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Achievements and Best Practices of Ministry of Railways under Special Campaign 2.0

01/11/2022

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Inspired by the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the Government of India launched a Special Campaign for the disposal of pending references in Sept-Oct 21, focusing on cleanliness all around, reducing pendency of public grievances and improving work-culture at the work places.

Its sequel has been launched in September’2022 named ‘Special Campaign 2.0’ from 02.10.2022 to 31.10.22, with increased ambit and targets to further promote cleanliness and good governance in all spheres of working throughout the country which has been a huge success.

In consonance with the philosophy of the Special Campaign 2.0, Ministry of Railways had set a much wider scope for itself in all spheres of its work keeping in view IR’s presence over the length and breadth of the country. Accordingly, it took up all 7337 stations for the Cleanliness Campaign, which is a mammoth task in itself, with emphasis on mechanized cleaning of stations, and cleanliness of trains including approaches to major stations, collection & safe disposal of plastic and other waste. One such effort by Bangalore Railway Station was appreciated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister.

From Oct 2^nd onwards, the Ministry of Railways conducted more than 9000 cleanliness campaigns covering all stations, offices, workshops, Production Units, and other offices, and a 100% target has already been achieved in this regard. More than One lakh eighty-six thousand physical files and around 30000 e-files have been reviewed. All employees from top to bottom were pro-actively involved in the disposal of pending matters including VIP/MP/MLA references and Parliamentary, State Govt/PMO References/Public Grievances and Appeals. Around 80% liquidation has already been achieved on several parameters. On the last day of Special Campaign 2.0, the Ministry of Railways disposed of more than 3000 VIP References, 160 State Govt References, and more than 2.6 lakhs Public Grievances. Campaigns are being closely supervised and held by Senior officers of the units who are taking rounds of their offices frequently to spread importance and awareness. More than Rs 33 crores worth of office scrap has been disposed of during the campaign period and space freed to the tune of 16000 sq feet.

As part of Special Campaign 2.0, a series of awareness programs including “NukkadNatak” (street shows) were organized across the Railways which was not only impactful but also had an indelible mark and was well appreciated by one and all.

Several other initiatives have also been taken during this Campaign which includes the development of IT applications for online processing and disposal of VIP(MP/MLA) References and Parliamentary References such as matters raised during Zero Hour and under Section 377 in Parliament by MPs.

IT application developed indigenously for real-time monitoring and disposal of VIP References entails various features like registration(uploading) of reference, marking/sending to unit/officer(s), receipt of replies from them, processing by unit concerned as well as submission of replies to be issued from Minister of Railways/MoS/GM/DRM, as the case may be. A number of MIS reports can be generated to see the status Subject/VIP/State/Unit(Directorate/Zonal Railway etc.)/Time Period. The system also generates weekly alerts through e-mails and SMS to concerned officials. The Hon’ble Minister/Officers can peruse and show the reply to a particular public representative with just a click of a button.

Another module relating to real-time monitoring of parliamentary references has also been developed on similar lines with all features of MIS built for monitoring VIP references.

The developments of these two applications have enabled the Ministry of Railways to dispose of these references and have contributed immensely to Special Campaign 2.0.

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PM dedicates Railway projects worth over Rs. 2900 crore in Asarva, Ahmedabad

Staff Reporter

01/11/2022

PM dedicates Railway projects worth over Rs. 2900 crore in Asarva, Ahmedabad

AHMEDABAD (Metro Rail News): The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation, two railway projects worth over Rs. 2900 crores at Asarva, Ahmedabad on 31st October.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister remarked that 31st October is a huge day for Gujarat’s development and connectivity. He underlined that lakhs of people of Gujarat who used to be troubled due to the lack of broad gauge line in a large area are going to get a lot of relief from 31st October. The Prime Minister expressed delight at getting the opportunity to dedicate the line after waiting for decades. The Prime Minister highlighted that the entire route has been rejuvenated and the meter gauge line from Asarwa to Udaipur via Himmatnagar has been converted into a broad gauge. He also informed me that this part of Gujarat will now be connected directly with the neighbouring state of Rajasthan as well as the whole country. The gauge conversion work done between Lunidhar-Jetalsar will also ease rail connectivity in this area and trains originating from here will be able to go to any part of the country, he said.

