Metro Project for Tricity of Chandigarh, Mohali and Punchkula Gets Approval after a Long Standstill

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17/03/2023

A photo of Banwari Lal Prohit, Governor of Punjab and UT Administrator, CM Haryana ML Khattar, and Punjab Minister Anmol Gagan Mann taken during a meeting at the New Building of UT Secretariat /Photo via Twitter

CHANDIGARH(Metro Rail News): The metro project for the Tricity of Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali has received “in-principle” approval from the UT Administration along with the governments of Haryana and Punjab, despite opposition from MP Kirron Kher. The decision was made after a meeting at the UT Secretariat in Sector 9, Chandigarh, where the report on the comprehensive mobility plan (CMP) prepared by RITES was presented to Haryana and Punjab. Approximately Rs 10,570 crore is the estimated cost of the proposed plan, which will be forwarded to the Centre for final approval. The cost for the project in the first phase will be Rs 1,795 crore, the second phase will cost Rs 6,898 crore, and the third phase will cost Rs 1,878 crore.

The first phase of the metro project will cover a total of 38 kilometers in Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Mohali, with an additional 10 kilometers to be completed in the second phase. Chandigarh will have 14.5 kilometers of the first phase completed entirely, while Panchkula will have 3.5 kilometers completed in the first phase and 4.5 kilometers completed in the second phase. Mohali will see 20 kilometers completed in the first phase and 5.5 kilometers completed in the second phase, making up a total of 48 kilometers for the entire project.

Additionally, Haryana Chief Minister Khattar proposed adding Pinjore-Kalka, PGIMER, Punjab and Haryana High Court, Vidhan Sabha, secretariat, and airport connectivity to Panchkula to the first phase of the project. Additionally, Haryana suggested including the area of Ghaggar river and new Panchkula extension in the expansion of the metro.

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Wabtec Transit India Receives Great Place to Work Certification

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Staff Reporter

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17/03/2023

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Wabtec Transit India Recognized as a Great Place To Work/Team Wabtec

HOSUR, TAMILNADU (Metro Rail News): Wabtec Transit, a subsidiary of Wabtec Corporation, a top technology supplier for the freight and transit rail industries, announced that its three India-based sites in Hosur, Baddi, and Bahadurgarh have received the Great Place to Work certification.

Managing Director of Wabtec Transit, Ajay Mani, expressed his pride in receiving recognition from Great Place to Work for the second time. He believes this acknowledgment reflects the excellent culture, career progression opportunities and growth the company offers, as well as the dynamic market they serve.

Wabtec Transit’s role in the Indian Railways and metro systems

The Transit business of Wabtec is one of the top providers of subsystems for the Indian Railways and metro systems. The company is experiencing immense growth, with over 1,250 employees working at the three main manufacturing locations and customer sites.The primary facility and administrative office for the Transit business in India is the Hosur plant, where almost all the products in the Transit portfolio are manufactured.

Great Place to Work’s role in evaluating workplace culture

Great Place To Work is a renowned global organization that is considered an authority in workplace culture. It has extensive experience of 30 years in conducting groundbreaking research and collecting data to aid organizations in creating a workplace that is ideal for all employees. Their exclusive platform and For All™ Model provide an extensive evaluation of the experience of each employee, with exceptional workplaces receiving recognition on the Best Workplaces™ List or Great Place To Work Certified.

Wabtec Corporation’s mission to revolutionize transportation

Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: WAB) has a mission to transform the transportation industry for future generations. The company supplies equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services globally to industries such as freight and transit rail, mining, marine, and industrial markets. With over 150 years of experience in the rail industry, Wabtec aims to establish a zero-emission rail system in the U.S. and globally.

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Ramakrishna Forging and Titagarh Wagons Consortium Wins Bid for Forged Wheels

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Staff Reporter

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16/03/2023

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NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The consortium of Ramakrishna Forgings and Titagarh Wagons has won the bid to manufacture and supply 80,000 forged wheels annually for 20 years under the “Make in India” project. The successful bidder will manufacture wheels for semi-high-speed and high-speed trains and will be required to produce 80,000 wheels annually after the initial three years.

