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Kerala plans to expand Kochi Water Metro plan in Alappuzha and Kollam 

Narendra Shah & Editorial Team
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Kerala plans to expand Kochi Water Metro plan in Alappuzha and Kollam 

KERALA (Metro Rail News): After the success of the Kochi Water Metro, the Kerala government is now planning to introduce similar services in other districts as well including Alappuzha and Kollam. Transport Minister C.P. John said in the Assembly that Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) conducted a feasibility study. The government has already submitted the reports to Inland Waterways Authorities of India (IWAI). The State Government wants to utilise Kerala’s vast network of waterways for improving public transport and reducing burden on roads. 

Expansion is taking shape

Alappuzha, Kollam have been identified for the upcoming phase. Officials believe water transport could be a faster, more convenient way for transportation in districts with extensive networks of rivers, canals, backwaters. The government also intends to increase cargo movement through waterways rather than roads.

Government pushes cargo movement through waterways

The government also wants to move more goods through waterways instead of roads. To support this plan, the Kerala State Inland Navigation Corporation has prepared 10 barges for cargo transportation. Officials expect this move to reduce heavy truck traffic on roads while promoting inland water transport. 

Green transport goal by 2031

The Transport Minister also mentioned that the water transport department has set a target to become environmentally friendly by 2031. The department aims to achieve:

  • Zero energy consumption
  • Zero emissions
  • Zero fuel costs

As part of this plan:

  • 60% of its boats will run on solar power.
  • 50% of its stations will use solar energy.

The Vaikom Water Transport Station has already become India’s first fully solar-powered water transport station. 

Solar boats brings recognition 

C.P. John also highlighted the achievements of Aditya, which is India’s first eco-friendly solar-powered passenger boat. Aditya won the Gustav Trouvé as the world’s best electric boat, a recognition that the minister described as a major achievement for Kerala. Solar-powered boats such as Aditya and Indra have also helped reduce pollution and operating costs. He further mentioned that water-based tourism projects such as Kuttanad Safari, Vega, Sea Kuttanad and Sea Ashtamudi have also been initiated to boost the tourism sector. Infrastructure upgrades are being carried out in state, and the service is now equipped with more steel and fibre catamaran boats to enhance speed and efficiency. 

Also Read: Srinagar, Guwahati and Kolkata soon to get Water Metro networks: IWAI floats DPR and consultancy tenders

PM Modi to lay foundation stone for Jaipur Metro Phase II on July 4

Narendra Shah & Editorial Team
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PM Modi to lay foundation stone for Jaipur Metro Phase II on July 4

JAIPUR (Metro Rail News): After facing long delays, Jaipur Metro Phase II is finally closer to its implementation. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will visit Jaipur to lay the foundation stone for the project on 4th July, 2026. This 41 km long North–South corridor from Prahladpura to Todi Mod consists of 36 stations (34 elevated and 2 underground) and will be implemented by Rajasthan Metro Rail Corporation Limited (RMRCL), a 50:50 joint venture of the Government of India and the Government of Rajasthan. The total estimated cost of the project is ₹13,037.66 crore. 

The Phase II corridor will provide smooth connectivity to major parts of Jaipur such as Sitapura Industrial Area, VKIA, Jaipur Airport, Tonk Road, SMS Hospital and Stadium, Ambabari and Vidhyadhar Nagar. The stations will be integrated with the operational Phase 1 and connect with the airport. 

The Jaipur Metro Phase II is aligned with the Rajasthan TOD Policy-2025, and the targeted year of completion is September 2031. Once operational, this corridor will provide better traffic management and enhance connectivity for the residents, workers and tourists.

Jaipur Metro Phase 1 operates on 11.64 km track, with 11 stations connecting important residential and commercial areas with the Central Business District of Jaipur. Jaipur Metro Phase II will complement the existing corridor and significantly reduce traffic and improve overall urban mobility of the city. 