“When the meter gauge line on a route is changed to broad gauge”, the Prime Minister said, “it brings with it many new possibilities.” With the conversion of the 300 km long rail line from Asarwa to Udaipur into broad gauge, the tribal areas of Gujarat and Rajasthan will be connected to Delhi and North India. The conversion of this railway line to broad gauge has also made an alternate route available for Ahmedabad and Delhi. Now, direct rail connectivity has also been established between the tourist places of Kutch and the tourist places of Udaipur. This will give a big boost to the tourist places of Kutch, Udaipur, Chittorgarh and Nathdwara. He noted that traders in the region will also get the benefit of connecting directly to big industrial centres like Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. “Especially, the tiles industry of Himatnagar will get a lot of help”, he said. Similarly, with the conversion of the Lunidhar-Jetalsar rail line to the broad gauge, the Dhasa-Jetalsar section is now fully converted into a broad gauge as well. This rail line passes through Botad, Amreli and Rajkot districts which till now have had limited rail connectivity. With the completion of this line, people of Bhavnagar and Amreli region will now get the benefit of direct connectivity to Somnath and Porbandar, the Prime Minister informed.

The Prime Minister noted that the route will reduce the distance between Bhavnagar-Veraval from about 470 kilometres to less than 290 kilometres, thereby reducing the travel time from twelve hours to just six and a half hours. Similarly, the distance between Bhavnagar-Porbandar has come down by about 200 kilometres, and the distance between Bhavnagar-Rajkot by about 30 kilometres, he said. The trains running on the broad gauge route will also accelerate the industrial development of Gujarat while making tourism accessible and connecting the areas which were cut off. “Dedicating this project today, on the day of Ekta Diwas, makes it more special”, he said.

He emphasised “When the government of double engine works, its effect is not only double, but it is manifold. Here one and one together are not 2 but assume the power of 11.” He continued, “With the double-engine government, the pace of work in Gujarat has not only increased, but it also got the strength to expand it.” He noted that between 2009 and 2014, less than 125 kilometres of railway lines were doubled while between 2014 and 2022, more than five and a half hundred kilometres of railway lines have been doubled. Similarly, only about 60 km of track was electrified in Gujarat between 2009 and 2014. Whereas, between 2014 and 2022, more than 1700 km of track has been electrified.

Apart from improving on scale and speed, he said, improvement is taking place in quality, convenience, safety and cleanliness. He also highlighted the improvement in the condition of railway stations across the country. “The poor and middle class are being given the same environment, which was once accessible only to the well-to-do”, he said, “Like Gandhinagar Station, Railway stations at Ahmedabad, Surat, Udhna, Sabarmati, Somnath and New Bhuj are being upgraded.” Pointing out the achievements that have been made possible only because of the double-engine government, the Prime Minister gave the example of the new Vande Bharat Express service that was started between Gandhinagar and Mumbai. The Prime Minister informed that 12 Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals have also been planned to give a new dimension to the development of the Western Railway. “The first Gati Shakti Multimodal Cargo Terminal has been commissioned in Vadodara circle. Soon the rest of the terminals will also be ready to provide their services”, he added.

“After decades of independence”, the Prime Minister said, “the rich-poor gap, the gulf between village and city, and unbalanced development have been a major challenge for the country. The government is working to solve this. The policy of ‘Sabka Vikas’ emphasises the provision of infrastructure and other facilities to the middle class and gives the poor the means to fight poverty. “Pucca houses, toilets, electricity, water, gas, free treatment and insurance facilities for the poor, are the hallmarks of good governance today”, he said.

