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.
A specially decorated Metro train was launched in the presence of Dr. Mangu Singh, MD, DMRC to celebrating 75 years of India’s Independence ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav'
DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) introduced a specially decorated metro at Yamuna Bank Metro Station on the Blue Line on Tuesday as part of the ongoing ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav-celebrating 75 years of India’s Independence.’ Following its launch, the train was immediately put into passenger service.
According to the DMRC, the exterior of this eight-coach special train has been wrapped and painted with a collage of images and slogans portraying the glorious history of its people, culture, and achievements over the last 75 years; evoking the spirit of ‘Aatmnirbhar Bharat.’
“The train was ceremoniously launched on Republic Day to promote the message of nationalism and solidarity to the general public. Furthermore, they informed in a press release that this particular train would stay in service during the ‘AzadiKaAmritMahotsav’ commemorative period “, they informed in a press release.
Since last year, the DMRC has been hosting various activities to honour the ‘AzadikaAmritMahotsav – 75 years of India’s Independence’ (AKAM) celebrations. The DMRC began its AKAM commemorative activities in July 2021 from the Lal Quila Metro station on the Violet Line in the form of an exhibition to highlight the historical significance of the historic venue from which the Prime Minister addresses the nation on every Independence Day, which is August 15th.
“In addition, event corners, display panels inside and outside of prominent Metro stations across the network, and digital screens at stations and within trains are all regularly used to communicate theme-based fascinating messages on ‘AKAM’ celebrations.”
This includes trivia about significant events in Indian independence, inspirational words from prominent Indian leaders, the journey of India’s evolving in various fields, cultural diaspora, and so on,” according to the DMRC.
The DMRC also stated that from time to time, online and on-ground activities such as Cyclothon, children’s workshops, quizzes, and drawing competitions are held by the DMRC to raise awareness about the use of public transportation, non-motorized transportation, environmental benefits, and to revisit the history of independent India.
The services on Yellow Line will be partially regulated on Republic Day
DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said on Monday that its services in the national capital would be disrupted on January 26 owing to Republic Day celebrations. According to a statement, all metro station parking lots will be blocked from 6 a.m. on January 25 to 2 p.m. on January 26.
Republic Day Update
The services on Yellow Line will be partially regulated on Wednesday, the 26th of January, 2022 (Republic Day). This is being done as part of the security arrangements for the Republic Day celebrations as per the instructions of Delhi Police. pic.twitter.com/5PZxPtfFng
It further stated that on January 26, “as part of the security precautions for the Republic Day festivities as per the directives of Delhi Police,” services on the yellow line, which runs from HUDA City Centre to Samaypur Badli, will be partially regulated.
“During this time, travellers can interchange from Line 2 to Line 6 (Kashmere Gate to Raja Nahar Singh) and vice versa at the Central Secretariat Metro station. At 6:30 p.m., regular service will be restored at these stations. “It was also added.
Intelligence reports suggested that a terror organisation would try to carry out attacks throughout the national capital in January; hence Delhi has been converted into a fortress ahead of the Republic Day celebrations. The Delhi Police has deployed over 27,000 officers to avoid any unforeseen situations.
According to news agency ANI, Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana said, “Last year, preparations for Republic Day began just after the Independence Day celebrations. We must exercise additional vigilance in Delhi because it is always under threat of terrorism. We’re on high alert again this year. To keep track of all anti-terror efforts, security agencies are cooperating with Delhi Police.”
Vehicle inspections, checking of lodges, tenant, servant, and labourer verification have all been stepped up. “To safeguard airspace, counter-rogue drone technology is being deployed. Other agencies, in addition to the Delhi Police, are working together to secure the airspace. In and around Central Vista, all agencies are cooperating with Delhi Police,” he stated.
“We will finalise the contractor shortly, and these vehicles will be available in six months,” an official said. In the increased parking area at Wimco Nagar, there will be a particular lane for these buggies to run between the stations. “Since these vehicles cannot be operated on the road, we will make a separate lane,” the official stated.
Thousands of people exit the station at Vadapalani and proceed to the nearby Forum Mall. They will benefit from this service. “The largest underground station in the world is the Chennai Central Metro, and many senior folks and others find it difficult to walk from the concourse to the lift point.” “These buggies will only run on the concourse level,” he explained.
KOCHI (Metro Rail News): Since its inauguration in 2017, the Kochi Metro has served over five million passengers. According to a KMRL spokesman, the total number of passengers who have used the service has reached 5.12 crore. During these years, 40,000 to 50,000 passengers used the facilities on average.
