New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has flagged-off the Delhi-Faridabad Metro Line that would allow hassle free travel for around two lakh daily commuters between the national capital and the industrial hub in Haryana.
The extension of the Delhi Metro connects Badarpur to Escorts Mujesar in Faridabad.
The total cost of the project from Badarpur to Escorts Mujesar is nearly Rs. 2,500 crore. Out of this, Rs. 1,557 crore was borne by the Haryana Government, the Centre contributed Rs. 537 crore, while the Delhi Metro provided Rs. 400 crore.
All these are elevated and located on either side of the Delhi-Mathura Road (NH-2).
“The nine-station metro corridor which was 95 per cent indigenously built will provide people a safe, affordable, quick, comfortable, reliable, environment-friendly and sustainable transport facility,” a Haryana government spokesperson said.
Haryana Chief Minister ML Khattar, addressing a press conference on Saturday, had thanked the Prime Minister for “gifting” the Metro service which would take the city to “another level of progress” with better connectivity with other NCR towns.
He had also said that the Prime Minister would be announcing the go-ahead for connecting Gurgaon with Faridabad by Metro.
MoC signing ceremony between Maha Metro, Mihan-SEZ & CIDC/ Photo by Nagpur Metro Rail
NAGPUR (Metro Rail News): Mihan-SEZ and MahaMetro Corporation have signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) to improve last-mile connectivity within the zone in Nagpur. Currently, passengers using the Metro rail have to take different modes of transport under the feeder service of MahaMetro to reach the interior units within Mihan after getting down at Khapri station. With the MoC signed, both Mihan-SEZ and MahaMetro Corporation will benefit. The MoC will allow MahaMetro to run as many vehicles as needed as a part of the feeder service. While this can be a multimodal service, there is no requirement for obtaining fresh permission to increase the number of vehicles operating under the feeder service arrangement. However, it should be noted that the vehicles are not allowed to use the SEZ for thoroughfare and must not cross over from the other side.
Furthermore, MahaMetro and Mihan-SEZ signed another MoC with the Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC), a Niti Ayog-established organization that includes members from both the public sector undertakings (PSUs) and the private sector. The goal is to exchange the best practices and foster collaboration between the signatory agencies. Additionally, Mihan will be presented during the India Construction Meet 2023, scheduled to take place in Delhi from April 10 to 12, by the CIDC.
MANGALURU (Metro Rail News):Shivamogga MP, B.Y. Raghavendra, has requested Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav to take charge of infrastructure upgradation work of prominent railway stations under the Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd. (KRCL) network. He explained that KRCL is facing financial difficulties and is unable to upgrade the stations on the West coast, which is affecting tourism potential.
Mr. Raghavendra noted that while the demand for merging KRCL with the Indian Railways was justified, until that happens, the Railways should provide budgetary support to KRCL for development works. He pointed out that none of the KRCL stations were included in the Union Budget’s Amrit Bharat Station scheme, which disappointed people in coastal Karnataka.
The MP stated that KRCL was heavily debt-funded for constructing the Mangaluru-Mumbai line and was unable to provide additional amenities to passengers due to a lack of funds. Thousands of devotees visit Kollur through the Byndoor station, and its development under the Amrit Bharat Scheme was much needed. Mr. Raghavendra stressed that without budgetary support, the stations would remain without many passenger amenities, which would negatively impact tourism potential.
CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): Chennai Metro Rail Limited has issued a tender inviting digital bids for consultancy services for various projects related to feasibility, transaction advisory services, and market study, including bid process management services for built-up spaces in Chennai Metro Rail Stations and for CMRL land parcels. The consultancy firms will be empanelled for a period of two years, with a contract duration of 120 days. The bid submission start date was February 15, 2023, and the end date is March 15, 2023. The bid opening date is scheduled for March 16, 2023.
The objective of the consultancy services is to help CMRL generate revenue from commercial development and tap the unutilized potential of its assets for non-fare revenue generation. The scope of work for the consultant includes conducting feasibility studies, market assessments, financial analysis end-to-end transaction advisory services for retail spaces and land parcels, and bid process management. The consultant is also expected to appraise CMRL with new project proposals, carry out project structuring and financial analysis, and prepare suitable documentation for successful outcomes.
The tender is open to all eligible consultants who must register themselves on the e-procurement portal with a valid class II/III Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) issued by any agency authorized by the Controller of Certifying Authority (CCA), Govt. of India with their profile.
