaffirming its commitment to a cleaner future, Central Railway also has plans to build a 1MW solar facility in Pune.

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Bengaluru Metro: Pink Line likely to be Operationalised by March 2025

Staff Reporter

17/07/2023

Bengaluru Metro/ Representational image only

BENGALURU (Metro Rail News ): BMRCL (Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited) has set a deadline of March 2025 for the commencement of commercial operations on the Pink Line, which spans from Kalena Agrahara to Nagawara, covering a distance of 21.3km. The BMRCL is also constructing a 13.8km tunnel network from Dairy Circle to Nagawara as part of the Pink Line project.

Mr. Anjum Parwez, Managing Director of BMRCL, said that 80% of the tunnel construction had already been finished. To construct the twin tunnels and stations, the agency undertook underground Metro work in four packages. Nine tunnel-boring machines were deployed; four are still working, and five have finished their assignment.

The tunnelling work for a stretch of over 4.5km from Vellara Junction to Pottery Town is nearing completion. Additionally, 80% of the work from Dairy Circle to Vellara Junction and 54% of the work between Tannery Road and Nagawara has been finished. BMRCL MD, Anjum Parwez, stated that the remaining works are progressing well, and their goal is to open the entire Pink Line at once.

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar recently inspected the tunnel works at MG Road and Lakkasandra and expressed satisfaction with the progress. Trial runs for the missing links of the Purple Line, from KR Puram to Byappanahalli and Kengeri to Challaghatta, will commence on July 22.

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Railways Plans to Acquire ₹5,000 Cr Kavach ATP Systems, Tenders to be Released Soon

Staff Reporter

17/07/2023

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Indian Railways plans to acquire Kavach automatic train protection (ATP) systems at a cost of ₹5,000 crore, two individuals familiar with the matter revealed. This decision comes in the wake of a tragic triple-train crash in Balasore, Odisha, resulting in the loss of almost 300 lives. The Kavach system aims to prevent head-on collisions by automatically applying brakes if the train pilot fails to see and respond to signals.

According to sources, two tenders for Kavach with a total of 12,000 kilometres (km) will be launched within a year against a tender for 3,000 km that was issued in the year 2021. The Kavach ATP system, developed by the RDSO (Research Design and Standards Organization) in collaboration with the Indian industry, underwent testing by South Central Railway ( SCR).

‘It is suggested to start a DPR (detailed project report) soon so that bids may be requested by January of the following year for the commissioning of Kavach on the 6,000 kilometres of the railway network. Subsequently, another DPR for an additional 6,000 kilometers will be commissioned and implemented. The goal is to issue tenders for a total of 12,000 kilometers of Kavach coverage in phases next year,’ one of the two sources referenced earlier claimed.

While efforts are being made to expedite the installation of Kavach through efficient planning and execution, it is too early to provide a specific timeline for its complete installation, according to a railway ministry statement.

The development of India’s own ATP system began in 2012, with the final product, Kavach, being developed between 2016 and 2019. The railways issued a tender worth approximately ₹1,000 crores in 2021, covering 3,000 kilometres. Currently, about 1,445 kilometres of the railway network is equipped with Kavach. The aim is to add 7,000-8,000 kilometres of railway network under Kavach each year, aiming to cover the entire 70,000 kilometres of the railway network within a decade.

The Kavach system is best suited for heavily congested routes with frequent train intervals, where the gap between two trains is often minimal. Automatic block signalling will automatically halt trains if the driver fails to observe a signal.

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Kanpur Metro: TBM ‘Nana’ Launched from New Market Station for Tunnel Construction

Staff Reporter

15/07/2023

TBM Nana Launched from New Market Station

KANPUR (Metro Rail News): Today, the ‘Nana’ Tunnel Boring Machine was launched from the New Market underground station in the first corridor of the Kanpur Metro Rail Project (from IIT Kanpur to Naubasta). This machine will construct a 516-meter upline tunnel from New Market Station to Bada Chauraha. The project is progressing swiftly with the support of the team and residents of Kanpur.