The consortium’s bid of Rs. 12,226 crore was lower than Bharat Forge’s quote of Rs. 17,875 crore and SAIL’s bid price of Rs. 18,817.5 crore. According to officials, although the expected cost of establishing a production unit is around Rs. 1,000 crores, the anticipated business volume is over Rs. 15,000 crore.

The project aims to reduce dependence on wheel imports, and the railways will purchase nearly 80,000 forged train wheels at Rs. 600 crore per year from the facility. The manufacturer will also be allowed to export forged wheels to other countries after meeting railway requirements.

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Hitachi Rail Secures $200 Million Contract for Chennai Metro Phase 2 Digital Signalling System

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Staff Reporter

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16/03/2023

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Contract Signing- Chennai Metro & Hitachi Rail

CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): On March 15, 2023, Hitachi Rail signed a contract worth INR 1,620 crore (approximately $200 million USD) to deliver digital signalling for Phase 2 of the Chennai Metro Rail Project. The project will see the installation of cutting-edge communication-based train control (CBTC) system combined with Automatic TrainOperation (ATO) technology.

Improved Capacity and Reliability

The CBTC system will enable the train’s traction and braking to be automatically controlled, calculating the optimum speed, and allowing the trains to run at up to 90-second intervals. This will significantly increase the capacity and reliability of the services. Autonomous Train Operation Phase 2 trains will be equipped with ATO technology, allowing them to depart, run at optimum speeds, and brake automatically without needing a driver. This system will improve safety and result in significant maintenance savings. ATO technology will also be used at the depot and for passenger information and display systems.

Installation and Funding

The city of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, will be served by the fourth longest metro system in India, on which the digital signalling system will be installed. Phase 2 of the project will include 119km of line, with 42km underground. The project is being funded by JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency). The contract will cover the design, supply, installation, manufacture, testing, and commissioning of the signalling, train control, and video management system.

Signalling control/Representational image

Hitachi Rail’s Vision

With its expertise in transportation and technology, Hitachi Rail aims to digitize and optimize all aspects of public transportation. Integrating its advanced metro rail technology into Phase 2 of the Chennai Metro project can enhance capacity and ensure more seamless and dependable commutes for passengers. Hitachi Rail is also a world leader in autonomous and signalling technology and has successfully delivered many autonomous rail projects worldwide.

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World’s longest railway platform inaugurated at Shree Siddharoodha Swamiji station in Karnataka

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Staff Reporter

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15/03/2023

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world's longest railway platform at Shree Siddharoodha Swamiji station in Hubballi, Karnataka/Photo via Twitter — World's longest railway platform at Shree Siddharoodha Swamiji station in Hubballi, Karnataka/Photo via Twitter

KARNATAKA (Metro Rail News): The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, inaugurated the world’s longest railway platform at Shree Siddharoodha Swamiji station in Hubballi, Karnataka, during his visit to the state on March 12th. As part of the Indian Railways’ station remodeling initiative, the railway platform has been constructed with an investment of Rs 20.1 crore. The Union Minister Pralhad Joshi was also present during the inauguration.

Construction of the Longest Railway Platform:

The construction of the 1.5 km long railway platform at Siddharoodha Swami Railway Station was initiated in February 2021 and completed within a remarkably short period.The station plays a crucial role in Karnataka’s transportation network, linking Bengaluru (Davanagere side), Hosapete (Gadag side), and Vasco-Da-Gama/Belagavi (Londa side). In addition to the five already present platforms, three more platforms have been installed to cater to the expanding demands of the city. Platform No. 8, with a length of 1507 meters, has been registered in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s longest railway platform. From this platform, two trains with electric engines will simultaneously depart.

Benefits of the Longest Railway Platform:

The transportation needs of the Hubballi-Dharwad region will be served by the world’s longest railway platform, and it will improve the operational capacity of the yard as well as enable trains to operate in both directions. The South Western Railway Zone of Indian Railways has achieved a significant feat with the construction of the world’s longest platform, which has earned them a place in the Guinness World Record.