The Prime Minister noted a drastic change in the approach to the development of connectivity infrastructure in the country. Now in place of unplanned constructions, there is a coordinated approach to connecting facilities like rail, metro and buses. A synergy of routes and modes is being aimed for, he said. Underlining the industrial nature of Gujarat, the Prime Minister said that when the ports of Gujarat are empowered, it directly affects the economy of the whole country. “In the last 8 years, he said, the capacity of Gujarat’s ports has almost doubled” he informed. The Prime Minister emphasised the continuous nature of the development process and said “Our motto is to build a developed Gujarat for a developed India.”

Concluding the address, the Prime Minister hailed Sardar Patel on his birth anniversary and remarked that every Indian is proud of the achievements of India’s first Home Minister. The Prime Minister criticised the absence of Sardar Patel’s name and picture in some advertisements that appeared in some Gujarati papers, placed by the Rajasthan government. “Such an insult to Sardar Patel will never be tolerated, that too in the land of Gujarat.”, Shri Modi said. The Prime Minister concluded, “the Railways, like Sardar Patel, connects India and this process moves forward constantly with pace and direction.”

Union Minister of Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of State for Railways, Smt Darshana Jardosh, Members of Parliament, and state ministers were among those present on occasion.

Background

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi dedicated two railway projects worth over Rs. 2900 crores at Asarva, Ahmedabad on 31st October. These projects include the Ahmedabad (Asarva)-Himmatnagar-Udaipur Gauge Converted Line and Lunidhar-Jetalsar Gauge Converted Line. The Prime Minister also flagged off new trains between Bhavnagar-Jetalsar and Asarva-Udaipur.

With a view to having a uni-gauge rail system across the country, Railways is converting the existing non-broad gauge railway lines to broad gauge. The projects being dedicated by the Prime Minister mark yet another step in this direction. The Ahmedabad(Asarva)-Himmatnagar-Udaipur Gauge Converted Line is around 300 Km long. It will improve connectivity and prove beneficial for tourists, traders, manufacturing units and industries in the region, which will in turn boost employment opportunities and help in the socioeconomic development of the region. The 58 Km long Lunidhar-Jetalsar Gauge Converted Line will provide a shorter route for Pipavav Port and Bhavnagar from Veraval and Porbandar. The project will enhance freight carrying capacity on this section, thus decongesting the busy Kanalus – Rajkot – Viramgam route. It will now facilitate seamless connectivity to Gir sanctuary, Somnath temple, Diu and Girnar hills as well, thus boosting tourism in the region.

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HMR to hire a reputable research agency to survey metro rail operations

Staff Reporter

01/11/2022

HYDERABAD (Metro Rail News): Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) Limited, the Telangana Government’s Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) which has managed the metro rail project’s construction and current operation, will soon hire a reputable socio-economic research firm to conduct an analysis of the current metro rail operations, costs, passenger amenities, and affordability.

Senior metro rail officials stated on 31st October that this came following the Central Government’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) constituted a three-member ‘Fare Fixation Committee’ (FCC) for recommending a fare revision under the chairmanship of Justice (retired) G. Shyam Prasad and the Telangana Municipal Administration and Urban Development Special Chief Secretary Arvind Kumar, (MH&UA) Additional Secretary Surendra Kumar Badge.

The Central Metro Railways Act panel has started operating from the Metro Rail Bhavan. The HMR and the concessionaire L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad (L&TMRH) have already made separate presentations and started consultations.

L&TMRH, which has built the project, and is running across the three corridors of Red Line — L.B. Nagar to Miyapur; Blue Line — Nagole to Raidurg; and Green Line — Jubilee Bus Station (JBS) to Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS), Imlibun, or 69 km in all, has requested the appointment of the fare revision committee with the completion of five years this month, informed senior metro officials.

“The committee will receive suggestions from the public and will go into the details of the cost, income, and expenditure of running and maintaining the transport system. It has three months to submit a report. L&TMRH will make a submission and this too will be studied including the real estate development before it is taken to the government by the HMR for a final decision,” they said.