Also Read: Indian Railways sanctions Rs 200 Cr for OFC project across SE Railway

RITES, CONCOR enter into MoU for Logistics Infrastructure Consultancy 

Narendra Shah & Editorial Team
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RITES, CONCOR enter into MoU for Logistics Infrastructure Consultancy 

GURUGRAM (Metro Rail News): On June 29, 2026, RITES Ltd., a leading transport infrastructure consultancy and engineering company, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR), a Navratna Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Railways, to collaborate on Project Management Consultancy (PMC) services from concept to commissioning for the development and improvement of CONCOR’s terminals and establishments. The partnership will leverage RITES’ multidisciplinary engineering and project management expertise to support the planning, design, execution and supervision of infrastructure projects undertaken for CONCOR.

Under the MoU, CONCOR may entrust RITES, on a work-to-work basis, with Project Management Consultancy services from concept to commissioning. These services will include feasibility studies, preparation of Detailed Project Reports, detailed engineering, architectural and structural design, project supervision, quality assurance, and construction management etc. The collaboration will support the development and improvement of infrastructure including multimodal logistics parks, inland container depots, rail-linked terminals, warehouses, railway infrastructure, administrative buildings, roads, utilities and allied facilities. Through this partnership, both RITES and CONCOR aim to leverage their respective strengths to facilitate the timely execution of logistics infrastructure projects and contribute to the development of efficient multimodal logistics facilities in the country. 

About RITES Limited

RITES Limited is a Navratna Public Sector Enterprise and a leading player in the transport consultancy and engineering sector in India, having diversified services and geographical reach. The company has an experience spanning 52 years and undertaken projects in over 55 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, South America, and the Middle East region. 

-RITES Press Release

Also Read: Indian Railways sanctions Rs 200 Cr for OFC project across SE Railway

Indian Railways sanctions Rs 200 Cr for OFC project across SE Railway

Narendra Shah & Editorial Team
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Indian Railways sanctions Rs 200 Cr for OFC project across SE Railway

DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Indian Railways has approved a project at the cost of Rs 200 Crore to enhance the digital communication across the South Eastern Railways. The Ministry of Railways declared this through a press release, issued on Tuesday (June 30). The project will supply 48-Fibre Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) connectivity to four major divisions of South Eastern Railways. The overall coverage area will be 1696.2 Route Kilometers (RKm). 

Project at glance

The project has approved a total 1696.2 RKm of communication infrastructure to be integrated across the South Eastern Railways. The major divisions and their sanctioned work are:

DIVISIONSANCTIONED WORK
Adra Division545.4 RKm
Chakradharpur Division392.3 RKm
Kharagpur Division339.9 RKm
Ranchi Division418.6 RKm
Total1696.2 RKm

How will this OFC connectivity promote safe and modern railway operation?

The advanced fibre will improve railway operations with a strong high capacity communication network. The project will boost resilience and reliability of the railway communication system, carry out faster operational data transmission, and enhance coordination between stations, control offices and field units.

Moreover this project will facilitate modern railway technology, enhance operational efficiency and strengthen the digital structure for the future expansion in the South Eastern Railways. This approval will modernise the railway infrastructure by providing advanced transmission systems, giving way to secure, advanced and more efficient train operations.

Also Read: Indian Railways approves Rs 432 cr signalling upgrade for busy Eastern Railway routes

Indian Railways approves Rs 432 cr signalling upgrade for busy Eastern Railway routes

Narendra Shah & Editorial Team
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Indian Railways approves Rs 432 cr signalling upgrade for busy Eastern Railway routes

DELHI (Metro Rail News): Indian Railways has approved a Rs 432 crore project to update signalling systems on some of Eastern Railway’s busiest routes. The project will introduce modern Electronic Interlocking technology at 27 locations in the Asansol Division, enhancing safety and train operations.