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Indian Railways Implements New Payment Policy for Contractors to Mitigate Risk

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Narendra Shah

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15/03/2023

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NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Tuesday said that the Indian Railways has implemented a new policy of paying private contractors within 30 days of invoicing, with the government paying interest if the deadline is missed. This move aims to mitigate the “biggest risk” faced by contractors in government contracts. Vaishnaw stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called for the removal of the most significant risk in government contracts, which they found to be payment risk.

This provision has been implemented in all new tenders and government-funded projects. For years, the government has used a similar provision in contracts for government-funded highway projects taken up by the highways ministry, where interest charged on delayed payments is 3% higher than the bank rate. Vaishnaw remarked that since 2014, the government has focused more on railways, with this emphasis resulting in increased cargo transport by rail after decades.

The railways has identified 70 major bottlenecks and aim to address them within the next two years. To meet the need, the national transporter has ordered 85,000 wagons and 1,200 locomotives, with the aim of adding 1,000 locomotives annually. Vaishnaw expects that by increasing the railways’ carrying capacity, logistics costs will decrease significantly.

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Chennai Metro signs agreement with Swastik-EquiLavaggi JV for Phase 2 Depot Machinery and Plant

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Staff Reporter

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15/03/2023

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CMRL signing agreement with M/s. SwastikEquiLavaggi Joint Venture /Photo by CMRL — CMRL signing agreement with M/s. Swastik-EquiLavaggi Joint Venture /Photo by CMRL

CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): Chennai Metro signs agreement with Swastik-EquiLavaggi JV for Phase 2 Depot Machinery and Plant Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has signed an agreement with M/s. Swastik-EquiLavaggi Joint Venture for the supply of 13 Machinery and Plant at Poonamallee Depot for Corridor-4 of the Phase-II Project. During the signing of the Contract agreement, A.R. Rajendran, Chief General Manager/Rolling Stock for CMRL and Shobhit Saxena, Project Head for Swastik-EquipLavaggi were present alongside Rajesh Chaturvedi, Director (Systems & Operations) CMRL. The contract was awarded for a price of INR.31.80 Cr following a competitive bidding process.

Scope of the Contract

On a turnkey basis, Swastik will undertake the responsibility of designing, manufacturing, supplying, installing, testing, and commissioning machinery and plants at Poonamallee Depot. Additionally, they will also provide training to employees. The works under this contract have been awarded a Notice to Proceed by CMRL with a start date of March 14, 2023.

Machinery and Plants to be supplied

The 13 machinery and plants to be supplied by Swastik-EquiLavaggi include an Automated Train Wash Plant, Wheel Lathe, Wheel Profile Measurement System, Train Lifting Pit Jack, Synchronized Train Lifting Mobile Jack, and Battery Powered Train Shunting Machine. These machinery and plants are essential for railroad trails and subsequent train maintenance.

Delivery and Commissioning

The machinery and plants covered by this contract will be tested on-site and delivered to the Poonamallee Depot of CMRL by July 2024.. They will be commissioned at Poonamallee Depot before the arrival of trains.

The signing of this agreement between CMRL and Swastik-EquiLavaggi JV is a significant milestone in the development of the Chennai Metro Rail Phase-II Project. The new machinery and plants to be supplied will play a significant role in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the metro rail network.

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New Garia-Airport Metro Ramp Construction Resumes After Three-Year Logjam

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Staff Reporter

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14/03/2023

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KOLKATA (Metro Rail News): Kolkata’s New Garia-Airport Metro ramp construction, which had been stalled for three years due to a logjam on VIP Road, is now set to proceed. To enable traffic diversion and the construction of the ramp leading to the underground station, the Kolkata airport’s land is being handed over by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Metro Railway has agreed to pay Rs 64 crore to the airport authorities and has already released half of the sum. Once completed, the Public Works Department (PWD) will let Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) to barricade the Kolkata-bound flank near Kaikhali crossing and initiate construction work. RVNL estimates it will take two months to build the road for traffic diversion.

