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South Eastern Railway’s General Manager Assumes New Role at Rail Wheel Factory

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Archana Joshi, now assumes the role of general manager at the Rail Wheel Factory in Yalahanka, Karnataka
Archana Joshi, now assumes the role of general manager at the Rail Wheel Factory in Yalahanka, Karnataka

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): In a series of transfers for senior officials following a tragic triple train accident on June 2 that claimed the lives of over 290 people, the general manager of South Eastern Railway has been transferred to the Rail Wheel Factory in Yelahanka, Karnataka as general manager. The Railway Board had previously transferred five senior officials, including the assistant general manager and the divisional railway manager.

Based on the Railway Board‘s recommendation, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has appointed Anil Kumar Mishra, an officer of the Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers, as the new general manager of South Eastern Railway. This position was previously held by Archana Joshi, a 1985-batch officer of the Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS).

Archana Joshi, who took charge as the general manager of South Eastern Railway on July 30, 2021, will now assume the role of general manager at the Rail Wheel Factory in Yalahanka, Karnataka. Before her appointment as the general manager, she served as an additional member in tourism and catering at the Ministry of Railways, Railway Board. Notably, she was the first woman IRTS officer to become a general manager.

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Chennai Metro Rail Partners with NLC India for Green Power Solutions

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CMRL signing agreement with NLC India Limited
CMRL signing agreement with NLC India Limited

CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) has recently entered into an agreement with NLC India Limited (CAT1 Licensee) to tap into power through open access. This strategic partnership aims to optimize CMRL’s power procurement costs while ensuring access to green or environmentally-friendly power sources. The power will be sourced from the Indian Power Exchange, providing CMRL with a reliable and sustainable solution.

The contract agreement was officially signed at MetroS, Nandanam, Chennai, in the presence of esteemed officials from both CMRL and NLC India Limited. Thiru. Rajesh Chaturvedi, Director (Systems and Operations) of CMRL, along with Tmt P. Vasughi, General Manager (Commercial) of NLCIL, signed the agreement. Also, Dr Prasanna Acharya, Director Finance of CMRL, and other distinguished representatives were present at the ceremony.

The partnership between CMRL and NLC India Limited marks a noteworthy development in the pursuit of sustainable and cost-effective power solutions for Chennai’s metro rail network.

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K T Rama Rao Unveils Ambitious Plans for Hyderabad’s Future Development

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Telangana
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TELANGANA (Metro Rail News): On Thursday, the Telangana Municipal Administration Minister K T Rama Rao unveiled the government’s ambitious plans for the future development of Hyderabad during a gathering of realtors.

The minister emphasized the expansion of the Metro network to 250 km in the city. One of the key projects announced by the minister is the introduction of the new Airport Express Metro, spanning 31 km from Shamshabad to Raidurg.

Additionally, the phase 2 expansion of the Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited from BHEL to Lakdi-ka-pul (26 km) and Jubilee Bus Station to ECIL will further enhance the existing network of the HMRL, which currently stands at 71 km.

Minister KTR emphasized that the Airport Express Metro is not solely intended for air travellers but will also open up the southwest corridor of Hyderabad.

The removal of GO-111, a government order that previously restricted development in the catchment areas of Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar lakes, has cleared the path for construction projects in the region.

In addition to the metro expansion, Minister KTR discussed various other initiatives planned for Hyderabad’s growth. He highlighted the upcoming Pharma City, located 30 km south of the airport, which is expected to spur economic development in the southern and southeastern parts of the city.

Furthermore, the minister mentioned the potential for the electronics and aerospace industries in Kongarakalan, Adibatla, and Ghatkesar to contribute to developing the eastern regions of Hyderabad.

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RITES Ltd. Invites Tenders for Supplying & Erecting Structural Steel Works for BMRCL Metro Depot

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BENGALURU (Metro Rail News): RITES Ltd. has invited open tenders for supplying, fabricating, and erecting structural steel works, including roofing, for the proposed Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) Metro Depot at Challaghatta.

The tender notice, with tender No. RITES/BMCRL-CHALLAGHATTA/OT/01/2023 was issued on 27 June 2023 at an estimated cost of Rs. 66.28 crores.

The bid process will follow a Two Packet System, allowing participants to submit their online percentage rate bids. The tender document costs Rs. 18,000/-, and an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of Rs. 1,00,00,000/- is required.

The project is expected to be completed within 9 months. The last date for bid submission is 18 July 2023 by 17:00 hrs.

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RITES Invites Bids for 25 KV OHE System in Maheshpur Colliery Railway Siding

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Eastern Railways
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JHARKHAND (Metro Rail News): On 29 June 2023, the General Manager of RITES Ltd, acting as the Project Unit Head, issued an invitation on behalf of Bharat Coking Coal Ltd. (BCCL) for online percentage rate bids. For a significant project, bids are being requested on a two-packet system.