Metro riders can offer inputs about the fares — whether they can be increased, reduced, or keep the same — and also about passenger comforts to the committee. On the other hand, “The agency to be appointed will be doing an independent survey talking to the commuters, do a lot of analysis, study inflationary trends and rail operations also,” said HMR Managing Director N.V.S. Reddy, when contacted.

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A light Metro system for ancient city of Calicut

Narendra Shah

01/11/2022

Abstract

India’s development and operations of existing metro rail systems provide valuable insights towards improving upcoming systems’ planning and investments. The Government of India (GoI) continued financial support over the past two decades, and the Metro Rail Policy formulated in 20171, led to the development of a wide range of rail-based mass transport systems across the country.

Today, India has metro rail, suburban rail and monorail. Amongst these, metro rail systems witnessed the fastest growth, from network length of 222km in three cities in 2011 to 697 Km in 13 cities by 2021. Approved additional metro rail network of 1,032km will expand the reach of metro systems up to 27 cities.

In addition, lighter urban rail systems such as Metrolite and Metro Neo are being conceptualised and developed by many small- and medium-sized cities. The approved metro rail projects have a projected expenditure of INR 3 trillion over the next five years, including equity investments by central and state governments and financing from other developmental and commercial financing entities.

Urban Rail Transit in India

Urban rail transit in India plays an important role in intracity transportation in the major cities which are highly populated. It consists of rapid transit, suburban rail, monorail and tram systems. According to a report published in 2021, a total of 2,636 million people travel annually in metro systems across India’s thirteen major cities, placing the country as one of the busiest urban rapid transit hub in the world in terms of ridership. The combined length of 731.25 kilometres of metro systems in India makes it the fifth longest in the world with in operation. The Ministry of Urban Development’s Urban Transport wing is the nodal division for coordination, appraisal and approval of Urban Transport matters including Metro Rail Projects at the central level. All the interventions in the urban transport by the Ministry of Urban Development are carried out as per the provisions of National Urban Transport Policy, 2006.

Light Rail Transit

Light rail transit (LRT) is a form of passenger urban rail transit characterized by a combination of tram and metro features. While its rolling stock is more similar to a traditional tram, it operates at a higher capacity and speed, and often on an exclusive right-of-way. In many cities, light rail transit systems more closely resemble, and are therefore indistinguishable from, traditional underground or at-grade subways and heavy-rail metros. There is no standard definition, but in the United States (where the terminology was devised in the 1970s from the engineering term light railway), light rail operates primarily along exclusive rights-of-way and uses either individual tramcars or multiple units coupled to form a train that is lower capacity and lower speed than a long heavy-rail passenger train or metro system. A few light rail networks tend to have characteristics closer to rapid transit or even commuter rail; some of these heavier rapid transit-like systems are referred to as light metros. Other light rail networks are tram-like and partially operate on streets.

The city of spices : Kozhikode

Kozhikode, also known in English as Calicut, is a city along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala in India. It has a corporation limit population of 609,224 and a metropolitan population of more than 2 million, making it the second largest metropolitan area in Kerala and the 19th largest in India. Kozhikode is classified as a Tier II city by the Government of India. It is the largest city in the region known as Malabar and was the capital of the British-era Malabar district. In antiquity and the medieval period, Kozhikode was dubbed the City of Spices for its role as the major trading point for Indian spices. It was the capital of an independent kingdom ruled by the Samoothiris (Zamorins). The port at Kozhikode acted as the gateway to medieval South Indian coast for the Chinese, the Arabs, the Portuguese, the Dutch and finally the British. According to data compiled by economics research firm Indicus Analytics in 2009 on residences, earnings and investments, Kozhikode was ranked the second best city in India to live in.

Kerala Rapid Transit Corporation Ltd.

