Private firms to pay fines to Railways for delay or early arrival of trains: draft notification

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13/08/2020

Indian Railways — Image for representation.

New Delhi ( Metro Rail News ) – More than 20 private firms, including L&T Infrastructure Projects Development Limited, Bombardier, Alstom, Siemens and GMR, attended the pre-application meeting. The deadline for taking part in the bidding process is September 8.

The Railways said the private players will have to guarantee at least 95% punctuality. If trains are late or early, they will have to pay compensation to the Railways.

The Railways said that for every 1% reduction in the punctuality of a train from the guaranteed 95%, private operators will have to pay extra haulage charge worth 200 km of the train operation. The haulage charge is Rs 512 per km for all private trains. Again, if a train arrives at the destination at least 10 minutes in advance, the private firm will pay the Railways extra haulage charges for 10 km. However, if a train loses 1% punctuality in a year for reasons attributable to the Railways, the latter will pay the private company damages equal to 50 km of haulage charges.

But, if trains are delayed due to reasons beyond the control of both the Railways and the private player, no one will pay anyone any amount.

The Railways will depute representatives to the offices of the private firms to ensure that they are reporting their earnings “honestly and faithfully”. If actual revenue is found to be more than 1 per cent of what is reported, the private firm will pay 10 times the difference thereof as damages to Railways.

Some of the features specified by the Railways include electronic sliding doors, Braille signages, passenger surveillance system and information and destination boards.

Below are the features mentioned by Railways to the private players:

The trains would provide noise-free travel to passengers and be capable of running at a speed of 160 km/hr.
Trains should have emergency brake which can bring them to a standstill in less than 1,250 minutes when travelling at 160 kmph.
The trains should have a life of 35 years.
Each coach shall have a minimum of four electrically-powered, plug type doors, two on each side. The door mechanism shall have a safety provision whereby the train shall not start unless all doors have been closed and electrically locked. Provision shall be made for passengers to open doors to permit evacuation from a stopped train in an emergency.
All windows shall be provided with double-glazed safety glass.
Passenger emergency signs shall also be embossed in Braille signages.
Emergency buttons and talk-back phones shall be located near all the doors and gangways.
Provision shall be there for a voice recording of the conversations with GPS stamping.
A passenger information system shall provide automatic announcement and the display of destination information throughout the train in Hindi, English and regional languages.
The passenger coach surveillance system will have close circuit television network, surveillance cameras and other accessories.
Each sitting car of train shall be provided with a minimum of six surveillance cameras to cover the passenger area.
For a sleeper train, each car shall be provided with two surveillance cameras at an appropriate location to cover the entire corridor.

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Two may be sacked, two already demoted for the truck mishap on tracks in Mumbai

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M K Rai

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13/08/2020

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MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): It is being heard through sources that a probe has recommended a major penalty charge sheet against two officials and the minor penalty against two other Western Railway officials following a freak accident in which a lorry dashed Bandra Terminus-Amritsar Paschim Express on July 20.

There was no major damage to the train and it did not lead to an incident. Four railway personnel, including station superintendent B V Samant and Vinod Dalvi, pointsman Bharat Solanki and traffic inspector M S Shaikh, were suspended.
Sources said, “Samant and Solanki were recommended for a major penalty charge-sheet, while the other two will be served minor penalty charge-sheets as the inquiry found procedural lapses in the handling of the opening and closing of the gate through which the truck had entered.”

A departmental inquiry will be completed within 90 days, after which the officials will be served punishment. The major penalty includes maximum punishment of removal from service, while a minor penalty can be a demotion.

The driver of the truck, of a railway contractor, which was carrying construction material, was arrested under the Indian Railways Act for negligence and endangering the safety of passengers.

The truck entered the railway boundary through an opening which was not a thoroughfare. It tried to venture too close to the fifth line along which the train was passing. The driver tried to manoeuvre but he could not move the vehicle to safety in time, leading to the collision. The rear of the vehicle was badly damaged.