The consultant is required to submit soft copies of their bids/proposals electronically on the CPP Portal using a valid Digital Signature Certificate. To prevent misuse, consultants should ensure that only one valid DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) is registered under their name, and they should not lend their DSC to anyone else. The procurement of goods and services of CMRL is done through e-procurement to ensure free and fair consultant participation and greater transparency in procurement.
NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): In a recent Rajya Sabha debate on the Railway budget, Deputy Railway Minister, Mr. Mohd Shafi Qureshi, hinted at the possibility of setting up thermal power stations in certain areas to ensure uninterrupted train services amidst the power shortage in the country. Priority for electrification in the Railways’ program will be given to trunk routes such as Madras, Delhi, Calcutta, and Bombay, and the New Delhi-Howrah route has already had 85% of its electrification work completed.
In addition, Mr. Qureshi revealed that the Railways have approved the majority of the Miabhoy Tribunal’s suggestions and are currently issuing prompt directives to improve the positions of guards and drivers, as well as adjust the pay grades of keymen and gangmates. Directives for implementing other recommendations, such as granting special pay to foremen working in workshops and providing night-duty allowance to specific staff categories, will be issued in the near future.
MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): Work on the Metro 2B (DN Nagar to Mandale) project has resumed on a section of SV Road in Vile Parle, Mumbai after the resolution of a public interest litigation (PIL) in December 2022. The stretch of the metro line in question runs alongside runway 8/26 of the Juhu aero-dome, and a homeowner had filed a PIL due to safety concerns.
Work on the Metro line had come to a standstill between the Indira Nagar and Nanavati
Hospital stations in Vile Parle due to the location falling in the funnel zone. DMRC, which is executing the project, has started installing pier portals and will commence work on the viaduct once the piers are in place. The DMRC aims to complete the entire 2B stretch in the western suburbs by December 2024.
Although the Airports Authority of India had granted a No Objection Certificate in 2019 for the Metro corridor with an elevation of 16.76 m (above mean sea level), local residents had objected to the NOC, stating that the Metro line falls in the funnel of the runway and that there is a risk of aircraft accidents that could endanger residents.
At last, on December 22, 2022, the public interest litigation (PIL) was resolved after the director general of civil aviation submitted an affidavit indicating that the available “take-off run” (TORA) had been shortened to 645 meters from 1132 meters of total runway.
KANPUR (Metro Rail News): The tunnel boring machine S92, nicknamed Tatya, began its second drive from Chunniganj Station towards Naveen Market Station in Kanpur Metro Phase 1 Package KNPCC-05. The machine, which has a 6.52m diameter and is a refurbished Terratec Earth Pressure Balance machine, was recommissioned by Gulermak – Sam India Builtwell JV last Friday. The first tunnel breakthrough by Tatya occurred in January 2023 at Nayaganj Station, where it built a 1025m long tunnel from Bada Chauraha Station.
Gulermak – Sam India JV hopes to complete the 748m second drive by June 2023, as they chase a 3-year deadline to construct eight tunnels and four stations at Chunniganj, Naveen Market, Bada Chauraha, and Nayaganj, each 215m long. Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation awarded the JV with the KNPCC-05 civil construction contract in March 2021.
Additionally, Gulermak – Sam India JV completed pouring the first-stage invert concrete inside the up-line tunnel between Bada Chauraha and Nayaganj stations last week. This development will facilitate track-work by Larsen & Toubro for Package KNPAGT-3.
The laying of test track at Gandhi Nagar Depot of Indore Metro Rail/Photo by Urban Transport, MoHUA
Indore (Metro Rail News): The construction of Indore Metro’s Yellow Line is well underway, with visible progress on the viaduct and stations. However, there’s another crucial element of the project that is quietly taking shape: the train maintenance depot between Gandhi Nagar and Super Corridor 6 stations. K.S.M. Bashir Mohd. and Sons are constructing the 26.25-hectare depot under a Rs. 247.64 crore contract awarded by Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. in 2022. It is expected to be completed within three years under Indore Metro’s Phase 1, Package IN-07.
The depot will be used to park and maintain Indore Metro’s Alstom train-sets that will service the Yellow Line. The line will form a ring around Indore city,
connecting Palasia, Railway Station, Rajwara, Airport, and Bhawarsala. Alstom has been awarded a contract to supply 156 coach rolling stock for the Indore and Bhopal Metro, with 25 train-sets of 3 coaches (total 75 coaches) to be provided initially. The final design of the trains is yet to be revealed.
