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Indian Railways Embraces PPP and EPC Modes for Station Redevelopment

17/06/2023

New Delhi Railway Station Redevelopment Project model — Image for representation only

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Indian Railway will allow a mix of Public-Private partnership (PPP) and Engineering Procurement and construction (EPC) modes to redevelop Stations.

According to the official statement, Coimbatore and Vijayawada stations may be the first to undergo PPP redevelopment, while Delhi and CST would undergo EPC redevelopment.

Furthermore, approval for the redevelopment of these stations will be sought in the next two months. The stations which are on the list for redevelopment through PPP mode include Anand Vihar, Tambram, Andheri, Dadar, Pune, Kalyan, Chennai Central, Vadodra, The Bangalore City, Bhopal, Hazrat Nizamuddin and Avadi stations.

As per the official information, the railway board called off the bid to redevelop the New Delhi Railway Station in EPC mode; earlier, the PPP mode also failed.

In September last year, the cabinet approved Rs. 10,000 crores to redevelop New Delhi, Mumbai (CST) & Ahmedabad railway stations. In which the lowest bid submitted was Rs.8,000 crore for the redevelopment of New Delhi Railway station, which was higher than the estimated value of Rs. 5,000 crores by the government.

Following the National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP), station redevelopment comes under the front-runner asset classes contributing approximately Rs. 76,250 crores for nearly 5% of the total stations in the country.

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Shri Rajeev Appointed as New Director (Systems and O&M) at MMRCL

Staff Reporter

17/06/2023

Mr. Rajeev, new appointed Director (System and O&M ) at MMRCL

MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) has recently announced the appointment of Shri Rajeev as the new Director (Systems and O&M).

With an illustrious career spanning over 20 years with the Indian Railways and extensive expertise in the Metro Rail System, Rajeev is ready to make significant contributions to the development and operation of Mumbai’s metro network.

In the year 1995, Mr. Rajeev began his career with Indian Railways and held various pivotal positions for over 20 years until February 2016. His extensive experience in Rolling Stock, Overhead Traction, Power Supply, E&M, and other vital areas has earned him a commendable reputation in the industry.

Moreover, Rajeev also served as Central Railway’s Deputy Chief Vigilance Officer (Electrical) for five years. Later, joining MMRC in March 2016 as General Manager (Rolling Stock), Rajeev swiftly ascended to Executive Director (Rolling Stock). During his tenure, he successfully oversaw the operations of the Rolling Stock, Depot Plant & Equipment, and other key departments at MMRC, showcasing his exceptional leadership and management skills.

With his latest appointment as the Director (Systems and O&M), Rajeev will spearhead the strategic planning and execution of Mumbai Metro’s systems and operations.

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Opportunity for Business and Office Spaces at CMRL Premises

Staff Reporter

17/06/2023

CMRL in a meeting with Empanelled business development consultant

CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has opened opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs to set up shop or establish office spaces within CMRL-owned premises.

In a recent meeting organized by CMRL, the Director (Finance), Dr Prasanna Kumar Acharya, along with Thiru. R.M. Krishnan, CGM (P & BD), and the Empanelled Business Development Consultant discussed collaborating to provide transaction advisory and bid process management services for retail spaces and land parcels across Chennai Metro Rail Stations.

Following the meeting, the primary objective of this partnership is to boost CMRL’s non-fare box revenue by identifying potential commercial retail operators and office seekers interested in the available commercial spaces within CMRL’s portfolio.

The other Business Development Consultants, leveraging their market expertise and deep real estate industry knowledge, will act as a bridge for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and help CMRL attract investors and occupiers for its land parcels.

The commercial spaces, ranging from 3000 Sqm to 10,000 Sqm, are strategically located near prominent Metro Stations, including Nehru Park, Saidapet, Arumbakkam, Pachaiyappa’s College, Central Square, Mannadi, Wimco Nagar, and Koyambedu.

These locations offer a prime opportunity for businesses across various sectors, such as retail, hospitality, healthcare, warehousing, and industrial, to establish a strong presence within Chennai’s thriving metro network.

Interested individuals and organizations can obtain further information by contacting CMRL’s business development wing or the CMRL Empanelled Business Development Consultant. The consultant’s contact details can be found on CMRL’s official website.