The locomotive too suffered minor dents but there was no injury to anyone. The locomotive was replaced and the train left Borivli at 2.35 pm on the day of the incident.

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Britain train derailment: Three dead and seven hospitalised after an incident in Aberdeenshire

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M K Rai

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13/08/2020

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London (Metro Rail News): Three people have died with seven others injured in a train accident in Britain. The injured were taken to hospital after a ScotRail passenger train derailed near Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, today. While formal identification is yet to take place, the driver of the train is believed to have died.

British Transport Police have said three people were pronounced dead at the scene and six more have been taken to hospital to be treated for injuries, which are not believed to be serious.

Police say the driver’s family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained family liaison officers.

BTP chief superintendent Eddie Wylie said: “This is a tragic incident and first and foremost our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have very sadly died this morning.”

“I would like to reassure the public that this was not a busy service and from CCTV inquiries and witness statements we believe all passengers have been accounted for” He said.

Rail industry sources said the suspected cause of the incident is a landslip, following heavy rain in the area overnight.

The train involved was the 06.38 Aberdeen to Stonehaven, made up of a locomotive and four carriages.

It is understood that the locomotive and three carriages derailed, and slid down an embankment.

Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister of Britain said he was “saddened to learn of the very serious incident in Aberdeenshire” and thanked emergency services at the scene.

Photos show at least seven ambulances, an air ambulance and police in attendance, and smoke rising from the train.

Emergency services were called just before 10am and around 30 emergency service vehicles are now reportedly at the scene.

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Joka-Esplanade to be India’s first Metro to run on indigenous rails

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M K Rai

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13/08/2020

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Kolkata (Metro Rail News): Joka-Esplanade Metro will be India’s first Metro to run on the indigenously manufactured rail. The first lot of the rails reached Joka depot on Monday. Hitherto, all the Metros in India have been running on imported rails as Indian steel companies did not produce these head hardened (HH) rails, which are used for high-speed trains (>250 kmph), heavy traffic of varying axle loads for freights and Metro rail.

The 1080 grade HH rails are manufactured using an additional heat treatment. So far, these rails were used to be imported from Japan and Europe. Besides, supply issues from the foreign shores under the current situation, the manufacturing of HH rails is a move towards self-reliance. Now 20% of total procurement needs to be sourced indigenously.

According to a senior Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) official, the executing agency of Joka-Esplanade Metro, following the Railway Board’s policy of indigenization and economy in purchase and procurement, RVNL became the first company to place order with Jindal Steel & Power Ltd (JSPL), which was selected through a rigorous bidding process.

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Can the existing tracks handle high-speed trains! Southern Railways conducts trials

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M K Rai

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13/08/2020

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Chennai ( Metro Rail News ) – In a recent, Southern Railway has started to assess railway tracks to find out if they are fit for operating trains that will run at speeds above 130kmph.

A three-coach train fitted with oscillation monitoring system (OMS) sensors to check swaying motion of coaches and strength of tracks was run at high speed between Chennai Central and Gudur on Tuesday. The test run will be done on Chennai-Arakonam-Renigunta stretch on Wednesday.

“The test train touched 135kmph on Tuesday. Similar runs will be done a few times this month on these two routes and probably on other major routes. The shutdown and the suspension of train services have come in handy,” said an official. The series of tests will check the impact on coaches and tracks when the train is run at speeds of up to 143kmph.
The sensor will check the extent of vertical jolt and lateral acceleration of the coaches so that riding comfort can be gauged and improved by making changes and repairs to the tracks.

At present, the tracks can handle trains that run at 110kmph. “When changes, if any, are made, this can be increased to 135kmph without compromising the riding comfort of passengers,” said an official was stated saying. He said the OCM test was being done to find out the fitness of tracks.

The tests assume importance, as the stretches selected, are two main routes taken by express trains to western and northern destinations from the city. Private trains, which are expected to start running in two to three years, are expected to run on these routes. Railways are also looking at a possibility to run semi high-speed trains on Chennai-Bengaluru route.

