Minister of Railways Conducts Successful Trial Run on World’s Highest Railway Bridge Over Chenab River

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26/03/2023

World's highest rail bridge over Chenab River/Image from Twitter

SRINAGAR( Metro Rail News): Minister of Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, conducted the first trial run on a track-mounted vehicle on Chenab railway bridge which is the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River in J&K’s Reasi district.

The bridge is a part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project and is anticipated as one of the most impressive train journeys in the future. At a towering height of 359 m (1,178 ft) above the Chenab River, the arch bridge surpasses the height of Paris’ iconic Eiffel Tower by 35 meters.

Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw conducting trial run on Chenab Railway Bridge/Image from Northern Railways

Marking a significant milestone in the completion of the Udhampur-Katra-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link, the smooth trial run of the track-mounted vehicle clears the path for the Valley to be linked with the rest of the country.

Railway Minister, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw inspecting Chenab Rail bridge/Image from Twitter

The successful completion of the project will not only enhance tourism in the region but also offer a reliable and secure mode of transportation for people commuting to and from the Kashmir Valley, along with creating new prospects for economic growth in the area.

During his official inspection visit to the Chenab Bridge, Mr. Vaishnaw was accompanied by Ashutosh Gangal, General Manager of Northern Railway, and other senior officials from the USBRL Project and Northern Railway.

“Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi has put a laser-sharp focus on the development of the country, the Chenab Bridge and tunnels are a few examples that will become the lifeline of Jammu and Kashmir”, stated the Minister.

Building the highest railway bridge was the most significant civil-engineering obstacle encountered by any railway project in India in recent history. Over the last 3 years, engineers have been building the arch with the help of 2 mammoth cable cranes installed on both banks of the Chenab — the Kauri end and the Bakkal end. The Chenab Bridge is expected to become one of the most iconic landmarks of the Indian Railways.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi Inaugurates the Most Awaited Namma Metro’s Whitefield-Krishnarajapura stretch

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Staff Reporter

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25/03/2023

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Hon'ble PM, Narendra Modi, interacting with people from various walks of life during his ride on the Newly inaugurated Metro. — Hon'ble PM, Narendra Modi, interacting with people from various walks of life during his ride on the Newly inaugurated Metro/Photo via Twitter

BENGALURU (Metro Rail News): In an exciting development for Bengaluru’s transportation system, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the long-awaited Namma Metro stretch between Whitefield and Krishnarajapura on Saturday.

In addition to inaugurating the Whitefield-Krishnarajapura Metro Line, the Prime Minister also interacted with people from various walks of life during his ride on the Metro. He took the opportunity to speak with the workers and staff of Bangalore Metro. Upon reaching the Whitefield (Kadugodi) Metro station, the Prime Minister made his way to the ticket counter to purchase a ticket and also viewed the exhibition that was set up for the occasion.

Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi taking ride at Namma Metro purple line/Image from Twitter — Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi taking ride at Namma Metro purple line/Image from Twitter

As a part of phase II of Namma Metro, the 13.71 km stretch between Whitefield (Kadugodi) and Krishnarajapura is a part of the extended purple line that connects Baiyappanahalli to Whitefield (15.50 km). The commercial operations of the new line are set to start on Sunday, with five trains operating on the route, each with six coaches bought from BEML Limited. Two additional trains will be kept as backup, according to the Bangalore Metro

Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). The maximum fare on this newly inaugurated stretch is expected to be 35 rupees, and the train frequency will be 12 minutes.

The Whitefield-KR Puram stretch will be covered in just 22 minutes by the Metro. This new line has 12 stations, including Krishnarajapura, Singayyanapalya,Garudacharpalya, Hoodi, Seetharam Palya, Kundalahalli, Nallur Halli, Sri SathyaSai Hospital, Pattandur Agrahara, Kadugodi Tree Park, Hopefarm Channasandra, and Whitefield (Kadugodi).

This stretch is the first phase of the Whitefield-Baiyappanahalli corridor, with the final 2-3 km stretch between KR Puram and Byapannahalli expected to be in operation by June this year. The Bangalore Metro currently serves more than 5 lakh commuters daily, with the two fully-operational metro lines, Purple and Green. The Namma Metro network is anticipated to experience a substantial increase in ridership with the newly added Purple Line extension.