The focus of the project is to replace older relay-based interlocking systems with Electronic Interlocking (EI).  It is a modern computer-based signalling technology. Indian Railways is planning to implement this work on High Density Network (HDN) and Highly Utilised Network (HUN) routes, where train traffic is high throughout the day.

Project Overview

DetailsInformation
Project CostRs 432 cr
Railway ZoneEastern Railway 
DivisionAsansol Division
Locations Covered27 stations/cabins and 1 IBS location
TechnologyElectronic Interlocking (EI)

Under the approved plan,Indian Railways will replace 28 existing relay-based interlocking installations. These include 27 Panel Interlocking (PI) and Route Relay Interlocking (RRI) systems  and 1 Intermediate Block Signalling (IBS) location. The new Electronic Interlocking system will manage train movements using computer-based technology, replacing outdated signalling equipment.

Importance of this upgrade

The Asansol Division handles significant passenger and freight traffic. As train movements continue to rise, Railways aims to strengthen the signalling system to enhance safety and efficiency. Electronic Interlocking offers several benefits:

  • Better reliability in train operations  
  • Faster fault detection and troubleshooting  
  • Easier maintenance  
  • Greater operational flexibility  
  • Improved safety standards  
  • Support for handling increased train traffic on busy routes  

Part of a larger modernisation plan

The project is part of Indian Railways’ broader effort to modernise signalling infrastructure on high-traffic corridors. The upgraded system will also support modern railway technologies such as:

  • Kavach train protection system  
  • Automatic Block Signalling (ABS)  
  • Centralised Traffic Control (CTC)  

Indian Railways expects these technologies to enhance train management and streamline operations across the network.

Also Read: V Somanna announced quadruple railway lines around 100-km of Bengaluru

V Somanna announced quadruple railway lines around 100-km of Bengaluru

Narendra Shah & Editorial Team
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V Somanna announced quadruple railway lines around 100-km of Bengaluru

BENGALURU (Metro Rail News): Shri. V Somanna, the Union Minister of State for Railways, announced on Monday (June 29) that quadruple railway lines will be developed between Bengaluru and cities located within a 100-km radius of Bengaluru, and between Bengaluru and Mysuru. This announcement came when the minister was inaugurating a road overbridge at Channapatna.

Shri Patil urged four-track railway corridors linking the capital city of Bengaluru with Tumakuru, Mysuru, Hindupura through Gauribidanur, and Kolar. Somanna said that the survey of the Bengaluru-Tumakuru quadruple railway line has been concluded, and the tender process will begin soon. It is expected that the project will be completed within 18-24 months.

Shri Somanna further announced that the Central government has decided to conduct a survey on the route connecting Bengaluru and the port city of Mangaluru for the proposed Bengaluru-Mangaluru quadruple railway line. Shri Patil also demanded for an improved connection between Bengaluru and Kolar, regarding this Somanna said that a direct route will be constructed by extending the current four-track railway line beyond Whitefield.

Shri Patil also proposed to enhance the connectivity of Bengaluru and Mangaluru through a parallel corridor of road and railway between Sakleshpur and Gundya. Shri Somanna endorsed the proposal and said that improved connectivity with the port city would be economically beneficial.

Also Read: Delhi Metro Rail Corp. Awarded for Operational Excellence by UITP

Delhi Metro Rail Corp. Awarded for Operational Excellence by UITP

Narendra Shah & Editorial Team
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Delhi Metro Rail Corp. Awarded for Operational Excellence by UITP

DELHI (Metro Rail News): Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) received the Achievement Award in the Operational Excellence category by UITP, the International Association of Public Transport.

The honour was awarded to DMRC during the UITP award ceremony in Brussels, Belgium, on June 23, 2026. Dr Amit Kumar Jain, the Director of Operations and Services and Mr Rajnish Rana, Additional General Manager, DMRC received the award.