Nagpur (Metro Rail News): Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited has issued tenders for the design and construction of an elevated metro viaduct for a length of 6.92 km between Ch. (-) 657.182 m to Ch. (-) 7576.78 m in Reach 2A of NMRP Phase-2. The approximate cost of the project is INR 425 Crores, and the contract period is 30 months.
The bid submission and document download period will be from 23rd February 2023 to 28th March 2023. The scope of work includes the design and construction of viaduct between the last pier of phase 1 to Lekha Nagar Metro station, including the viaduct in the station portion. The total length of the viaduct is 6,919.598 meters.
The design and build contractor has to ensure a minimum statutory vertical clearance of 5.5 meters to the Metro structure above the existing road level. The tenderer/bidder will have to use a Segmental Box girder integrated with the parapet for the double-line standard gauge track. The emergency track crossover and special track layouts will also have to be accommodated in some spans. The bid opening date is scheduled for 28th March 2023.
Unloading of first Metro Train for Agra Metro Rail Project
AGRA (Metro Rail News): The Agra Metro Project is set to achieve a significant milestone with the arrival of the first metro train. The train, built in Savli (Vadodara) under the government’s Make in India initiative and the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ mission, will be unloaded tomorrow at the Agra Metro Rail Depot. The event will be attended by MD UPMRC Shri Sushil Kumar.
New Agra metro
There will be a total of 28 trains for the Agra Metro Project, with six trains designated for the priority corridor initially. The trains will be easily recognizable, as they carry a distinct yellow color and are equipped with ultra-modern technology and seamless design. The Agra Metro Rail Project’s Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath, unveiled the metro trains’ appearance on 8th August 2022.
Vahan Pooja for New Agra Metro
The trains have features that promote energy conservation, such as the regenerative braking system that saves up to 35 percent of energy. They also have carbon dioxide-based sensors, which regulate ambient temperature as the passenger load increases. Additionally, the trains will be managed and operated from a world-class Agra Metro depot and operated in an automated CBTC mode (Communication Based Train Control) for safe and efficient train operations. Upon their arrival, the trains will be tested on the 1 km long test track built inside the depot to ensure that all equipment and safety features are functioning correctly. The Agra Metro Rail Project was inaugurated on 7th December 2020 by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
The Agra Metro Trains come equipped with high-end technology and innovative features to ensure a safe, comfortable, and convenient ride for commuters. Here are ten unique features that make the Agra Metro Trains stand out:
1. High passenger capacity: Each train can accommodate up to 974 passengers.
2. High-speed performance: The average speed of every train will be between 80-90 kmph.
3. Safety features: All trains come with fire and crash-proof design for passenger safety.
4. CCTV surveillance: There will be 24 CCTV cameras installed in each train to monitor passenger activity, and the footage will be transmitted to the depot’s security room.
5. Passenger convenience: Each train will have 56 USB charging points and 36 LCD panels for passenger convenience.
6. Emergency communication: In case of an emergency, passengers can directly communicate with the train operator using the emergency talk-back button.
7. Environment-friendly: The trains come equipped with a Modern Propulsion System to combat air pollution.
8. Energy-saving technology: The regenerative braking system in each train can save up to 45% energy while applying brakes.
9. Temperature regulation: Carbon dioxide-based sensors fitted in the trains ensure an ambient temperature in case of an increase in passenger load.
10. Innovative energy source: The Agra Metro Trains will derive energy from a third rail running parallel to the track, which is more aesthetic and convenient than the OHE system used in other metro rail systems.
Visakhapatnam (Metro Rail News):Jindal Steel & Power Limited has announced that it will invest Rs. 10,000 crore for establishing a 3 million tonne per annum steel plant in Andhra Pradesh, according to the company’s chairman, Naveen Jindal. The project will generate over 10,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly. Jindal added that the group plans to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Andhra Pradesh government for investing in renewable energy through solar, wind and hydro energy sources, as well as expanding the capacity of its existing cement plant. This announcement was made by Jindal at the Global Investors Summit 2023 held in Visakhapatnam.
Jindal also announced that his group will ink a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Andhra Pradesh Government to invest in renewable energy sources like solar, wind and hydro. In addition, the company plans to increase the capacity of its existing cement plant, invest in a port, construct a slurry pipeline, and establish an MSME park in the state.