Kerala State Metro Rail Corporation Limited, abbreviated to KSMRCL, is a special purpose vehicle (SPV) formed to implement light metro projects in Kerala. Kerala has light metro systems planned for the cities of Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram. The SPV is fully owned by the State Government and the Chief Minister is the Chairman of the company. The head office of KMRCL is at Thiruvananthapuram, with branches at Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram. Earlier it was Kerala Monorail Corporation Ltd. Since monorail was not financially viable, DMRC proposed light metro. The chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, is the chairman of the board and Public Works Minister P. A. Mohammed Riyas is vice chairman. The other board members are Ministers KN Balagopal, Antony Raju, P Rajeev, K Rajan as well as officials of Public Works and Transport departments.

Metro

Kozhikode Metro is a proposed Light Rapid Transit (LRT) system for the city of Kozhikode (Calicut), in India. In 2010, the State government explored the possibility of implementing a metro rail project for Kozhikode city and its suburbs. The proposal was to have a corridor connecting the meenchanda to the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital through the heart of the city. An inception report was submitted by a Bangalore-based consultant, Wilber Smith, on the detailed feasibility study on the prospect of implementing the Mass Rapid Transport System (MRTS) and Light Rail Transit System (LRTS) in the city. However, the project has been scrapped to be replaced by Kozhikode Monorail project.

The State Cabinet then decided to form a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to implement monorail projects in Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram, and administrative sanction was given in October 2012. The state government issued orders entrusting the Thiruvananthapuram Monorail project to the KMCL on 26 November 2012. The government had handed over the Kozhikode Monorail project to the KMCL prior to that. On 12 June 2013, the State Cabinet gave clearance for an agreement to be signed between KMCL and DMRC, that would make the latter the general consultant for the monorail projects in Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram. The DMRC shall receive a consultancy fee of 3.25% of the Rs. 55.81 billion (Rs. 35.90 billion for Thiruvananthapuram and Rs. 19.91 billion for Kozhikode). The agreement was signed on 19 June 2013. However, due to cost overrun and the cold response from the bidders the project was put on hold. Bombardier Transportation was the only bidder for the project. The project was later scrapped and Light metro was proposed.

Project Development

The Union Urban Development Ministry decided to consider the proposal for a Metro in Kozhikode after the success of the Delhi Metro and signed up for drawing the detailed project report (DPR) of the Rs.27.71 billion Kozhikode metro transport project with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation as a feasibility study for the introduction of suburban services in Kozhikode city. The Ministry decided to bear 50% of the cost of the preparation of the DPR for the city that comes under the population cut-off bracket. The preliminary feasibility study had been carried out by the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) in association with the Kerala Road Fund Board in December 2008. Based on this feasibility report, the Board entrusted Wilber Smith to conduct the study in June 2009. Already, the NATPAC has submitted a metro rail project covering a total distance of 32.6 km from Karipur to the Calicut Medical College. The cost of the project was estimated at Rs. 27.71 billion and was expected be completed within five years. The monorail project which replaced the metro rail project was estimated to cost Rs 1,991 crore has received a bid from the lone bidder Bombardier consortium, and was almost double of the estimate. The project was scrapped and the Light Metro has been approved.

Details

The Kozhikode urban Light Rail Transit (LRT) system or Light Metro with 01 line and 14 stations proposed to be built in the city of Kozhikode in Kerala. Kozhikode Metro’s 13.3 km Phase 1 project will be executed by Kerala Rapid Transit Corporation Limited (KRTL), a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) of the Government of Kerala. In January 2016, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) was appointed as the interim consultant, but quit the project in 2018 due to slow progress.

In 2017, the project was put on hold due to its high cost and low ridership projections which were not in line with the Government of India’s new Metro Rail Policy. A revised DPR prepared by the DMRC was approved by KRTL’s board in October 2020 and by Kerala’s state government in February 2021.