The award recognizes DMRC’s accomplishments in advancing sustainable urban transport and smart door-to-door connectivity for travellers. DMRC renders this service through an integration of providing first/last mile connectivity, transmission of real-time information, and a smooth ticketing system. DMRC Sarthi App, an AI-integrated mobile application to access all the DMRC services, provides seamless support to connect the metro with first/last mile transport.

This integration allows commuters to have seamless connectivity from their origin location to the place of destination. Commuters can plan everything, including travel from their home to metro station, the metro ride and from the metro station to the place of destination. The commuters will have to pay a single integrated fare for the entire trip.

About Delhi Metro

Delhi Metro has driven a revolution in the city’s transportation system. It has expanded to a massive network covering approximately 416 km with 303 stations (including the Rapid Metro in Gurugram and the Noida-Greater Noida Corridor). The Delhi Metro carries over 7 million passengers a day on average. The Delhi Metro has transformed the city’s urban mobility with seamless connectivity and affordable yet advanced commutation.

Also Read: Anand Vihar Skywalk to Connect Namo Bharat, Delhi Metro, Railway Station & ISBT 

Indian Railways clears Rs 499 cr Mansi-Saharsa doubling track project

Narendra Shah & Editorial Team
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Indian Railways clears Rs 499 cr Mansi-Saharsa doubling track project

BIHAR (Metro Rail News): Indian Railways has approved a Rs 499 crore project to double the 44.40 km Mansi-Saharsa rail line in Bihar. The project will help reduce congestion on this busy route and improve the movement of both passenger and freight trains.

The Mansi-Saharsa section, which is part of East Central Railway, currently operates as a single-line route on the Mansi-Saraigarh corridor. Every day, this line handles a large number of passenger and freight trains, which makes it an important rail link in the region.

Project at a glance

Details Information 
ProjectMansi-Saharsa doubling
Length44.40 km
CostRs 499 cr
Railway ZoneEast Central Railway  

The existing route already carries heavy traffic. At present around 24 pairs of passenger trains run on this section every day. The route also transports several important commodities, which includes – wheat, maize, ballast, boiled rice, cement, fertilisers, rice, salt, sand, stone and sugar.  Indian Railways data also shows that this section is operating beyond its ideal capacity. Line utilization has reached 108.11% and could rise to 119.34% by 2028-29 if extra capacity is not created.

Benefit of this doubling

The second track will allow more trains to run on this route and reduce delays caused by traffic congestion. The project will help:

  • In Improving train punctuality   
  • Increasing operational flexibility  
  • Reducing bottlenecks on the route  
  • Supporting future passenger growth  
  • And Strengthening freight movement across the region  

Once the project becomes operational, the route will be able to handle an additional 1.764 million tonnes of freight traffic each year. The added capacity will support the transportation of agricultural produce, construction materials, and other goods that move through this corridor.  

Supporting Bihar’s growing rail demand

The Mansi-Saharsa route plays an important role in connecting people and goods across north Bihar. With passenger numbers and freight traffic expected to grow further in the coming years, Railways has moved ahead with the doubling project to strengthen the corridor and improve overall efficiency.  

Also Read: Nagpur Metro: State funding crosses Rs 600 cr with allocation of Rs 30 cr for Phase-2

Nagpur Metro: State funding crosses Rs 600 cr with allocation of Rs 30 cr for Phase-2

Narendra Shah & Editorial Team
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Nagpur Metro: State funding crosses Rs 600 cr with allocation of Rs 30 cr for Phase-2

NAGPUR (Metro Rail News): The Maharashtra government has provided an additional Rs 30 crore for Nagpur Metro Phase-2. After this the total funding rose to Rs 607 crore. This new funding comes as construction, land acquisition, and expansion plans continue to progress.

The state government released these funds as part of its equity commitment under an agreement signed by the Centre, the Maharashtra government, and Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MahaMetro) in September 2023. Officials noted that the Urban Development Department sanctioned the latest Rs 30 crore from the state budget for 2026-27.