Before the pandemic, it was over 65,000. Due to pandemic-induced lockdowns, the Kochi Metro was closed for more than 160 days in 2020 and more than 50 days in 2021. It never regained its previous footfall after the lockdown.
The average number of customers declined to 18,361 in 2020. However, after the second shutdown, it showed a minor recovery in 2021, with an average of 26,043 daily commuters. The Metro, which is infamous for losing money, has recently implemented a number of sops.
Some passengers are requesting a rate reduction. According to the Metro’s annual report, it lost Rs 334.41 crores in 2020-21. In 2019-20, it was Rs 310.82 crores. The income of the metro train, on the other hand, is increasing. It made Rs 167.46 crores in 2020-21, compared to Rs 134.95 crores in 2019-20.
MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL), the project implementing authority for the underground Metro Line 3 (Colaba-Bandra—SEEPZ), stated that overall 18% of track laying work has been achieved far. On the entire corridor, a total of 66.07 kilometres of the track will be laid.
The Head Hardened (HH) rails of a total of 10,740 tonnes manufactured by Japanese company M/s. Nippon will be utilised for Metro-3 track work. Last year, M/s. Mitsui imported all of the rails from Japan in three lots. M/s Larsen & Toubro has been commissioned with the track installation and construction.
For the first time in India, Low Vibration Track (High Attenuation) technology is employed for track work. M/s Sonneville AG, a Swiss company, devised this device to reduce greater levels of noise and vibration in the range of 22VdB (vibration measurement) generated during train operations on this line.
Because Metro Line 3 will travel beneath different heritage and ancient residential structures once it is completed. This technology will improve passenger comfort while also protecting the existing heritage structures on the ground.
The sleepers for the tracks are made in a specialised sleeper casting plant at Wadala explicitly built for this purpose. According to the MMRC, 201,600 sleeper blocks will be required for the entire project.
While overall, work on Metro Line 3 has been 71 per cent so far. A total of 97 per cent of the tunnelling work has been finished. The construction of the station is in full swing, with 77 per cent of the work completed thus far. According to the MMRCl, 34% of system development has been performed.
The Rail Budget will be presented on February 1 alongside the General Budget, as has been the pattern since the Narendra Modi government took power, ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled to be held in the five states.
Nirmala Sitharaman, the finance minister, will announce her fourth budget on February 1, and reports say the Central government will increase the rail budget outlay by 15-20% this time. The Railways received Rs 1,10,055 crore from the government last year. An amount of roughly Rs 2.5 lakh crore is expected to be set aside this time.
In many railway-related areas, there is a buzz of excitement ahead of the budget. The central government may announce new passenger railway facilities. In the last fiscal year, the Railways have lost Rs 26,338 crore. Despite the losses sustained during the Covid-induced crisis, analysts feel that a train fare increase is unlikely. The Railways is also thought to be examining options other than raising fares to boost revenue.
During the Covid period, freight provided the majority of the Railways’ earnings. As a result, the railways will make an effort to prepare other freight lanes, which will relieve pressure on passenger trains. In the rail budget, about ten new light trains (aluminum-built) for long-distance travel could be unveiled.
Plans are in the works to improve rail connections in election-bound states and major cities. The government may enlist the help of commercial enterprises to do this. A bullet train connecting Delhi and Varanasi may also be announced. Indian Railways will develop the solar-power capacity to minimise their reliance on electricity and diesel and to reduce carbon emissions.
In addition, the National Rail Plan will state that by 2030, all trains will be fully electrified. Through the PPP model, redevelopment projects for the enhancement of the stations will be revealed. Twelve corridors have been identified for this purpose. It has piqued the curiosity of several companies.
The administration may also announce the formation of a Rail Development Authority this year, which will provide recommendations to the government on fare-related matters. More projects like Tejas are planned to be developed in the future to connect major tourist hotspots around the country.
In addition, the creation of specialised freight lines would be prioritised. The East-West Corridor from Bhusaval to Dankuni via Kharagpur has already been announced, as has the North-South Corridor from Itarsi to Vijayawada. The Finance Minister had also unveiled the National Rail Plan 2030 for railway development while declaring the previous railway budget.
It was announced that the railway facilities would be given a new makeover. The central government has already set aside Rs 1 lakh crore for investment. In addition, metro rail systems are being built in the outskirts of two Tier-2 and Tier-1 cities, with Indian Railways aiming to become “the world’s first 100 percent green train service” by 2030.