CMRL’s initiative to provide commercial and office spaces within their premises aims to generate additional revenue and fosters a conducive environment for businesses to thrive. This collaboration presents a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs, retailers, and organizations seeking well-connected and strategically located spaces to establish their presence in the bustling city of Chennai.

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L&T Emerges as Lowest Bidder for Mumbai-Ahmedabad HSR C3 Contract in Maharashtra

Staff Reporter

17/06/2023

NHSRCL has completed 33% of land acquisition in Maharashtra for MAHSR Corridor — Image Source: NHSRCL

MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has been declared as the lowest bidder for the construction of Package C-3 of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project as per the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Ltd. (NHSRCL) statement for designing and constructing civil and building works, including testing and commissioning, for the double-line high-speed railway.

This section will have three elevated stations, namely Thane, Virar, and Boisar, enhancing connectivity and accessibility for commuters. The Thane Depot will be built separately under the civil construction contract, Package D1, for which bids were accepted earlier this year.

The NHSRCL began the bidding process for the building of Package C3 in November 2022, with the expected project cost remaining unknown.

The completion date for this segment has been set as 1704 days (about 4.66 years). The technical bids were opened in April, revealing that four firms, including a consortium of three, had submitted their offers.

The bidders, NCC – J Kumar JV, offered a significant discount of 10.50% on schedules 1-8 of the financial bid sheet. On the other hand, Afcons – KPTL JV presented a multi-currency bid and extended a substantial discount of 16.45% on their entire bid value.

However, Larsen & Toubro emerged with its bid of Rs. 15,697.00 crores, ensuring the lowest net price after applying the necessary discounts.

The project spans from Shilphata in Maharashtra to Zaroli at the Maharashtra-Gujarat border, covering a distance of approximately 135.45 km (from MAHSR Km 21.150 to MAHSR Km 156.600), excluding the Thane Depot.

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Vande Bharat Trains to be Operational on Five New Routes

Staff Reporter

17/06/2023

Vande Bharat Express/Representational Image — Representational Image

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Indian Railways is all set to introduce Vande Bharat trains on five new routes on June 26. Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, will launch these semi-high-speed trains through a video conference. A total of 23 Vande Bharat trains will be operational, covering more than 22 states and Union Territories across India by the end of June.

The five new train routes are:

Bengaluru-Hubbali-Dharwad Vande Bharat: Karnataka will soon have another Vande Bharat Express train connecting Bengaluru, Hubballi, and Dharwad. This will be the second Vande Bharat train in the state, in addition to the one connecting Chennai, Mysuru, and Bengaluru. The train will run in the South Western Railway zone and is expected to stop at Yeswantpur, Hubballi and Davangere stations. It will significantly reduce the travel time between Hubballi and Dharwad from 7 hours to around 5 hours.

Mumbai-Goa Vande Bharat Express: Previously, the launch of the Mumbai-Goa Vande Bharat Express was cancelled due to the Balasore train tragedy. However, it will now be launched to enhance connectivity between the cities. The train will make stops at Dadar, Panvel, Thane, Roha, Ratnagiri, Khed, Thivim, Kankavli, and Madgaon during its journey. The train will reduce travel time and complete a journey of 586 kilometres in 7 hours and 50 minutes.

Patna-Ranchi Vande Bharat Express: Bihar will have its first Vande Bharat train connecting Patna and Ranchi. The train will travel a distance of about 410 kilometres while stopping in Gaya, Koderma, Parasnath, Hazaribagh Road, and Bokaro Steel City. Commuters can look forward to reduced travel time between these cities.

Bhopal-Indore Vande Bharat Express: This will be the 2nd train running in the state of Madhya Pradesh, originating from Bhopal. This train will connect multiple cities in the state, although specific details regarding the stops are not yet available.

Bhopal-Jabalpur Vande Bharat Express: The Bhopal-Jabalpur Vande Bharat Express will be the third train of its kind in India and the third one departing from Bhopal’s Rani Kamlapati railway station.

This is the first time that five Vande Bharat trains will begin operations simultaneously. However, due to the recent accident in Odisha, the inauguration event will be relatively low-key compared to previous launches.

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NHSRCL Completes Second River Bridge on MAHSR Corridor

Staff Reporter

16/06/2023

AHMEDABAD (Metro Rail News ): The construction of the second river bridge on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor has been successfully completed, marking a significant milestone in the project. The bridge, spanning 360 meters over the Purna River between Bilimora and Surat stations in Gujarat, posed several challenges for the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited.