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MD Patna Metro Inspects the Ongoing Constructions Work at Moin Ul Haq

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Staff Reporter

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25/03/2023

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Inspection of the ongoing work of underground Patna Metro Project being commissioned by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), at Moinul Haq Stadium

PATNA (Metro Rail News): Managing Director of Patna Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. and Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development and Housing Department, Shri Aruneesh Chawla, IAS, inspected the ongoing work of the underground Patna Metro Project being commissioned by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) at Moinul Haq Stadium on Saturday. He assessed the progress of work of Tunnel Boring Machine at Moinul Haq Stadium.

It may be noted that the first of the four Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM), “Mahaveer”, was lowered at Moin Ul Haq in the tunnel shaft from where the tunnel work will start for the underground metro station.

The Project Director, DMRC Shri Ajay Kumar, updated and briefed Shri Chawla on the progress of the Patna Metro Construction work.

In addition to the ongoing construction and progress of the underground Metro Station at Moinul Haq Stadium, he also enquired about the future work execution plan and the progress of work on other sites. He also directed the officials to expedite the construction work of the metro.

Managing Director of BUIDCO, IAS Shri Dharmendra Singh and Addition Secretary of Urban Development and Housing Department, Shri Sunil Kumar Yadav, IAS and Senior Officials of DMRC were also present during the inspection.

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SYSTRA JV Wins Kochi Metro Phase 2 GC Contract but Tendering Process Cancelled

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Staff Reporter

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25/03/2023

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KOCHI (Metro Rail News): On Thursday, SYSTRA S.A. -SYSTRA MVA Consulting (India) Pvt. Ltd. J.V. was declared as the lowest bidder for the General Consultant (G.C.) contract of Kochi Metro Phase -2.

However, Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) cancelled the tendering process on Friday evening due to SYSTRA’s bid exceeding their original estimate by 59%.
The Joint Venture of SYSTRA won the contract with the lowest bid value and highest technical score beating the other bidders. It bagged the contract based on Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS).

The below table can be referred to know the financial positions of bidders involved in the contract:

Bidder	Bid Value
SYSTRA JV	49.57 crore
Louis Berger JV	52.98 crore
DB – BARSYL JV	59.99 crore
TYPSA – STUP – PEMS JV	68.95 crore
AYESA – Aarvee JV	86.11 crore

Way back in November 2022, KMRL had invited tender for this project with an estimated cost of 31 crore, and the deadline for work completion was 1095 days.

This Pink line corridor which is 11.2 Km long, connecting Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to Infopark (Smart City) will feature 11 elevated stations at Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Stadium, Palarivattom Junction, Palarivattom Bypass, Vazhakkala, Chembumukku, Padamughal (previously known as Kunnumpuram), Kakkanad Junction, Chittethukara, Cochin SEZ (Special Economic Zone), KINFRA (formerly Rajagiri), and InfoPark/Smart City.

Now, as the tendering process stands cancelled, the bids need to be re-invited for the third time with a revised estimate.
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UPMRC Invites E-Tenders for Agra Metro’s Corridor-2 Elevated Viaduct and Stations

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Staff Reporter

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25/03/2023

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AGRA (Metro Rail News): The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) Ltd. has announced an open e-tender for the construction of elevated viaduct and seven Nos. elevated stations for Corridor-2 of Agra Metro in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.

The tender, with a reference number of AGCC-06, invites bids for civil, architectural finishes, water supply, sanitary installation, drainage, external development, firefighting, fire detection, E&M works, and PEB structures.

The seven stations included in the project are Agra Cantt, Sadar Bazar, Pratap Pura,
Collectorate, Agra College, Hariparvat chauraha, and Sanjay Place metro stations. The approximate cost of the work is INR 696.53 Crores, with an EMD of INR 13.93 Crores.

The pre-bid meeting was held on March 21, 2023, with bid submission starting on March 31 and ending on April 12. The bid opening date is scheduled for April 13, 2023. The project has a license period of 30 months.