The project involves the design, drawing, supply, erection, testing, and commissioning of a 25 KV OHE (Overhead Equipment) system for the Maheshpur Colliery Railway siding.

The Tender number No. 04/OT/RITES/PU-RNC/BCCL/Maheshpur is open at an estimated cost of Rs. 11,40,70,139.

For the 10-month completion duration, bidders are required to make an earnest money deposit of Rs. 22,82,000.

Additionally, the system will incorporate a rapid loading system near Sonardih station on the Dhanbad Division of the East Central Railway.

The deadline for bid submission is 21 July 2023 Upto 14:30 hrs.

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UP Cabinet Approves Proposal to Charge ‘Metro and RRTS Cess’ on Developers in Ghaziabad & Meerut

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GHAZIABAD (Metro Rail News): On Wednesday, the Uttar Pradesh (UP) cabinet approved a proposal that will require developers in cities with upcoming metro and Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) services to pay a ‘metro and RRTS cess’. Initially, this charge is expected to be implemented in Ghaziabad and Meerut, where the construction of the RRTS corridor, known as the RapidX corridor, is underway.

The cess is expected to be implemented in Ghaziabad within a 1.5 km radius of the RapidX or metro track. Former chief town planner Asheesh Shivpuri commented, “Nothing has been finalized yet, including the exact area where the cess will be implemented and the rate at which developers will be required to pay.

The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) will likely consider a 1.5km area along the two corridors to impose the cess.”Developers stand to immediately benefit from these projects, he continued. A system should be in place to put the cess into effect. Once a rule is established, the specifics will become more obvious.

In 2014-15, the development authority had previously announced a metro and Hindon elevated road cess of Rs 750/sqm to be imposed on builders. However, 27 builders challenged this move in the Allahabad High Court.

In 2021, the high court ruled in favour of the developers, instructing the GDA to refund approximately Rs 50 crore it had collected until then while approving building layouts.

Gaurav Gupta, the secretary at Credai’s NCR chapter, recalled how the GDA had previously imposed a cess on areas along the Hindon elevated road and the Delhi Metro’s Red Line, asserting that builders in localities such as Raj Nagar Extension would benefit directly from these projects.

“However, the decision was unexpected, which prompted us to move the high court. Nevertheless, the cabinet has now approved the proposal, indicating that it is a policy decision that will likely be implemented in other districts as well. It is not solely the concern of the GDA,” Gupta explained.

He said they haven’t decided whether to return to court yet. “At this time, we are not certain about our choice. Even the possibility of contesting such a judgement is debatable. We will therefore wait for the formal notice,” Gupta said.

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Madurai Metro Rail: 27 Stations Planned for the Project, DPR to be Submitted by 15 July

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Chennai Metro
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MADURAI (Metro Rail News): The Madurai Metro Rail Project, connecting Tirumangalam with Othakadai, is set to have a total of 27 metro stations. Chennai Metro Rail Managing Director M.A. Siddique provided details about the project during a press conference after a meeting with various officials at the Madurai Collectorate. The proposed plan suggests one metro station for every kilometre on the elevated structure and one for every 1.5 kilometres in the underground structure.

During the meeting, Mr. Siddique assured the media that the detailed project report (DPR) would be prepared soon and submitted to the government on July 15, along with the DPR for the Coimbatore metro project. According to his statement, three out of the total 27 proposed metro stations in Madurai will be located underground. These underground stations are planned to be situated near Madurai railway junction/Periyar bus stand, Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, and Goripalayam. The station close to the temple is expected to be constructed either beneath North Masi Street or North Avani Moola Street, and further evaluation is currently underway.

Mr Siddique also addressed concerns about the impact of the metro line and station on the heritage buildings and temple car processions. He assured that necessary measures would be taken to ensure minimal disruption to these cultural aspects.

Once the DPR is submitted, approved by the government, and funds are allocated, the construction of the Madurai Metro Rail Project will commence. The elevated structure, spanning 27 kilometres, is estimated to take approximately 3.6 years to complete, while the underground structure, covering 5 kilometres, will take around 4.6 years. Government officials.

The field study of multiple places in the city for the project implementation has also been done by the officials. The meeting was attended by Collector M.S. Sangeetha, Chennai Metro Rail Director (Projects) T. Archunan, Corporation Commissioner K.J. Praveen Kumar, District Revenue Officer R. Sakthivel, and others.

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Techno Feasibility Study Commences for Ballabhgarh-Palwal Metro Rail

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CHANDIGARH (Metro Rail News): On Tuesday, a team of experts from Haryana Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (HMRTC) and Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) commenced a techno feasibility study for the Ballabhgarh-Palwal metro rail.The study was directed by Chief Minister ML Khattar on June 26.