In addition, the federal government may declare the use of hyperloop technology in the upcoming rail budget. Passengers are transported in pods through tubes or tunnels. This mode of transport is more rapid than the bullet train.
The government could possibly make major infrastructure announcements in the budget. The government may announce the redevelopment of 500 railway stations in this budget, which will be named ‘Kayakalp.’
Mr. Alain SPOHR, MD, Alstom India & South Asia
Alain SPOHR, Managing Director, Alstom India & South Asia said
“Alstom believes that Railways can prove to be one of the champion sectors to provide fillip to Make in India, incentivise foreign investments and deliver a big boost to the economy. We are positive that this year’s budget will be as progressive as last year’s, where the Government allocated a record sum for capital expenditure.
Our expectations are in line with the priority accorded to infrastructure projects by the Government such as National Infrastructure Pipeline and PM Gati Shakti (National Master Plan for Multi-modal Connectivity). An enhanced capital outlay to encourage railway
modernization plans for creation of infrastructure as well as replacing railway passenger and freight fleets would be ideal. Special emphasis on multi-modal connectivity with enhanced opportunities under PPP mode is expected to boost activity in this sector.
We agree with the Finance Minister that connectivity is the essence of the economy and improving intercity connectivity is critical for the formation of smart cities and boosting the pace and volume of economy. We are expecting additional support for introduction of new technologies such as Metro Lite and Metro Neo for promoting mobility in Tier II & III cities.
We are hopeful that the government will further improve on the ease of doing business in India as there is a huge potential for growth. Introducing production linked incentives for railway manufacturers and exporters promoting Make-in-India would be encouraging while also fast-tracking the implementation of projects and supporting the manufacturing ecosystem. Certainty in policy and adequate government support for project execution can vastly improve private investment in the sector.
With the ambition to become the largest Green Railways in the world moving towards becoming a ‘net zero carbon emission’, we are hopeful that measures to promote energy efficient and carbon-friendly technologies, processes and practices will feature in the upcoming budget.
Promoting a level playing field for original domestic as well as foreign companies, which have invested substantially in India and contribute towards economic growth, will attract additional investments into the country. The Government must consider supporting companies that are significantly invested in India, conducting cutting- edge R&D and executing large railway development projects to come forward and make India an export hub. These measures will also help India become an Atmanirbhar Bharat and achieve its aspiration of a $5 trillion GDP”
Mr. Rohit Saboo, President & CEO, National Engineering Industries Ltd.
Rohit Saboo, President & CEO, National Engineering Industries Ltd Said
“In the light of the continuing pandemic, the government is making an ongoing effort to achieve normalcy with regards to economic damages. Keeping in mind the future of the country, budget should be growth oriented and should focus on capital expenditure. It should continue providing financial support to SME/MSME sector, which is the future of our nation. Home grown brands should be given priority in all government tenders in line with Make in India initiative. There should be a mechanism for fast-track approval for products developed by local suppliers. The Government should focus on faster induction and implementation of Artificial Intelligence based technologies for safety and maintenance in the Railway system. Emphasis should also be given on logistics services. Further, digital integration of Railway system with industry systems can radically reduce the time and cost for domestic suppliers.”
MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHRCL) has signed an agreement with IRCON International Limited for the design, supply, and construction of the track and track-related activities for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor (MAHSR T-2 Package). It is 237 kilometres long and between Vadodara and Vapi in Gujarat.
On India’s first Bullet Train or HSR project, the ballast-less slab Track system adopted in Japanese HSR (Shinkansen) will be deployed. For the contract, Japan Railway Track Consultant Co. Limited (JRTC) provided thorough design and drawings of major HSR track components such as RC Track bed, Track slab layout, and continuous welded rail (CWR) forces.
The contract, which was awarded to an Indian company, M/s IRCON International Limited, intends to strengthen the Make in India effort. “We have received support from JICA in a very effective manner,” stated Satish Agnihotri, Managing Director, NHSRCL, in response to the development. I am grateful for the technical assistance provided by JICC, JARTS, and JRTC for the MAHSR project.” He stated.
“Under this contract, Indian contractors will receive transfer of Japanese Shinkansen technology, which will offer a huge boost to the Make in India effort,” stated MIYAMOTO Shingo, Minister of Economic and Development, Embassy of Japan in India.