The work to be performed under this contract include, but not limited to, providing all necessary labor, materials, equipment, tools, plants, and machinery required to fully execute the project. The project site is located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, and the contractor is required to plan their works keeping in view restriction of approach and availability of space and time.

Once completed, the Agra Metro will offer an efficient and sustainable mode of public transportation to the citizens of Agra, improving their mobility and connectivity.

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Government Approves ₹183 crore Budget for Three New Railway Overbridges in Lucknow

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Staff Reporter

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25/03/2023

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LUCKNOW (Metro Rail News): The government’s finance committee has approved a budget of ₹183 crore for the construction of three overbridges (ROBs) in the state capital, according to recent reports.

The ROBs will be constructed jointly by the Railways and the state government, and they will be built at Harauni, Bharwara, and Kesarikheda railway crossings. Approximately 10 lakh people are expected to benefit from the ROBs as they will help to alleviate traffic jams in the area.

The Bharwara crossing is particularly problematic, closing approximately 45 times a day, leading to a jam-like situation, according to railway officials. The project will cost around ₹65 crore and will help to address the problem of land availability on the Gomti Nagar extension side.

At Krishnanagar-Kesarikheda crossing, a two-lane ROB costing ₹75 crore, will be constructed to provide better connectivity from Kanpur Road to Hardoi Road. More than 100 trains pass through this crossing every day, and the construction of the bridge will benefit approximately four lakh people in the area.

A two-lane bridge will also be constructed at the Harauni-Jaitipur rail crossing on the Bani Mohan Road , at a cost of ₹43 crore in Lucknow. The bridge will help to improve connectivity in the area with Mohan and will benefit residents who currently face a lot of problems due to the crossing.

Ultimately, constructing these ROBs is a significant infrastructure project, requiring significant investment and planning. However, it is expected to provide long-term benefits for the railway industry and the wider community by reducing traffic congestion and improving connectivity.

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Railway Ministry Sanctions Doubling of Gooty-Pendekallu Rail Line in Andhra Pradesh at Rs. 351.8 Crore

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Staff Reporter

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25/03/2023

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Gooty Junction/Image by South Central Railways

VIJAYAWADA( Metro Rail News ): In an effort to improve train movement and operational efficiency, the doubling of the railway line between Gooty and Pendekallu stations in Andhra Pradesh has been sanctioned by the Ministry of Railways. The 29.2 km stretch, which falls under the Guntakal division of the South Central Railway zone, facilitates busy train traffic between Hyderabad and Bengaluru.

Pendekallu Junction/Image by south Central Railways

According to an official statement released on Thursday, the Gooty-Pendekallu section plays
a critical role in connecting these cities and beyond as most of the trains pass through this section. Over the years, this section has seen a steady increase in both freight trains and passenger an, leading to its saturation. The doubling of the railway line is estimated to cost Rs. 351.8 crore and will enable seamless bidirectional movement of trains along double lines between Hyderabad and Bengaluru.

The Ministry of Railways is prioritizing the improvement of infrastructure through various development projects, with a particular focus on doubling critical and congested sections to increase the mobility and agility of trains. As part of the Guntakal-Guntur doubling project, Indian Railways has already approved the doubling of the railway line between the Pendekulla and Guntur sections. Another key section, Gooty-Dharmavaram, has also been converted into a double-line section recently.

The doubling projects are expected to boost socio-economic developments in these regions with faster-moving passenger and freight trains.

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L&T Erects its first U-girders for Package CP10-EV-03 of Chennai Metro Line-5

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Staff Reporter

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24/03/2023

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1st pair of U-girders erected successfully at Shastri Nagar of CP10-EV-03 of CMRL Phase 2. — 1st pair of U-girders erected successfully at Shastri Nagar of CP10-EV-03 of CMRL Phase 2/ Photo by Srikanth Kumar Mannava

CHENNAI (Metro Rail News ): On Thursday, Larsen & Toubro launched their first pair of U-girders for the Package CP10-EV-03, which is a 10.2 km section of Chennai Metro Line-5 connecting CMBT to Venugopal Nagar.