Key Figures

Operational : 0 Km
Under Construction : 0 Km
Approved : 13.13 Km
Estimated Cost : Rs. 2,773 crore

Phase 1 Route

Line 1 – Meenchanda to Kozhikode Medical College

Length : 13.3 Km
Type : Elevated
Depot : Medical College
Number of Stations : 14
Station Names : Meenchanda, Vattakkinar, Panniyankara, Kallayi, Pushpa, Kozhikode Railway Station, Palayam, Mananchira, KSRTC, New Bus Stand, Kottuli, Thondayad, Chevayur and Medical College

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Vigilance Awareness Week commences across Indian Railways

Staff Reporter

31/10/2022

Shri S.K.Mohanty, Member (Operations & Business Development), Railway Board, administering the Vigilance Oath to Railway Board Officers and Staff

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The observance of Vigilance Awareness Week, 2022 commenced across Indian Railways with a Pledge taking ceremony by Officers and staff. The Central Vigilance Commission has given the theme of “Corruption Free India for a developed nation” for Vigilance Awareness Week this year.

A special function was organized in the Railway Board where Shri S.K. Mohanty, Member (Operations & Business Development), Railway Board administered the Pledge to a gathering of Railway staff and officers on 31^st October 2022. Similar functions have taken place at various Zonal Railway Headquarters and other important offices of Indian Railways where the Pledge was administered by the Heads of office. The Pledge is aimed to reinforce the commitment of officials towards bringing about integrity and transparency in all spheres of their activities and fighting corruption with vigor.

During this Vigilance Awareness Week, various events will be organized around the theme of anti-corruption by the field units of the Railways.

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BMRCL to roll out mobile apps based QR ticketing system from 1st November

Staff Reporter

31/10/2022

BMRCL to roll out mobile apps based QR ticketing system/ Image credit: HT

BANGALORE (Metro rail News): Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) will roll out a QR ticketing system based on mobile apps from 1st November. The initiative will enable commuters to ride the metro without using tokens or smart cards.

BMRCL managing director Anjum Parwez stated that tests were being carried out to start the new ticketing system. “On the occasion of Karnataka Rajyotsava, the BMRCL will launch the QR ticketing system. The new system will provide more travel comfort for metro passengers,” said Mr. Parwez.

Metro commuters will be able to purchase single-trip tickets by selecting origin and destination points on the mobile app. To travel in the metro, simply scan the displayed QR code at the automatic fare collection (AFC) gates. With the new method, there won’t be any more waiting in queues to buy tokens or top-up smart cards. The AFC gates in every metro station have been upgraded to accommodate the new ticketing system.

The BMRCL had intended to implement the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) and a QR ticketing system based on mobile apps before the COVID-19 outbreak.

Namma Metro operations in the city celebrated its 11th anniversary on October 20. 36% of commuters utilised tokens, compared to 64% who used smart cards, in September. Average daily ridership has already exceeded 5 lakh, and once the BMRCL begins operating the Baiyappanahalli-Whitefield line for profit, that number is sure to increase. Commercial operations are probably going to start by March of next year after the trial run which has already begun.

The city’s commuters who depend on public transportation are requesting that the BMRCL and Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) establish a shared ticketing system that will enable them to ride both city buses and metro trains. The BMTC had previously made large promises regarding the introduction of a feature-rich mobile app that would enable users to follow bus arrival in real-time, a QR-based ticketing system, and others, but it is still buying time due to a number of obstacles.

A common paper ticket that enabled travel on both city buses and the metro was introduced by the BMRCL and the BMTC when the metro service was established in 2011. Common paper tickets were no longer issued after a few months due to low patronage.

In the city, the BMRCL has a network of 55 km of operational metro line and the BMTC has a fleet size of 6,800 buses and operates over 52,300 trips a day.

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RRTS to get exclusive entry/exit points on service roads to avoid traffics

Staff Reporter

31/10/2022

Delhi Meerut RRTS/ Representational Image

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Regional Rapid Transport System (RRTS) stations will have the provision to separate station-bound vehicles from those on the main roadways through exclusive entry/exit points on the service road in order to minimise traffic jams. The action is intended to discourage drivers from stopping on the major route to drop off or pick up commuters. There will also be a designated pick-up/drop-off lane at some stations.