Hyderabad (Metro Rail News): The onslaught of the new Omicron model has sent footfalls plunging again, even before the Hyderabad Metro rail could chug back to pre-Covid levels in terms of passenger footfalls. “Prior to the pandemic, the number of daily footfalls for all three metro corridors hovered around 4 lakh.”
After the second wave, footfalls began to rise and peaked at 2 lakh in October of last year, indicating that things were gradually returning to normal. However, it has already dropped to roughly 1.3 lakh per day.
One of the main reasons for the steep decline in footfalls is that most of the offices that had opened up following the second wave have gone back to working from home, either entirely or on a rotation basis. “I used to commute from Hitech City to Ameerpet every day, and the metro has been overcrowded during rush hours for the past few months.” But now, every other day, I travel and find over half of the seats empty, possibly because many offices, including ours, have changed to rotational work from office approach,” said Kiranjyot Kaur, a techie in the Ameerpet region.
Aside from WFH, there’s also the fear of catching the highly transmissible Omicron strain when riding the bus. Despite the fact that the Hyderabad Metro rail administration are making a concerted effort to sanitise the system on a regular basis.
The officials, on the other hand, believe that because it is Sankranthi season, now is not the best time to estimate footfalls and that a clear image will emerge later. However, the fact remains that inadequate patronage is the primary reason why the project for the second phase of the metro has failed to get off the ground.
“There is very little footfall in all three corridors. Daily footfalls had reached 4 lakh in the pre-Covid era, and it was supposed to reach 8 lakh in the next two years, but this has not happened,” claimed an insider.
HYDERABAD (Metro Rail News): The State government is expected to rescue L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad Ltd by accepting the recommendations of the Cabinet Sub-Committee that investigated HMRL concerns. During an informal encounter with the media on Thursday, Transport Minister Puvvada Ajay Kumar said this. He stated that the government was willing to assist Metro.
According to the minister, if the Metro Rail is to survive, four lakh passengers should use it daily. He said that the corporation was given land for commercial purposes but could not use it.
L&TMRHL reported a net loss of Rs 382 crore in the previous financial year, according to its 2019-20 annual report. The overall revenue was Rs 1,370 crore. During the 169-day lockdown, the corporation faced a loss of Rs 300 crore.
According to sources, the government does not want the case to go to court, where it would be forced to pay as the court orders. Instead, after receiving a report from the Cabinet Sub-committee, the administration is likely to propose a bailout plan.
The sub-committee is expected to provide its report to Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao in the near future. On January 17, the topic was brought before the Cabinet. The CM is believed to have agreed to the Municipal Administration department’s recommendation to consider L&TMRHL’s concerns and demands to solve the project’s financial hardship.
HYDERABAD (Metro Rail News): Telangana municipal administration minister KT Rama Rao has urged national finance minister Nirmala Sitaraman to contribute around 7,000 crores in money or contribution to the Telangana government in the upcoming union budget for the fiscal year 2022-2023.
He requested funds from the Centre for a number of projects under the municipal administration and urban development department, including the expansion of metro rail connectivity in the city, the construction of flyovers, junction improvements, the strategic road development programme (SRDP), the linking of the East and West parts of Hyderabad, and the construction of sewerage treatment plants.
KTR requested funds for a six-lane elevated corridor from Paradise Junction (at Gymkhana Grounds) to ORR Junction at Shamirpet (v) on Rajiv Rahadari and another six-lane elevated corridor from Paradise Junction to ORR Junction near Kandlakoya in a letter to the union finance minister on Thursday. While the project’s cost, excluding land, is around 9,000 crore, he added, the defence land for the elevated corridors is still pending with the union defence minister.
The minister requested financial help for the metro rail project after the Centre allocated large funding for the Bangalore metro in the previous budget. “The state government is proposing that the metro network be expanded along the KPHB-Kokapet and Narsingi corridors. buy dapoxetine online https://pavg.net/wp-content/themes/twentytwentyone/inc/en/dapoxetine.html no prescription
The preliminary cost estimate for the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) is 3,050 crore, but the Centre has been asked to fund 15% of the project cost, or 450 crore,” KTR stated.
The proposed corridor, he said, will be 30 kilometres long and have a five-lakh-rider capacity by 2030. It will connect to the projected Airport Express at Narsingi as well as the existing Metro network in the Financial District. He also requested financing for the Warangal Metro-Neo project, which is expected to cost around 184 crores. He said the Telangana government is looking into the possibilities of manufacturing Metro-Neo coaches in the state, citing Gol’s “Make in India” and “Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan” policies.
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