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.
Mr Kumar Keshav presenting certificates to the awardees.
LUCKNOW (Metro Rail News): “Shri Kumar Keshav, MD, UPMRC today felicitated the best performing security guards & housekeeping staff for their commendable work while performing their duty. An award ceremony was organized at the Administrative Office, Gomti Nagar in which the Managing Director presented a ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ to the awardees in the presence of other senior officials of UPMRC in recognition of their honest attitude, sincerity, commitment & work ethics in the regular routine”, the UPMRC said in a statement. On 1st October 2020, Ms Gauri Pathak, a female security guard, G4S, on duty at Charbagh Metro station, found an unclaimed watch inside women’s toilet, in spite of knowing that the toilet had no CCTV surveillance, the female guard showed her honesty and integrity and handed over the watch to the station controller who later passed it on to its rightful owner. A similar incident occurred on 20 October 2020 when Shri Hari Darshan Singh, on-duty TOM operator, found a gold ring lying at Gate no. 2 of CCS Airport Metro station. Showing his honesty, integrity and dedication towards work, he took the ring and submitted it to the on-duty station controller who later handed it over to its rightful owner. On other hand, Mrs Ratna from housekeeping staff was awarded for her contribution for keeping the Metro premises safe, clean & hygienic during the Covid-19 pandemic. “While appreciating their outstanding work and invaluable contribution during duty hours, Kumar Keshav, MD, UPMRC also expressed his gratitude for the sincere efforts made by the security, housekeeping and outsourcing staff to maintain the highest standards of work ethics in performing their respective duties with utmost dedication, commitment & perseverance. Even at the time of this global crisis; they have been providing their services to the organization & rendering all kinds of humanitarian support just for the sake of convenience of the public. He also encouraged them to carry on their efforts with the same kind of attitude, promptness & efficiency in providing best passenger service to the people of the city”, the statement added.
KOCHI (Metro Rail News): Considering the requests of the public and cyclists in general, Kochi Metro has decided to permit commutters to carry their cycles along for the ride from all the metro stations. On a pilot basis, Kochi Metro had permitted entry of cycles from six stations. On Sunday (November 22) 67 cyclists enjoyed a metro ride. The average ridership of Kochi Metro is 15,000 now. “The response from the public was overwhelming. We are equipped to serve the people from all the metro stations. The entry will be available from Sunday 29 November, 2020.” said Additional Chief Secretary Alkesh Kumar Sharma IAS, MD KMRL. Kochi Metro meanwhile has created a guideline for the entry of cycles. At present four cycles will be permitted in one train. Bicycles must be free of debris and excess grease, dirt and sharp objects. Motor-powered recreational vehicles of any kind, tandem bicycles, tricycles and bicycles with training wheels are not permitted. Bicycles that are folded or disassembled and enclosed in carrying bags are deemed “luggage” items. Cyclists are prohibited from riding bicycles in the station premises, corridors, Link bridge & on platforms or in any covered areas.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually inaugurate the Agra Metro Rail project on December 1.
AGRA (Metro Rail News): According to sources, “The Prime Minister will virtually inaugurate the Agra Metro Rail project in the presence of the Chief Minister and other dignitaries in the first week of December probably December 1. The required arrangements are being made.” In the first phase, three metro stations — Taj East Gate, Basai and Fatehabad road, and an elevated four-km-long track will be constructed within 26 months and at an expected cost of Rs 273 crore. The tendering process has been completed. On February 28, 2019, the Union cabinet had approved the Agra Metro Rail project with two corridors that would connect major public nodes, tourist places and city cluster areas in Agra. According to the UP Metro Rail Corporation Limited (UPMRC) officials, the Rs 8,379.62 crore Agra Metro Rail project will be a major boost to the urban public transport connectivity in the city. buy viagra super fluox force online no prescription
The online inauguration ceremony will also be attended by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. “The implementation of the metro rail system will result in less vehicular traffic and better movement on the roads leading to a reduction in congestions, travel time, cost of journeys, accidents and pollution”, an official added. According to the detailed project report (DRP) approved by the Union cabinet, the Agra Metro Rail project will have two corridors passing through the heart of the city and connecting prominent tourist places, including the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Etmaddulah and Sikandra, as well as major government offices, hospitals and market places. A total of 27 stations will be developed along the 29.4 km rail corridor in the city. Ahead of the programme, barricading for the construction of the first corridor is being done on Fatehabad road. Besides, the foundation of the first metro rail station will be laid opposite TDI Mall on Fatehabad road.
NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative of the Government of India, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and Central Electronics Limited (CEL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today for developing various indigenous rail engineering & system technologies.
The MoU was signed between CEL’s Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Shri B. N. Sarkar and DMRC’s Director (Operations) Shri A K. Garg at Metro Bhawan in the presence of DMRC’s Managing Director, Dr Mangu Singh and other senior officials from both the organisations. Under this MoU, both the organisations will take up indigenous development for mutual benefit under ‘Make in India’ initiative, for the following major activities:- i. Broken Rail Detection system ii. Theft Intrusion Detection System iii. Concrete Health Monitoring system iv. Remote Health Monitoring of Point Machines v. Multi Section Digital Axle Counter (MSDAC) vi. MSDAC with ATP to replace older technologies
Dr Mangu Singh termed this development as a major step forward towards the development of indigenous technologies. He added that this association will not only achieve Obsolescence Management but will also add value in operations meeting reliability & punctuality of Metro rail systems.
“To take the project forward, dedicated teams of DMRC and CEL will work together to inch towards the concept of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative”, the DMRC said in a statement.
Central Electronics Limited, Sahibabad (U.P) is a Govt. of India Enterprise under the Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India working in the field of research and development of various technologies etc.
MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): The BEML Ltd. has received a big order from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to supply 72 more coaches (12 train-sets of 6 cars) to operate on Mumbai Metro’s upcoming 18.6 Line-2A (Yellow Line) and 16.5 km Line-7 (Red Line). The order is valued at Rs 501 crores (approx) and takes the total number of coaches on order for both lines to 576 (96 train-sets).
“With this, the total contract value has increased to Rs 4318 Crores (approx) from the existing Rs 3817 Crores (approx)”, The BEML said in a statement.
The statement issued by BEML.
BEML has said that the deliveries will be made before August 2023 according to the statement.
UPMRC Chief Mr Kumar Keshav presenting the certificate.
LUCKNOW (Metro Rail News): To acknowledge the commendable service and dedication towards work, Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. honored the best performing employee for the month of November 2020. Today, UPMRC’s Managing Director Shri. Kumar Keshav awarded the ‘Employee of the Month’ certificate to Ms. Garima Tyagi (November, 2020) for her exemplary service. “While performing duty in the capacity of Customer Relations Assisstant (CRA), Ms Garima has proved to be a multi-tasking person and impressed everyone with her good behaviour both with the staff and passengers during public dealing. She has also rendered support and provided assistance in disposal of public complaints. After the recommencement of Metro operations during Covid-19 pandemic, she actively took part in the management of Health Desk deployed at Metro station and played a vital role in the direct marketing drive to promote the sale of GoSmart cards educating Metro commuters about benefits of contactless smart cards. Her contribution even during the troubled times is simply commendable, praiseworthy and deserves appreciation”, the UPMRC said in a statement. UPMRC’s Managing Director Shri Kumar Keshav awarded the ‘Employee of the Month’ certificate to Ms. Garima Tyagi (for November, 2020) for her enthusiasm, dedication and courage even in adverse conditions. During the award ceremony held at UPMRC’s Administrative Building, Gomti Nagar, Shri Keshav congratulated the awardee for her exemplary service and skills. “Each person associated with UPMRC is our pillar of strength and it’s an honor for us to have such people on board who are dedicated and committed towards one single mission of providing a World Class Public Transport System, with all their heart. Ms. Garima Tyagi, CRA (Customer Relation Asst.) impressed everyone with her good conduct, discipline, and courage to discharge her responsibilities. We, as a team are leaving no stone unturned to serve the people of Lucknow with the best of our abilities’’, Shri Kumar Keshav said while speaking on the occassion.
Our Managing Editor Mr Narendra Shah and Our Senior Editor, Mr Manoranjan Kumar had a conversation with Mr V R Sharma, the Managing Director of Jindal Steel & Power Limited. Here are some excerpts from the brief Conversation:-
Narendra Shah- JSPL has emerged as a leading manufacturer and supplier of Rails across India and the world today. What has been the strategy behind it?