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Work Starts on First Section of Verona Padua High-Speed Railway

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M K Rai

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13/08/2020

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Centre conveys to the state government of Kerala on the inability to bear loan for Silverline train project — Image Representation Only

VERONA, ITALY (Metro Rail News): Webuild Group led consortium IRICAV 2 by the has today signed a contract worth a total of about EUR 2.5 billion to start work on the first section of a high-speed & high-capacity railway being developed between Verona and Padua and commissioned by Rete Ferroviaria Italiana.

The signing comes as the Group forges ahead with Progetto Italia, a strategy to consolidate and strengthen Italy’s infrastructure sector. The Group owns 83% of the consortium with Webuild at 45.44%, Astaldi at 37.49% and Hitachi Rail STS. The section, which will comprise a total investment of EUR 2.7 billion by RFI with a completion date of 2027, will run for 44.2 kilometres between Verona and Bivio Vicenza, crossing 13 municipalities. By quadrupling the existing railway, it will improve the quality of the train service and strengthen its links to a European network, helping reduce the impact on the environment as well as the number of road accidents.

The project, worth a total of EUR 2.47 billion, will see work start immediately on a EUR 874 million part of the first section. The other EUR 1.59 billion for the second part of the section will be financed within 12 months. The investment being made on the entire length of the railway between Verona and Padua is estimated at EUR 4.8 billion, EUR 4.2 billion of which is available to the general contractor. It represents an important link across the country’s northeast. It also serves as an example of how infrastructure can bring employment and foster economic revival. Work on the first section is to create about 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

The project, part of the high-speed/high-capacity railway between Milan and Venice, will belong to the Mediterranean Corridor that will link Spain and Ukraine. One of the strategic trans-European transport corridors, the so-called TEN-T core network, it will connect southwestern European countries with countries to the east. The Corridor will support traffic between Europe and Asia. In Europe, meanwhile, it will handle traffic between the southern and eastern regions. With the addition of the line between Milan and Venice to the national network, 75% of the Italian population will have access to high-speed rail service.

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NGT says EIA must before construction of commercial complex above Bhikaji Cama Place metro station

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M K Rai

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13/08/2020

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NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): National Green Tribunal has said Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and carrying capacity studies must be carried out before construction above the Bhikaji Cama Place metro station here by DMRC. The green panel took note of a report filed by Principal Chief Conservator of Forest which said inspection at the metro station at Bhikaji Cama Place was conducted along with the officers of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

According to the report, during the site visit, DMRC presented Traffic Impact Assessment study for the proposed commercial development on the metro station at Bhikaji Cama Place. As per the study, there will be an increment in the traffic load on the roads around the metro station and additional Project Development complex will generate insignificant traffic during peak hours.

“Adjacent to this project site, on the Northern side the low-density residential settlement for the Government Employees at ‘Netaji Nagar’ is being developed as a high-density residential colony under the scheme of Ministry of Urban Development, which will also add to the vehicular and human population in this area,” the report said. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said in view of the findings it is necessary that before the proposed constructions are carried out, Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and carrying capacity studies must be conducted.

The concept of “carrying capacity” addresses the question as to how many people can be permitted into any area without the risk of degrading the environment there.
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The tribunal said that the study is conducted by a committee comprising Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), IIT, Delhi and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). “CPCB will be the nodal agency for compliance. The Committee may take into account any other study on the subject and furnish a report within three months by e-mail,” the bench was reported to have said.

The NGT had earlier ordered status quo on the construction of a commercial complex above Bhikaji Cama Place metro station after a plea alleged that it is a designated park as per the Delhi Master Plan, 2021. The tribunal’s order came on a plea filed by “residents of Delhi through senior citizen Shobha Aggarwal” against the alleged illegal construction of the commercial complex above the metro station by the DMRC.

The plea, filed through advocate Saliq Shafique, said the area, which is spread over approximately a hectare, is designated as a park as per the Delhi Master Plan, 2021, and located on Sudhir Tyagi Marg in Netaji Nagar here. According to the plea, the DMRC in 2012 proposed construction of an underground metro station at Bhikaji Cama Place for expansion of its Phase III of MRTS (Majlis Park to Shiv Vihar) Project.