The project of a high-speed train network will connect the three cities of Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Meerut. It will feature 25 stations with a design speed of 180kmph.

“It has been seen that due to lack of space around many public transport services, the vehicles, whether private or personal, drop off passengers on the main road. It creates hindrances in the movement of traffic, triggering a jam-like condition almost on a daily basis. Pedestrians, along with commuters, have to struggle with overcrowding and haywire traffic,” said a spokesperson of National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), which is executing the project. “Lack of designated space also leads to people jumping over fences or crossing main roads amid fast-moving traffic with luggage, increasing chances of accident,” he added.

To address these problems, NCRTC has decided to make exclusive entry/exit points on service roads. They will have a physical barrier along the station length to discourage stopping of vehicles on the main road. “This will not only help commuters reach the station safely and comfortably, but also give pedestrians relief from overcrowding and chaos,” the spokesperson clarified.

On the 82km Delhi Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor, there are 25 stations, 21 of which are elevated stations with entry/exit points being built on both sides so that passengers may access them from either side of the road.

A dedicated pick-up/drop-off lane is also being planned. “Wherever possible, a designated space has been created under the station box to safely drop off/pick up commuters from where they could access the station easily after walking only a short distance,” said an official. NCRTC is making foot overbridges and skywalks wherever needed.

The stations will also have properly lit pathways and 24×7 CCTV monitoring to make the space safe. “The green zones around the stations will not only make it aesthetically pleasing for the eyes but will also provide much-needed respite and a moment of relaxation to the commuters,” the official said.

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HMR seeks commuters views on revision of fare

Staff Reporter

31/10/2022

HYDERABAD (Metro Rail News): Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) has invited feedback from Metro commuters on the proposed fare revision. HMR operates on these three channels- Red Line (Miyapur-LB Nagar) has 27 stations, Green Line (JBS-Falaknuma) has 15 stations, and Blue Line (Nagole-Raidurg) has 24 stations. The lowest and maximum ticket prices are Rs 10 from one station to another and Rs 60, respectively.

The Indian government established the Fare Fixation Committee (FFC) to suggest rate revisions for the HMR. The FFC requested suggestions from commuters regarding the modification of fares.

“The FFC, headed by a retired high court judge, is set up to take a decision on revision of Metro rail fare. You are welcome to offer your suggestions,” tweeted Arvind Kumar, Special Chief Secretary (Municipal Administration & Urban Development Department Department).

Commuters can email their suggestions to ffchmrl@gmail.com or by sending a letter to the address, Chairman, FFC, Metro Rail Bhavan, Begumpet, Secunderabad, 500003, Telangana by November 15.

The HMR has extended its service hours until 11 pm due to heavy traffic from all stations. The first train service begins at 6 am.

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RVNL emerges as lowest bidder for Sholinganallur Lake – SIPCOT section of Chennai Metro Line-3

Staff Reporter

31/10/2022

CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) has emerged as the lowest bidder for the construction of the 10.13 km Sholinganallur Lake – SIPCOT 2 section of Chennai Metro Line-3 (Package C3-ECV-01/RT-01).

The 45.8 km Line-3 segment of the 118.9 km Chennai Metro Phase 2 project, which will connect Madhavaram to SIPCOT 2 through 49 stations, includes 9 elevated stations on Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) at the southern end.

Earlier plans for a train maintenance depot by Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) at SIPCOT were dropped in 2020. An elevated stable yard, akin to the one at Wimco Nagar for the 9.051 km Phase 1 Extension project, has now been replaced.

The initial bids for this package were floated by CMRL in January 2021, with a 36 month timeframe. Three proposals were received for the tender in July 2021, but it was subsequently canceled in February 2022 as a result of a significant redesign that disconnected the metro’s viaduct from the proposed IT expressway.