V R Sharma – Delhi Metro started operation in the year 2002. They imported Head Hardened Rails from Japan and Europe. We, in JSPL, installed a Rail Mill in 1998. We were supplying Rails to Indian Railways for Railway Siding & yards.
The main track Rails were either imported or were supplied by SAIL, Bhilai. The consumption of Head Hardened Rails grade 1080 was increasing month after month because Delhi Metro commissioned its Phase-1, Phase-2 and declared Phase-3 expansion.
We met Metro Rails Engineers and found that the suppliers of Head Hardened 1080 grade worldwide are very few. We found an opportunity in this business. Since it was a highly technical product, we started scouting the useful and cost-effective technology so that the cost of Metro Rails Tracks can be reduced. We found a world’s reputed supplier SMS-Meer, Germany who had developed the Rails Head Hardened (HH) technology. Our Rail mill is also built by SMS-Meer group, Germany.
In the year 2013, we placed the order on SMS-Meer to supply us Head Hardening facility and integrate the same in our Rail Mill. In the year 2016, we commissioned our Plant and first order we got from Iran for Head Hardened Rails for High-speed Rails tracks. Successfully we supplied 20,000 tons HH Rails to Iran Rails and the quality certification was done by international quality control agencies. This was the beginning. After having supplied to the overseas customer and after obtaining a good size of the order, we approached Indian Metro Rail projects.
Narendra Shah – How was the response from Indian Metro Rail projects and Indian Railways?
V R Sharma – Initially the response was slow but finally Metro projects started taking an interest. The basic reasons for interest were the inconveniences Metro projects were facing in most of the cases.
1)To import HH Rails, the Metro projects were required to meet the conditions of foreign Rail suppliers in most of the deals such as –
a. Minimum order quantity (approximately 3000 – 5000 tons) to be given as per the demands of foreign Rail Suppliers.
b. Upfront opening of LC/TT Payment at least 4-6 months in advance.
c. Waiting time was too high, that is 4-6 months from tender floating to receipt of Rails.
d. Smaller lengths – 13 meter or 26 meter long Rails because of the sea route. Hence more number of weld joints are required.
e. The risk of currency fluctuation was on Indian buyers.
2)Buying locally from India is advantageous to the buyer.
a. We can supply as low as 500 tons quantity per order.
b. Our payment terms are flexible and customer friendly.
c. We deliver Rails up to project sites damage-free as the number of handling is reduced.
d. The delivery is done within 30-45 days or earlier if there is a specific request.
e. No risk of currency fluctuation.
f. Our Rails are RDSO approved and inspected by RITES (A Government of India Company).
g. We can deliver Rails in the length up to 234/260 meter which reduces the number of weld joints and laying is easier.
Narendra Shah- RDSO has recently approved 60E1 1175 Heat Treated (HT) Rails manufactured by JSPL for use in higher axle load & high-speed trains. How will this move change the future Rail business of your firm?
V R Sharma – The grade 1175 HT is an exciting product. Indian Railways asked us to develop this grade of Rails to enable them to carry heavy load/wagon that is 75 tons instead of 64 tons/wagon as of now.
We consulted our technology partner and finally, we produced these 1175 HT grades of Rails successfully. We believe that in the next 8-10 years the entire country will have 1175 HT grade of rail tracks. Now JSPL is fully approved for Main track Rails grade 880, R260, 1080 HH and 1175 HT. JSPL has already supplied Rails for the main track of Indian Railways.
Narendra Shah – Can you please tell how JSPL started its venture in the Rail business? How do you take it today as the Managing Director of the firm?
V R Sharma – The entire country’s mindset is changing after the campaign driven by Hon’ble Prime Minister, Mr Modi to go “ vocal for local”.
Indian Railways Engineers started utilizing the local sources as a substitute to imported Rails. Thanks to Hon’ble Prime Minister, Ministry of Steel, Ministry of Rails and Indian/Metro Railway Engineers.
Narendra Shah – What are the business prospects which you are looking for in the near future? Are you going to bring any new product for the Rail and Metro Sector?
