Railway Ministry Mulls Setting up Thermal Power Stations for Uninterrupted Train Services

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07/03/2023

Indian railways — Representational Image only

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.

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Metro 2B Work Resumes in Mumbai’s Vile Parle After Resolution of PIL

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Staff Reporter

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07/03/2023

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Mumbai Metro Line 6 — Representational Image

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.

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Gulermak – Sam India JV starts the second drive of Kanpur Metro’s TBM Tatya

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Staff Reporter

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07/03/2023

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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.

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Construction of Indore Metro’s Yellow Line Train Maintenance Depot Underway

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Staff Reporter

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06/03/2023

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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.

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Maharashtra Metro issues tender for elevated metro viaduct in Reach 2A of NMRP Phase-2

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Staff Reporter

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06/03/2023

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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.

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First Metro Train Arrives for Agra Metro Project in Agra

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Staff Reporter

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06/03/2023

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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.

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.

Pooja Ceremony of Metro — 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.

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Jindal Steel & Power to Invest Rs. 10,000 Crore in Andhra Pradesh Steel Plant, Creating 10,000 Jobs

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Staff Reporter

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06/03/2023

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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.

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Union Minister Announces New Vande Bharat Express Train between Mumbai and Goa

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Staff Reporter

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06/03/2023

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THANE( Metro Rail News): In a recent meeting, the Union Minister announced that a new Vande Bharat Express train will soon operate between Mumbai and Goa. With an aim to reduce travel time, this new Vande Bharat Express train will be operational between Mumbai and Goa on the lines of the ones newly launched on Mumbai-Solarpur and Mumabi-Shirdi routes, stated Union Minister. Currently, 10 Vande Bharat Express trains run on various routes, including New Delhi-Varanasi, Gandhinagar Capital – Ahmedabad – Mumbai Central, and Howrah – New Jalpaiguri.

The Minister also informed the delegation that the Mumbai-Goa railway route has been electrified, and the new train service will be introduced soon following an inspection. During the meeting, the delegation raised several concerns related to railways in Thane and Konkan region. These included issues such as allotment of stalls to railway project-affected persons, mobile stalls for farmers at each railway station, raising platform height to reduce the gap between trains and platforms, and preventing flooding due to the railway bridge at Mahad in Raigad.

During the meeting, the delegation raised the issue of extending the Sawantwadi-Diva train service to Dadar, rehabilitating people residing along railway tracks through the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) scheme, and renaming Mumbra station in Thane to Mumbra Devi station. The Minister gave assurance that once the state government submits a proposal regarding the renaming, appropriate action will be taken.

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Pune Metro Expands with New Routes and Stations

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Staff Reporter

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06/03/2023

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PUNE (Metro Rail News): Two routes in the Pune Metro cover a distance of 33 km; the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation station to Swargate station (17 km) and Vanaz station to Ramwadi station (16 km). The Pune Metro’s elevated corridors are progressing swiftly, and three more routes are being developed. The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation station to Fugewadi station (7 km) and Vanaz station to Garware College station (5 km) routes will be inaugurated on March 6, 2022, by the Prime Minister. The Fugewadi station to Civil Court interchange, Garware College station to Civil Court interchange, and Civil Court interchange to Ruby Hall station corridors will be fully constructed by March 2023. After the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) conducts inspections, the three routes will be open to the public.

The work on 95% of the Daund-Baramati-SHIV Nagar route, which includes Dapodi, Bopodi, and Shivajinagar stations, from Phugewadi station to the Civil Court interchange station, has been completed, and the inspection for the metro route has already begun. This metro route will connect the two neighbouring cities of Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune. The works near the Garware College station, the Civil Court interchange station, including the Deccan, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Udyan, and Pune Municipal Corporation, have been completed. With this route, the Paud road area will be directly connected to the Divani Court, Jungli Maharaj road, Gopal Krishna Gokhale Path (FC road), Shivajinagar, and Pune Municipal Corporation. Therefore, residents of this area will have easy access to travel to Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation and the industrial estates of Bhosari through the metro route.

“The work of the metro stations near Civil Court Interchange, Ruby Hall, Mangalwar Peth (RTO), Pune Railway Station has been completed. With this, citizens can easily go to Pune Railway Station, RTO, departmental commissioner office, district collector office, new administrative building, and Pune Police Commissionerate via the Pimpri Chinchwad and Paud Road, Karve Road. This new route will also benefit students who study in educational institutions such as Wadia College, Fergusson College, MIT College, Modern College, BMCC College, MMCC College, Agarkar Institute, Gokhale Institute, Ranade Institute, FTII, and ILS Law College by providing them with easy access to travel.”

Civil court interchange station located at Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation station, is an elevated station on this route connecting Swargate station and Ramwadi station, with Bhosari station and Vanaz station being the improved stations. For travelling from the elevated station to the improved station, 10 escalators (mechanical stairs), 6 lifts (elevators), and premium stairs have been arranged. Therefore, changing tracks will be extremely easy. Parking, PMPML bus stop, drop-off zone, and go-lane will be available at the civil court interchange station. A separate independent pedestrian path will be built at the civil court interchange station to connect it to the court. This will make it easy for citizens coming to the court to not go out of the station premises or wander on the roads.

The civil court is a central location in Pune city where 30,000 to 40,000 citizens come for court work throughout the day. In addition, more than one lakh citizens meet at the Pune railway station for 24 hours. This is where the metro will be very useful. The metro will make travel convenient for passengers travelling to and from these two locations. Additionally, the use of the metro will be helpful in solving the problems of congestion and parking in this area.”

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TWL-BHEL Consortium Declared 2nd Lowest Bidder for Vande Bharat Trainset Contract

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Staff Reporter

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06/03/2023

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KOLKATA( Metro Rail News): TWL-BHEL Consortium, consisting of Titagarh Wagons Limited and Bharat Electricals Limited, has been declared the 2nd Lowest Bidder (L2) for the project of “Manufacturing cum Maintenance of Vande Bharat Trainsets including Up-gradation of the Government Manufacturing Units & Trainset Depots”. The TWL-BHEL Consortium secured the L2 position with a bid of ₹139.8 crore per train. The RVNL-CJSC consortium won the tender with a bid of ₹120 crore per train. The financial bid opening held on March 1st, 2023, confirmed their L2 status. The project involves the production of 200 trainsets, and as per the tender conditions, L2 is eligible to manufacture 80 trainsets. However, the Letter of Award (LOA) is yet to be received by the TWL-BHEL Consortium. The delivery of the trains will generate ₹26,000 crore upfront payment, while the winning bidder will receive ₹32,000 crore over a 35-year period for the maintenance of the trains.

Titagarh Wagons Limited is a multinational engineering and fabrication group that specializes in manufacturing railway coaches, including EMUs and MEMUs, and wagons. It has its engineering infrastructure located across various regions, including West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Italy.

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