State contribution crosses Rs 600 crore

With this latest release, Maharashtra’s total contribution to Nagpur Metro Phase-2 has reached Rs 607 crore. This amount represents over 60% of the state’s total committed share of Rs 998.20 crore.

Funds released so far

YearAmount Released  
October 2023Rs 40 cr
2024Rs 100 cr and 60 cr
2025Rs 90 cr, 227 cr and 60 cr
2026Rs 30 crore
Total Rs 607 crore

The state still needs to release the remaining Rs 391.20 crore.

Nagpur Metro Project overview

Nagpur Metro Phase-2 plans to add a 43.8 km metro network with 32 stations across four corridors.

InformationDetails
Network Length43.8 km
Stations32
Estimated CostRs 6,708 crore
CorridorsKanhan, Hingna, MIDC ESR, and Transport Nagar  

Kanhan extension received approval

This recent funding comes right after Maharashtra’s cabinet infrastructure committee approved a 1.4 km extension of the Kamptee corridor beyond the Kanhan River to Kanhan town. The proposed extension:

  • Will cost around Rs 310 crore
  • Will increase the corridor length to about 14.4 km
  • It Will add one more station, bringing the total to 13 stations on the corridor
  • And it Will also push the overall project cost beyond Rs 7,000 crore

The proposal is now with the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) for final approval. MahaMetro is planning to start work after receiving clearance.

Land acquisition and construction progress

Land acquisition has also gained momentum. The project needed 9.04 hectares but the authorities have already acquired or processed more than half. MahaMetro has received permission to start work on nearly 80% of the needed land parcels. It also includes some defence land. Officials also indicated that they do not expect major land-related issues that would delay construction. Work has also progressed on several key structures across the corridors. Construction teams have:

  • Completed the first balanced cantilever span over Uppalwadi
  • Made progress on the structure over Pili Nadi on the Kamptee corridor
  • Advanced work on the Vena River crossing on the Hingna corridor
  • Continued development of the railway crossing structure on the Wardha Road-Butibori corridor

Some of these structures are already finished, while others are nearing completion.

Also Read: Maharashtra cabinet approves Rs 310 crore Nagpur Metro extension project

Patna Metro to extend till Malahipakri; inauguration on 2nd July

Narendra Shah & Editorial Team
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Patna Metro to extend till Malahipakri; inauguration on 2nd July

PATNA (Metro Rail News): Mr. Samrat Choudhary, the Chief Minister of Bihar, announced that the inauguration of the extended section of the Patna Metro Rail Project up to Malahipakri will be held on Sunday (2nd July). This announcement came after a meeting held at the Lok Sewak Awas, Patna. This extension will add two more stations to the operational Blue Line of the Patna Metro.

Earlier, the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) had conducted an inspection of the route on April 27, 2026. The stations to be included after this extension are: Khemnichak Metro Station and Malahipakri Metro Station.

CM’s directives to the Officials

In the meeting, the CM conducted a detailed review of the Patna Metro Project and laid out instructions to the officials. He emphasized that a clear timeline should be set for all the phases of the project and it should be ensured that the work is completed within the set down time. 

He further said that the quality of work must not be compromised. To ensure timely implementation, work at various sites should be accelerated simultaneously. The CM also directed the officials to ensure minimal inconvenience to the general public during the metro construction by executing an effective and comprehensive traffic management plan.

More about Patna Metro:

The Patna Metro Rail Project was approved in 2019, with two lines. The Line 1 (Red Line) covers ~16.86 km connecting Danapur Cantonment with Khemnichak while the Line 2 (Blue Line) covers ~14.56 km connecting Patna Junction to New ISBT. The metro presently operates on a 4.3-km route, covering three metro stations: New ISBT station, Zero Mile Station, and Bhootnath Station. The entire proposed stretch will expand the metro network to 32.5 km, covering 24 stations. 

Also Read: Western Railway invites bids for design consultancy of Sarkhej-Dholera rail corridor

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