In March 2022, new bids were requested with an estimated value of Rs. 957.50 crore. In May 2022, technical bids were opened, revealing 7 bidders. The technical proposal from URC Construction Pvt. Ltd. (URCC) was rejected.

Financial Bid Values

Firm	Bid (Rs. Crore)
Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd. (RVNL)	901.15
KEC International – YFC Projects JV	909.50
Larsen and Toubro Ltd. (L&T)	1044.00
GR Infraprojects Ltd. (GRIL)	1047.17
JMC Projects India – Evrascon JV	1048.91
ITD Cementation India Ltd.	1095.89

Brief Scope of the CMRL’s bids are the Construction of an elevated viaduct (approximate length of 10 km), nine (9) elevated metro stations at Sholinganallur Lake, Ponniamman Temple, Sathyabama University, Semmancheri, Gandhi Nagar, Navallur, Siruseri, SIPCOT 1 and SIPCOT 2 and stabling viaduct at SIPCOT.

RVNL’s tender of Rs. 901.15 crore was 5.89% which is less than CMRL’s projection, so the tender for the contract will be awarded in the upcoming week.

The northern elevated part of the line, which has 10 stations and connects Nehru Nagar and Sholinganallur, was given to L&T back in May 2022.

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Pune Metro Installs Digital Kiosks

Staff Reporter

31/10/2022

PUNE (Metro Rail News): The PCMC metro station to Phugewadi metro station and Vanaz to Garware college metro station has been operational since 6th March 2022. Soon Pune Metro will complete the work from Phugewadi to Civil Court in the corridor I and Garware college to Civil Court in corridor II.

Simultaneously, the work on the communication Base Train Control Signaling System (CBTC), commissioning of the command and control center, commissioning of Receiving Substation (RSS), etc are being undertaken by Maha Metro.

Pune Metro has made various options available for buying tickets at metro stations. Last week, Pune Metro has installed Digital Kiosk at the stations so that passengers don’t have to wait in queues to buy tickets. A Digital Kiosk is designed for a stand-alone unmanned
operation and gives ticketing services to patrons using only digital payment methods i.e UPI only.

In the future, patrons can make payments with a Bank card also. The digital kiosk has a touch screen with instructions available in three languages – Marathi, Hindi, and English to avail tickets. A passenger can easily operate the digital kiosk to buy tickets.

In the digital kiosk, physical tickets, as well as digital tickets (tickets on WhatsApp), can be
obtained. Maha Metro urges passengers to opt for WhatsApp tickets to avoid the physical
paper ticket. At present, all the operational stations of Pune Metro have installed digital kiosks.

PCMC metro station installed 3 digital kiosks, Sant Tukaram Nagar metro station -1, Bhosari station -1, Kasarwadi metro station-1, and Phugewadi -1 in the corridor I and Vanaz metro station – 1, Anand Nagar metro station- 1, Ideal Colony metro station- 1, Nal stop metro station- 1 and Garware college metro station- 1 in the corridor 2. Total 12 digital kiosks have been installed at the stations.

Apart from the digital kiosk, every station has a TOM (Ticket Office Machine) where a passenger can buy a ticket with the help of a TOM operator. At TOM, passengers can pay in
cash or through all digital modes of payment and credit/debit cards. A passenger can obtain a paper QR ticket or QR ticket on WhatsApp.

For frequent travelers, Pune Metro has made a Pune Metro Mobile App which is available on
android and IOS platforms. Passengers can buy tickets through the mobile app in a completely digital process. On the app, all modes of online payment are made available.

The tickets will also be used in digital QR code mode on the mobile App. The digital QR code ticket obtained through the App will be directly used for scanning at the access control gate.

The majority of the Punekars are opting for digital modes of payment and ticketing because of this lots of paper is getting saved.

On this occasion, MD Maha Metro said, Pune Metro is committed to making it available world-class ticketing infrastructure for commuters. The digital kiosk is an eco-friendly initiative which will also save time for the commuters”.

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