A total of 24 river bridges are proposed for construction along the high-speed rail corridor, with 20 planned for Gujarat and four for Maharashtra. The completion of the Purna River bridge represents the second accomplishment in this regard. The foundation construction was particularly difficult, according to NHSRCL officials, because of the river’s strong tides, which caused water levels to climb by five to six metres every two weeks. Throughout construction, the Arabian Sea tides were continuously monitored.

The bridge comprises nine full span girders, each measuring 40 meters, supported by piers ranging from 10 to 20 meters in height. The circular piers have a diameter of four to five meters. The first river bridge in the Valsad area, which crosses the Par River between the Vapi and Bilimore stations, was finished in January 2023.

Officials disclosed that construction activities are progressing on a 1.2-kilometre-long bridge over the Narmada River in Bharuch, which will be the longest bridge in Gujarat. Work is also underway on bridges over the Sabarmati, Mahi, Narmada, Tape, and other rivers in various districts of Gujarat.

Officials estimate that the bullet train service will commence operations by 2026, providing a high-speed rail connection between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

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NMRC Introduces Mobile App for Seamless Commuter Experience in Noida and Greater Noida

Staff Reporter

16/06/2023

NOIDA (Metro Rail News): The Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) has recently been designated as the nodal authority for mobility services, which includes buses and intermediate public transport in Noida and Greater Noida.

NMRC has unveiled a mobile application that allows users to book rides on multiple forms of transport, including cycle rickshaws, auto rickshaws, battery rickshaws and cabs, to improve commuter travelling experiences.

This will improve the first and last-mile connectivity of the metro commuters and make the overall travel experience more convenient, seamless, time-saving and economical.

The app features a strong SOS function that seamlessly synchronizes with police servers. This feature allows app users to share their location and driver details with their family, friends, and emergency contacts, ensuring enhanced safety during their travels.

NMRC has initiated a comprehensive feedback process. A questionnaire, accessible via a QR code link, was launched on May 25, 2023. This questionnaire aims to gather insights regarding commuters’ and service providers’ concerns, priorities, preferences, and suggestions. The overwhelming response received by NMRC has led to an extension of the questionnaire’s validity.

Commuters can access the questionnaire link through the NMRC website and at three major metro stations: Knowledge Park, Pari Chowk, and Sector 51.

Additionally, the link will be made available within the metro coaches. The questionnaire will remain active from May 25, 2023 (12:00 a.m.) to July 1, 2023 (11:59 p.m.). Hard copies of the questionnaire are available at Knowledge Park, Pari Chowk, and Sector 51 metro stations in Noida and Greater Noida.

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TRSL & BHEL Consortium Wins Contract for Manufacturing 80 Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Sets

Staff Reporter

16/06/2023

Vande Bharat Train/ Representational image only

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): On 14 June 2023, Indian Railways awarded a contract to the consortium of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL) for the manufacturing and supply of 80 fully assembled Vande Bharat sleeper train sets by the year 2029 and their maintenance for 35 years at the cost of Rs.24, 000 crore (excluding GST).

The BHEL-TRSL consortium was the only AatmaNirbhar consortium participating in the tender process, lately being awarded the project.

Following the Contract, Umesh Chowdhary, Vice Chairman & Managing Director of Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL), stated that the company is dedicated to becoming a modest contributor to the Prime Minister’s AatmaNirbhar goal. The Vande Bharat trains have transformed how we travel, and we are pleased to support the government’s Make in India initiative. We will be able to produce cutting-edge railway trainsets on par with international standards thanks to our focus on embracing the most recent technologies to strengthen our engineering progress.

He further stated that the order should be carried out over a period of six years, with the prototype being delivered within the first two years, followed by the rest of the deliveries.

The Vande Bharat sleeper trains will be assembled, tested, and commissioned at the Indian Railways’ Chennai facilities. Each train will have 16 carriages, each of which can hold more than 880 passengers. The trains will travel at up to 160 kph (kmph).

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RKFL & TRSL Consortium Bags ₹12,226.5 Crore Contract for Forged Wheels

Staff Reporter

16/06/2023

KOLKATA (Metro Rail News): The Ministry of Railways, Government of India, has granted a contract under the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Initiative to a consortium of Ramkrishna Forgings Limited (RKFL) and Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL). The consortium will be responsible for manufacturing and supplying 1,540,000 forged wheels over a period of 20 years.