V R Sharma – Indian Railways + Metro projects have projected 1.70 Million ton of demand of Rails per year. In addition, more than 2,00,000 tone Rails of 1080 grade are required by Metro Rails projects/Rapid Rail Projects in the country. Therefore, it is a huge market. The vocal for local will boost the sale of Rails from JSPL.
Narendra Shah –JSPL is already a key player in the Indian steel business and making good profits? How has the company performed in the last quarter?
V R Sharma – We made net profits in Q-4 of last year after a gap of more than 5 years. We are maintaining the same spirit in all subsequent months and quarter. During the Covid pandemic lockdown, we made an ever highest EBIDTA. In Q-2, we maintained the pace and earned EBIDTA more than Q-1. We have grown 19 % (YoY) in production and 30 % (YoY) in Sale and the EBIDTA margin is 31 %.
Rails manufactured by JSPL.
Manoranjan Kumar – Whom would you like to give its credit to?
V R Sharma – It is a complete teamwork and Mr Naveen Jindal is a farsighted person. Mr Jindal invested in Infrastructural steel making products rather than producing the commodities. He delegated his authority to his people so that they can work well and that is the reason the Company is doing well.
Manoranjan Kumar – The power sector is one of the most stressed sectors for the last few years. What is the status of the power business of JSPL?
V R Sharma – We are operating our power plants at 60 % capacity and the demand is picking up now. We have reached 70-75 % capacity utilization and in the next few months, we will reach to full capacity utilisation. We have requested the government of India for “One Nation One Tariff”, a policy which will enable the country to make the cost uniform across the country. The electricity prices are to be rationalized like telecom sector where its rate is uniform across the country.It will help revive the industry and create rapid industrialization across the country.
Manoranjan Kumar – The government of India had allocated a relief package of Rs 90,000 crores to the power sector. Has it brought any major change or something more is needed? Please express your views.
V R Sharma – The disbursement of Rs 90,000 Cr is definitely helping us because States are now in a position to pay on time for the electricity purchased by them.
Manoranjan Kumar- In which segment of the business, you are going to invest the most in the next financial year? What do you think about the power sector when it comes to investment?
V R Sharma – We are not going to invest in any of the businesses in the near future. We are going to make our company debt-free or lean debt company. We don’t want to take further loans from banks.
Manoranjan Kumar – What do you think about the future of the Steel and Power sector? Is the route for recovery going to belong for these sectors?
V R Sharma – The future depends upon the present. The current situation is very favourable for the steel industry. Most of the major/integrated steel plants are running @ 90-95% capacity utilisation.
Manoranjan Kumar – When we come to the Rail business, there are a lot of foreign players in the market? How can the Make in India move get successful in the Rail Sector? What do you expect from the government?
V R Sharma – I would like to request the Government of India to remove restrictive clauses from Global/Local tenders that impede the domestic players. Secondly, the Government of India shall come up with a clear direction to Metro Rail projects and Indian Railways that there should be No Imports of Rails.
Once again will reiterate that the restrictive clauses in tenders to be abolished to make the dream of ‘Atmanirbhar’ true. Sometimes we find clauses in tender documents of Rails that the supplier should be in profit during the last 3 financial years. Such clauses are detrimental to new suppliers. The Rails are sold on the basis of technical merits as per norms laid by RDSO and inspection by RITES (Government of India Co.).
The entry of foreign suppliers of Rails should be banned because local capacities & capabilities are available. If foreign suppliers want to avail share of Indian business then they should make an investment in India and should produce Rails in India. The concept of Atma Nirbhar Bharat should be kept in view always.
Manoranjan Kumar- Different RRTS projects are coming up in different parts of the country. The Bullet Train Project is also gaining pace. With this, the demand for rails will increase? What are your plans for the expanding Indian rail market?
V R Sharma – The Rail projects being executed on credit lines facility from different countries like Japan are very unfavourable for the steel industry in India specially for Rail manufacture. The Japanese Government is supplying Rails to Dedicated Freight Corridors and to Bullet train project. Government of India should discourage such a credit line facility where steel products or Rails are coming from the country who extends credit limit. Technology like Signalling system, Engines, Safety gadgets, control panels may be supplied by credit line countries.
Manoranjan Kumar – You have already started supplying Rails to Kolkata Metro. How has been your journey with Kolkata Metro? Do you have any ongoing deals with other Metro Corporations?