The metro station was proposed to be built underground. It was designed to be constructed under the district park and the first parcel of land was transferred on a temporary basis for easing the construction of the metro station, it said.

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Indian Railways to continue operating the special train services

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M K Rai

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13/08/2020

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NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): In a big development amid the rising COVID-19 cases in the country, the Indian Railways has clarified that no new circular has been issued on the suspension of train services until September 30 which was being circulated on different social media platforms.

In a tweet, the Railways clarified that Special Mail Express trains shall continue to run. It was because of numerous posts on different social media platforms which stated that the Railways has cancelled all regular trains till September 30. These posts were picked up by many news outlets which further forced the Indian Railways to clarify the matter via its Twitter handle.

“Some section of media is reporting that Railways has cancelled all regular trains till 30th September. This is not correct. No new circular has been issued by Ministry of Railways” said one official.
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The Railways has clarified on the matter that the different 230 special Mail Express trains shall continue to run. The Railways had earlier said it may experience a loss of Rs 35,000 crore due to suspension of passenger services in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is not going to start normal operation keeping in mind the health safety concerns created by the ongoing pandemic.

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DMRC to upgrade old trains with new features

By

M K Rai

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12/08/2020

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NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is all set to upgrade its almost two decades old, first train sets that were manufactured in South Korea. The trains will be refurbished and will now be equipped with stretched LCD screens with dynamic route maps, state-of-the-art CCTV cameras, sockets and USB ports for phone and laptop charging as well as fire and smoke detection system that can be monitored from the driver’s cabin through touch screens. Apart from these facilities, the trains will also get fresh interiors as well as new flooring.

The DMRC is likely to completely overhaul a total of 280 coaches that were initially built in South Korea and later in India for its Phase I project. These trains are mostly deployed on Red Line and the Blue Line. It is being said that the revamp will extend the efficiency of these trains for 15 more years. For each train set, around Rs 6 crore will be spent and the upgradation of these trains will be carried out in Shastri Park, Yamuna Bank, and Najafgarh depots of Delhi Metro.

The flooring of these old coaches will be replaced with non-skid, composite board with noise, vibration, and heat insulation. The coaches will be provided with stretched LCD screens that will display dynamic route maps and will be interfaced with a public announcement system. Also, charging sockets and USB ports with LED indicators will be fitted inside the coaches. Also, CCTV cameras with a minimum recording capacity of 15 days will be provided.

“The trains will be provided with fire and smoke detection systems.
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Live information could be accessed from the driver’s desk from fire and smoke detection systems along with alarm sounders. Moreover, the exact location of a fire would be pinpointed with the help of cutting-edge detectors” said one official.

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Mangala Express diverted via Pune till August 20

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M K Rai

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12/08/2020

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PUNE/NASHIK (Metro Rail News): The Hazrat Nizamuddin-Ernakulam Mangala Express has been diverted via Pune due to a crack developing in a tunnel near Pernem railway station in Goa.

According to an official from Bhusawal division, the 02618-Up Hazrat Nizamuddin-Ernakulam Mangala Express — passing through Bhusawal, Nashik, Kalyan, Panvel and forward through the Konkan route including Ratnagiri before reaching Goa and proceed to its destination — has now been diverted from Panvel towards Pune, Miraj, Londa before reaching Madgaon in Goa for its future course of the journey.

“A crack has developed in one of the tunnels between Madurai Pernem Railway stations of Konkan Railway in Goa. Hence, trains on this route have been stopped at least till August 20,” the official said.

Similarly, The 02617-Down Ernakulam-Hazrat Nizamuddin Mangala Express train will run from Ernakulam to Madgaon and thereafter be diverted towards Londa, Miraj, Pune before reaching Panvel and taking its regular course of journey towards Kalyan, Nashik, Bhusawal and Delhi.

“The diversion of the train has been announced with immediate effect till August 20,” he said, adding that the people who have booked the tickets for the train on intermediate railway stations should take the necessary action.

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