The consortium of RKFL and TRSL will supply 40,000 forged wheels in the 1st year and 60,000 wheels in the 2nd year. Subsequently, in each subsequent year, they will supply 80,000 wheels as per the contract. The total value of the contract is estimated to be ₹12,226.5 crores.

The Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Initiative, aimed at reducing India’s reliance on imported wheels, has opened up manufacturing opportunities for Indian companies to produce and supply high-quality forged wheels to the Indian Railways. This initiative aligns with the government’s vision of making India self-reliant, with the goal of achieving complete localization of wheel production through private Indian entities. By catering to various platforms such as LHB coaches, WAG9 locomotives, and Vande Bharat Express trains, the wheels manufactured under this agreement will meet the diverse requirements of the railways.

To fulfill this project, the RKFL-TRSL consortium plans to establish a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility capable of producing 200,000 wheels annually when fully operational. The facility will not only cater to the domestic railway sector but also tap into latent demand from the private sector and export markets. It will necessitate a capital expenditure ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹1,200 crores in order to execute this project successfully. To meet the financial requirements, both companies will contribute equal equity, ensuring a robust funding structure for the project’s capital expenditure needs.

Mr. Naresh Jalan, the Managing Director of Ramkrishna Forgings Limited (RKFL), expressed his gratitude for being chosen by the Ministry of Railways for this remarkable opportunity. He stated that the selection of their consortium for this project serves as a testament to their unwavering commitment to promoting indigenous manufacturing and fostering self-reliance. He further emphasized that by leveraging their collective capabilities and vast experience, they are determined to deliver unmatched products that will significantly improve the performance and safety of the Indian rail network. the consortium eagerly looks forward to establishing a long-term partnership with the Ministry of Railways with a resolute vision to contribute to the growth of the Indian railways and foster self-sufficiency.

Mr. Umesh Chowdhary, the Vice Chairman & Managing Director of Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL), expressed his joy at being awarded this landmark contract and expressed his eagerness to begin production at the earliest. As a partner in the winning consortium, TRSL is fully committed to realizing the vision of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, as envisioned by the Honourable Prime Minister. They will steadfastly work towards localizing the production of forged wheels in India. With this contract, the Titagarh group aims to uphold its motto of delivering high-quality mobility solutions and aims to establish itself as a world-class service provider in the infrastructure sector.

The contract awarded to the RKFL – TRSL consortium marks a significant step in promoting self-reliance and indigenous manufacturing, as the consortium undertakes the responsibility of supplying a large number of forged wheels to the Indian Railways for 20 years.

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Hyderabad Airport Metro Express Project Set to Begin in September

Staff Reporter

15/06/2023

Hyderabad Airport Metro/ Representational Image — Representational Image

HYDERABAD (Metro Rail News): In a recent pre-bid meeting, the managing director of Hyderabad Airport Metro Limited (HAML), N.V.S. Reddy, confirmed that the groundwork for the highly expected Hyderabad Airport Metro Express project is scheduled to commence in September. The project, estimated to cost ₹6,250 crores, is expected to be completed within three years.

N.V.S Reddy also revealed that the Telangana government would be the primary funding source for the project. The HMDA and GMR Hyderabad International Airport will each contribute 10% towards the project’s total cost.

The meeting, held to discuss selecting an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor for the project, saw the participation of technical teams from 13 renowned national and global companies.

Among the attendees were prominent firms such as L&T, Alstom, Siemens, Tata Projects, IRCON, RVNL, BEML, PANDROL Rahee Technologies, and others.

Mr. Reddy emphasized the direct involvement of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and Minister for Municipal Administration K.T. Rama Rao in monitoring the project’s progress.

Furthermore, important preliminary work has already been completed, including surveys, peg marking, and alignment fixation.

Updated surveys and alignment fixation indicate that the project will comprise an elevated portion of 29.3 km and an underground section of 1.7 km, stretching from the Raidurg metro station to the airport terminal station.

The metro project will feature nine stations, including one underground metro station adjacent to the airport terminal.

According to an official spokesperson, the technical team involved in the project includes Subodh Jain, adviser (civil engineering); D.V.S. Raju, chief electrical engineer; B. Anand Mohan, chief project manager; M. Vishnuvardhan Reddy, general manager; Y. Sayapa Reddy, SE; J.N. Gupta, deputy chief engineer (Railway); and the General Consultants team.

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