V R Sharma – Yes. We have already supplied to Kolkata Metro and we are expecting next order soon. The supplies to Pune Metro are going to be started shortly. Still, global tenders are being floated. Government of India/Ministry of Urban development must work on Hon’ble Prime Minster’s vision “ Vocal for Local” and should ban imports of Rails because we have capability & capacity to meet out entire requirements of Rails.
Manoranjan Kumar – Please share your views about the Atma Nirbhar Bharat plan and Make in India initiative? What are the major things which are vital for the success of these initiatives? Kindly express your opinion.
V R Sharma – This is a positive development. Thanks to Hon’ble Prime Minister, Mr Modi. I am sure, the whole country will soon start working in this direction. We must buy/prefer local products. This will boost our economy. India can be Atma Nirbhar in steel with immediate effect.
Manoranjan Kumar – Kindly share a message for our readers.
V R Sharma- It’s time to localize and you will be a torchbearer in this process of localization.
KOCHI (Metro Rail News): Kochi Metro Rail Limited has started to beautify Medians with the support of corporates and business community from Kochi. Already 215 of its medians from Edappally to Petta stretch have been given to sponsors who will maintain and beautify the medians with gardens. Kochi Metro decided to beautify the medians as part of its endeavours to make a zero-carbon footprint system. Major Jewelers, hospitals, bakeries, textile shops and other institutions along the stretch have sponsored the medians. Cochin Shipyard, Petronet, Union bank and other banks also have sponsored the medians. The shipyard is currently maintaining 16 medians. KMRL so far has found sponsors for close to 70 per cent medians in the stretch. At present, the sponsors are displaying their name in each median. KMRL has fixed a nominal one-time cost for sponsoring the median and they can choose either normal gardening or biodegradable gardening. The sponsor should spend money on the upkeep of the median for two years. “KMRL has implemented several green initiatives. Maintaining all the medians was not practical and financially it was not sustainable so KMRL decided to find sponsors for the same. Several sponsors are coming forward to maintain the medians. The medians will not only look good but also help nature” said Alkesh Kumar Sharma IAS, MD KMRL. “The gardens are maintained in such a way that only shrubs or plants suitable for different seasons are selected. buy levitra soft online https://pavg.net/wp-content/themes/twentytwentyone/inc/en/levitra-soft.html no prescription
Shrubs are preferred and the same is kept in a decent height to prevent headlight glare. The sponsors are also managing the aftercare as well as maintenance for two years”, it said in a statement.
MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): According to a news report, “workers from J Kumar Infraprojects and Sunder Cranes erected the first 9.5m wide pier cap of Mumbai Metro’s Line-4A (Green Line) on Ghodbunder Road in Owale, Thane West”. This small 2.88 km northern extension of the 32.32 km Line-4 will connect Kasarvadavali to Gaimukh through new 2 stations at Gowniwada and Gaimukh. The contract for its construction through Package CA54 was awarded to J Kumar Infraprojects in September 2019 with a value of Rs 342 crore. buy kamagra polo online https://lasernailtherapy.com/wp-content/themes/twentytwentytwo/inc/patterns/en/kamagra-polo.html no prescription
“Line-4A’s first pier was cast in early June 2020, and the timing of this launch – at 14 months from contract award – is slower than what J Kumar accomplished in 2017 for Line-7’s construction at Pathanwadi in 11 months from that line’s contract award. But with the COVID-19 related lock-down affecting construction work and its ecosystem between March – June and beyond, I’d consider the difference to be negligible”, the news report added.
CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): Union Home Minister today remotely inaugurated the foundation stone for the city’s 118.9 km Phase 2 project which will feature 3 new metro lines, 127 stations and 2 train maintenance depots. The project was approved by Tamil Nadu state government’s cabinet in 2019 at an estimated cost of Rs. 69,180 crore and the Central Government’s cabinet approval is currently pending. Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. (CMRL) is in advanced discussions with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to fund part of Line-3 & Line-5, with Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to fund part of Line-4 & Line-5, and with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to fund part of Line-3 and Line-4. Preliminary groundwork also started to develop the site for Villivakkam Station on Line-5. This is not the start of civil work for the station’s construction (its tender notice is currently pending), and just involves the relocation of a sewage pumping station and construction of a compound wall, panel room, DG room etc.