This milestone was achieved using 25m long U-girders weighing approximately 150 MT each, on top of piers P184-P185 located at Shastri Nagar.

In November 2021, Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) awarded L&T with the Rs. 1590 crore contract for Package CP10-EV-03, which is a part of the 118.9 km Chennai Metro Phase 2 project. The deadline for the project is 36 months. L&T’s package includes 1 underground station at Venugopal Nagar and 11 elevated stations at the northern end of the 47 km Line-5, which will connect Madhavaram to Sholinganallur via 48 stations.

Package CP10-EV-03 includes two separate sections on opposite sides of the underground Package UG6 (Kolathur – Nathamnuni). The first section includes five stations from CMBT to Nathamuni Ramp, namely CMBT, Kaliamman Koil Street Junction, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Thirumangalam, and Anna Nagar Depot. The second section comprises seven underground stations from Retteri Ramp to Venugopal Nagar, including Retteri Junction, Shastri Nagar, MMBT, Velmurugan Nagar, Manjambakkam, Assisi Nagar, and Venugopal Nagar.

Additionally, the package comprises a 1.5 km depot-line to lines 3 & 5’s Madhavaram Depot. A cut & cover section between Assisi Nagar Ramp and Venugopal Nagar was also included.

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Indian Railways Set for Significant Boost as NPG Approves Three Major Railway Projects Under PM Gati Shakti initiative

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Staff Reporter

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24/03/2023

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Indian Railways — Representational image only

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): NPG ( Network Planning Group), which is under PM Gati Shakti initiative, has given approval to six major projects related to Railways, renewable energy and roads as per the official announcement made on Wednesday.

Among six projects, the Ministry of Railways has proposed three projects which consist of building an elevated railway track for Kanpur Anwarganj – Mandhana, constructing a rail bridge across the river Ganga to connect Vikramshila – Katareah railway station with a new railway line, and doubling the Ajmer – Chittaurgarh railway line that spans 178.28 km.

According to Ministry of Commerce and Industry( MoCI), the first project aims to boost the capacity utilization of railway lines and enhance city logistics in the region, with a specific focus on the city. The second project proposed by the Indian Railways is considered a crucial infrastructure project as it will facilitate the smooth movement of freight after its completion. The project will establish connectivity to vital economic nodes, enable transportation of food grains, and facilitate the movement of cement to the north Bihar and northeast regions. The third project involves the doubling of the Ajmer – Chittorgarh railway line, which spans 178.28 km and primarily caters to the industrial and tribal regions of Rajasthan, specifically the districts of Ajmer, Chittorgarh and Bhilwara. The project area encompasses several religious, tourist, and historical places such as Pushkar, Ajmer, Chittorgarh, Udaipur and Pushkar.

Overall, these projects will give a major push to the infrastructure in the country. It will enhance multimodal connectivity, facilitate smooth transportation of goods and passengers, and improve logistics efficiency throughout the country, as stated by MoCI.

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Railways lays 5,000 km of track per year, targets 10,000 km: RN Sunkar, Member of Railway Board

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Staff Reporter

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24/03/2023

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Roop Narayan Sunkar, Member ( Infrastructure), Railway Board

GORAKHPUR (Metro Rail News ): On Sunday, RN Sunkar, the Member of Railway Board (Infrastructure), shared that the Indian Railways is expanding and strengthening rail infrastructure in the country by laying 5,000 km of track every year. He also added that the track-laying work will be increased to 10,000 km per year in the near future.

In the meeting held at the North Eastern Railway (NER) general manager’s office to review ongoing track conversion, rail track electrification, and new rail line projects, Member of Railway Board (Infrastructure), RN Sunkar highlighted that in the previous regime, only 1,000 km of railway track was laid in India per year, indicating the significant progress being made under the current government. During the meeting, he instructed officials to ensure that ongoing track conversion, rail track electrification, and new rail line projects are completed in a timely manner.

Furthermore, Sunkar emphasized that the Centre has high expectations from the railways and commended the Railway Board’s improved functioning, where proposals can now receive approval within hours instead of a month, as was the case previously. He urged officials to work together as a team to meet people’s expectations and complete projects efficiently.

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