The New Garia line, which terminates at the airport along with the Noapara-Airport and Barasat-Airport links, is a crucial part of Kolkata’s upcoming Metro network. The New Garia-Airport Metro route will mainly comprise a viaduct over EM Bypass and New Town, but will also include an 800m underground section on VIP Road to link the overhead tracks with the Airport Metro station. The diaphragm walls for tunnelling through the cut-and-cover method to link the 32km New Garia-Airport corridor with the terminal Airport Metro station have already begun. The Metro tracks will go underground on VIP Road to connect the Airport Metro station. The Metro viaduct has been built until the Kaikhali crossing, but further progress was halted due to the land logjam. Despite the fact that the construction of the New Garia-Airport line has been ongoing for years, the 5.4km section from New Garia to Ruby is now prepared for launching.

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Alstom Starts Production of Metro Trainsets for Indore and Bhopal Metro

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Staff Reporter

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13/03/2023

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Commencement ceremony for manufacturing of Bhopal-Indore Metro trainset/Photo by Bhopal Metro Rail

SAVLI, GUJARAT (Metro Rail News): Alstom Transport India has initiated the production of metro trains for Indore and Bhopal Metro at its Savli manufacturing plant in Gujarat. Bhupendra Singh, the Urban Development Minister in the state, virtually inaugurated the launch of the rolling stock production. In July 2022, Alstom was contracted by Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MPMRCL) to create, design and deliver 52 standard gauge Movia metro trainsets with three-car configurations each for both metro projects in Bhopal and Indore. Alstom is to supply 27 trainsets for Bhopal metro and 25 for Indore.

Honorable Urban Development and Housing Minister, Mr. Bhupendra Singh attending the ceremony virtually/Photo via Twitter

As part of the €387 (around 32,00 crore ) million contract, the installation of the latest Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system, train control and telecommunication systems, with seven years of comprehensive maintenance, is included.

Operating at a maximum speed of 80 kmph, the Movia metro family consists of lightweight, air-conditioned stainless steel carriages powered by modern energy-efficient propulsion systems with regenerative braking. The French major also received another combined order for the Agra-Kanpur metro project, marking the company’s second such combined order in India.

Alstom, a French mobility company, has a strong order portfolio in India. It has received its second combined order in India after the Agra-Kanpur metro projects. The company has been tasked with delivering 201 standard gauge metro cars for the Agra and Kanpur Metro Project, with an option to supply an additional 51 metro cars. Additionally, Alstom is currently involved in manufacturing metro trains for Mumbai Metro Line 3, as well as modern trainsets for India’s first semi-high-speed Delhi-Meerut RRTS project.

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Chennai Metro Rail Plans to Establish Operations Control Centre in Madhavaram

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Staff Reporter

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11/03/2023

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CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): Chennai Metro Rail Limited is planning to establish an operations control centre (OCC) in Madhavaram to monitor and control the metro trains of phase-1 and driverless trains of phase-2. The OCC will have additional space and facilities for future expansion, and another OCC will be set up at CMRL’s headquarters in Nandanam as a backup.

According to an official, the existing OCC in Koyambedu will be dismantled and used for property development once the new OCC in Madhavaram is established. The tender for the project has been floated, and it will take about a year to set up once the tender is awarded.

The OCC will be responsible for monitoring the movement of trains on the mainline and taking control of train operations during emergencies. The entire operation of the driverless trains, including the opening and closing of doors at stations, will be controlled from the OCC, with cameras installed inside and outside the trains to monitor the trains remotely. In phase-1, CMRL currently has a fleet of 52 trains, and they intend to operate almost 110 trains in phase-2. To ensure backup in case of an emergency, a backup OCC (BOCC) will be built far away from the main OCC. This backup will be used if there is an emergency, like a fire accident in the main OCC, according to R Ramanathan, former CMRL director.

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