Two tunnel boring machines, ‘Nana’ and ‘Tatya’, have already completed tunnel construction between Bada Chauraha and Naya Ganj (approximately 1005 meters) and between Chunniganj and New Market (approximately 750 meters) on the 4 km-long Chunniganj- Naya Ganj underground section. ‘Nana’ TBM achieved its first breakthrough on December 6 when it reached Naya Ganj while constructing the tunnel from Bada Chauraha. After retrieval from the retrieval shaft, it was re-launched from the launching shaft in Chunniganj. On June 14, it achieved its second breakthrough when it reached New Market. Instead of relaunching it, a dragging system was used to transport the machine from one end to another within the 215-meter-long New Market Station, saving time. From here, the machine will continue tunnel construction towards Bada Chauraha.

On the other hand, the ‘Tatya’ Tunnel Boring Machine recently arrived at New Market underground Station on July 10. Similar to ‘Nana’, it will be transported from one end to another within the station using a dragging system and positioned at the designated location. Afterwards, it will be launched for tunnel construction from New Market to Bada Chauraha.

During this occasion, Mr. Sushil Kumar, Managing Director of UPMRC, congratulated the team for their diligent efforts and the support of Kanpur residents, emphasizing the rapid progress of metro construction in the city. With the launch of the tunnel construction from New Market to Bada Chauraha, he expressed confidence in completing future corridors within the stipulated timeframe.

The tunnel boring machines used in the construction of the underground tunnels in Kanpur Metro’s mentioned underground sections are named after notable revolutionaries who played a crucial role in India’s struggle for independence and have a special connection to Kanpur—Nana Rao Peshwa and Tatya Tope.

Currently, the construction work is progressing rapidly on the Chunniganj-Naya Ganj underground section, as well as on the Kanpur Central-Transport Nagar underground section and the Baradevi-Naubasta elevated section under the first corridor of the Kanpur Metro Rail Project.

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Tamil Nadu’s Rail Infra Transformation: 160 KM Madurai-Tuticorin Doubling Project Completed

Staff Reporter

15/07/2023

TAMIL NADU (Metro Rail News): The Tamil Nadu state of India has witnessed a remarkable transformation in its rail infrastructure by the Indian Railways. The Madurai-Tuticorin Doubling Project, stretching 160 km, has been completed with the inspection of the Commissioner Railway Safety (CRS). The project was accomplished with a total cost of ₹1890 Crore.

The successful completion of this project will result in improved line capacity and shorter travel times between Chennai and Tuticorin, Tirunelveli, and other towns in South Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu falls under the jurisdiction of the Southern Railway (SR), which is headquartered in Chennai and is one of the 19 zones of Indian Railways. Established in 1951 by merging three state railways, the Southern Railway has grown to become the fourth-largest zone. Notably, the trains operated by the Southern Railway are recognized for their cleanliness. The Southern Railway zone consists of six divisions: Chennai, Palghat, Madurai, Trichy, Trivandrum, and Salem.

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CMRL to Procure 70 Additional Driverless Trains for Chennai Metro Phase II Project

Staff Reporter

15/07/2023

CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. (CMRL) will purchase an additional 70 three-coach driverless trains for its Phase II project. The project, valued at ₹61,843 crore, will span 116 km across three corridors: Madhavaram to SIPCOT (corridor 3), Light House to Poonamallee (corridor 4), and Madhavaram to Sholinganallur (corridor 5). Total of 138 driverless trains will be procured by CMRL for this phase 2 project.

CMRL officials have invited bids for the 70 trains, and the contract is expected to be awarded within the next 4-6 months. The funding for this procurement is part of a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Therefore, the chosen contractor must source 30.069% of the goods and services from Japanese companies or manufacturers.

The first train from this contract is anticipated to be delivered to CMRL after a two-year timeframe. Additionally, CMRL previously awarded a contract for 26 trains that will run on the Poonamallee-Power House stretch of corridor 3. Discussions are currently underway with the contractor to finalize the designs, with the first train expected to arrive in the city by mid-2024, an official said.

Furthermore, an additional 42 trains will be required for the Phase II project. CMRL had initially considered leasing the trains but later decided to issue tenders for their purchase. Tenders for the remaining 42 trains will be floated soon.

Overall, this procurement of driverless trains is a significant step in the development of Chennai’s metro rail network, aiming to enhance connectivity and provide efficient transportation for residents and commuters.

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