The proposed Ballabhgarh-Palwal corridor will be approximately 24 km long and will have 10 stations. It aims to provide connectivity to the industrial areas of Sector 58-59, Sikri, Prithla, Alhapur, Baghola, Softa, and Palwal.

During the study, alternative options for the metro rail system will be explored. The alignment of the corridor will be determined through discussions with NHAI and other stakeholders. There are plans to integrate Ballabhgarh railway station, Raja Nahar Singh metro station, Ballabhgarh bus stand, and Palwal bus stand.

The techno-feasibility study, conducted by RITES Limited, is expected to be completed in the next few days. In addition, preparations are underway to develop a comprehensive mobility plan for Palwal.

According to the spokesperson, “The metro rail corridor is planned to be elevated and is estimated to cost around ₹180 crore per kilometer. The entire project is expected to cost approximately ₹4,320 crore.”

Chief Minister Khattar announced on Sunday that government had given the green light for a metro link between Ballabgarh and Palwal. He emphasized that this development would enhance connectivity and accelerate the area’s progress.

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Indian Railways’ “Hydrogen for Heritage”: 35 Hydrogen Trains for a Greener Future

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Hydrogen Train
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NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Under the ‘Hydrogen for  Heritage’ project, the Indian Railways have unveiled their ambitious plan to operate 35 hydrogen trains, marking a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions in the transportation sector.

With the introduction of these innovative trains, the railway network in India is set to make substantial progress in creating a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.

By using hydrogen fuel cells instead of conventional diesel engines, the Hydrogen for a Heritage initiative hopes to revolutionize the railway sector.

The project aims to minimize harmful pollutants by embracing clean energy sources and setting an example for sustainable transportation practices.

In response to a question posed in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the project’s development and revealed that the prototype train would undergo field trials on the Jind-Sonipat section of the Northern Railways.

For the necessary ground infrastructure, the project’s initial phase will cost an estimated Rs. 80 crores for each train and Rs. 70 crores per route.

In a remarkable move, the Indian Railways has already awarded a pilot project worth Rs. 111.80 crores for retrofitting a hydrogen fuel cell on an existing Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) rakes, along with the associated ground infrastructure.

The trials for these revolutionary trains are scheduled to commence in March 2024, as announced by Shobhan Chaudhry, the General Manager of Northern Railway. With full momentum behind the initiative, the Indian Railways is on track to test and validate the feasibility and efficacy of hydrogen-powered trains.

These trains hold immense potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions, marking a monumental step towards a greener and more environmentally friendly future for India’s railway network.

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PM Modi Flags Off 5 Vande Bharat Express Trains, Boosting Connectivity Across States

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PM Modi Flagging off Vande Bharat Express
PM Modi Flagging off Vande Bharat Express

BHOPAL (Metro Rail News): Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi flagged off five Vande Bharat Express trains from Rani Kamlapati Railway Station in Bhopal on 27 June. These trains will improve connectivity in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, Jharkhand, and Bihar.
The five Vande Bharat Express trains flagged off by PM Modi are Rani Kamalapati (Bhopal)-Jabalpur Vande Bharat Express, Khajuraho-Bhopal-Indore Vande Bharat Express, Dharwad-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express, Madgaon (Goa)-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express , and Hatia-Patna Vande Bharat Express.

Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the Goa (Madgaon)-Mumbai, Ranchi-Patna, and Dharwad-Bengaluru train routes through a virtual ceremony. Subsequently, he inaugurated the Bhopal-Indore and Bhopal-Jabalpur Vande Bharat trains, which departed simultaneously from Rani Kamlapati Station after the inauguration.

The Khajuraho-Bhopal-Indore Vande Bharat Express will run faster by two hours and thirty minutes compared to the fastest existing train on this route, connecting the Malwa Region (Indore) and Bundelkhand Region (Khajuraho) to the Central Region (Bhopal).

The Vande Bharat Express running between Madgaon (Goa) and Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) is the first Vande Bharat Express in Goa, connecting the two stations.

The Dharwad-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express will connect important cities in Karnataka, such as Dharwad, Hubballi, and Davangere, with the state capital, Bengaluru. It will be faster by approximately thirty minutes compared to the fastest train on the route.

Also, the introduction of the Vande Bharat Express on the Hatia-Patna route will mark the inaugural Vande Bharat service for the states of Jharkhand and Bihar.
This route will reduce journey time by about one hour and twenty-five minutes.

According to railway officials, the introduction of these indigenous Vande Bharat trains will enhance connectivity between state capitals and other cities, resulting in reduced travel time and improved passenger comfort during the journey.

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