As most of the economic activities have been opened up, it’s time to resume metro services

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08/08/2020

The DC-09 Underground Work for Delhi Metro Phase 4 was won by the Afcons — Image Source: DMRC

The Unlock – 3 guidelines have opened up almost a large part of economic activities to restart functioning. The bus services are already operating in cities like Delhi. Mumbai has around 700 local trains on its fleet for travel of essential service providers. The Railways is already running special trains to cater to the needs of the people whose movement is necessary or urgent.
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However, metro services have not yet resumed their services.

The government has already announced that it will not get-go for another lockdown and amid the rising cases of Coronavirus infections, it is emphasizing to boost up economic activities as the economy of the nation is experiencing a sharp decline and the GDP is going to be in the negative figure according to different rating agencies.

It is obvious that once the economic activities start and factories open up, the movement of people in large numbers starts. With this, comes the demand for Public Transport as most of these people who work either in offices or factories earn such a little amount that they can’t maintain private vehicles. There may be some other reasons too for not commuting through private vehicles.

These kinds of people are now forced to make their own arrangements to reach their workplaces as the public transport systems have been critically regulated by the government during the pandemic. If a worker earns an amount of Rs 15k a month and is forced to travel through commercial vehicles, he/she will not have much amount left at the end of the month.

The government must ensure that the efficient mobility services are provided to people who are facing problems today to reach their workplaces. The best way to handle the situation is to open up the wide network of metros and sub urban trains along with bus services with some restrictions. If the government wants to go on with unlocking the things, then why to impose a locked on the metro services. The lockdown has already created a lot of problems for the Metro Authorities and they are even struggling to pay off their loan installments. The government on the other hand has not been so kind to the metro authoities in terms of economic help.

The DMRC has recently rejected help from the centre as it suggested the DMRC to seek Delhi government’s aid to pay the loans. The Delhi government is already experiencing money crunch and it is unlikely to help the DMRC on an urgent basis. The same story goes on with Mumbai Metro, Bangaluru Metro, Kolkata Metro, Chennai Metro etc. As the metro corporations suffer from a huge loss and the public on other hand is badly needed the public transport systems to reach to their workplaces, the government must address the problem and issue guidelines to resume metro services.

The European nations are already running their metros since May itself and some of them even operated in the most critical times. If the European nations can run metro services with restrictions then why not India? The question has a simple answer if we look into these developments around the world.

We bring here the stories of four nations of Europe who have started metro services for more than two months. Let’s have a look into these happenings :-

France: Paris Metro

Five million passengers used to ride the metro every day in France’s capital, for a total of more than 10 million journeys taken in a day.

In phase two of its lockdown easing, France gradually resumed metro services but the authoities are still encouraging Parisians to limit their trips to what is strictly necessary and if possible to choose alternatives such as bicycles or private taxis. About 1.5 million to 2 million journeys are currently being taken daily, so at maximum only a fifth of the number of journeys that was the norm before the pandemic.

Some stations remain closed and the Paris Metro service is ran at 75 percent capacity. French authorities are still aiming to get the

The number of passengers allowed on the metro has been drastically reduced: no more than 180 passengers are accepted on the trains, for a total of 32 passengers per carriage. In normal times, the average number of total passengers was around 700 people with masks being mandatory along with use of sanitizers. The metro premises as well as the rolling stock get sanitized on a regular basis.

Germany – Berlin U-Bahn

Before the pandemic, around 3 million journeys were taken across Berlin’s metro system (including subways, trams and buses but excluding the overground – S-Bahn and regional trains) every day.

Germany has been one of the first countries to reopen services after weeks of lockdown, but despite the Berlin metro system running at 100 percent capacity, the number of passengers remains low – around 35 to 40 percent of regular demand.

Passengers are asked to keep a 1.5-meter distance and encouraged to make use of the entire length of the vehicles, together with avoiding journeys during rush hour whenever possible.

London Underground

Transport for London (TfL) has been hit badly by the pandemic, with a significant reduction in workforce, with staff falling ill or self-isolating. But it has kept operating 60 percent of its Tube services during the worst of the crisis and is now operating 75 percent of services.

Although people in the UK are still urged to avoid using public transport as much as possible unless they are key workers. The metro services however remain to be operational in the United Kingdom.

Italy: Milan Metro

On Monday 18 May, Milan started reopened its metro system at 25 per cent capacity, with passengers all having to wear face masks and gloves on board.

In 36 stations, a system is in place to automatically count passengers as they pass ticket barriers – an additional service beside the checks by personnel on site – that will notify staff if the maximum capacity of the train has been reached.

The city had also deployed police officers in the most frequented metro stations to enforce social distancing norms among the passengers. Red signs show people where they should stand on the platform to keep a safe distance from others; in carriages, passengers should keep a one-meter distance.

Now, it’s time for India to evaluate the things and reopen metro services with some restrictions. Reducing the fleet strength along with strict measures taken to enforce the social distancing norms will help a lot. The regular sanitization of the rolling stock and metro premises will help to contain the virus transmission. The authorities may make hand gloves compulsory for the riders along with masks and sanitizers.

The Metro Rail News has been receiving numerous request from the commuters to reach their concern about the resumption of the metro services. The authorities shall plan the operation of metro networks with the enforcement of “New Normal” guidelines so that public transport systems resume. It is the need of the hour to plan the resumption as we all know, we will have to adapt to the new lifestyle as Coronavirus will take time to finally go away.

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Srinagar and Jammu may get metro services by 2024

By

M K Rai

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08/08/2020

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Jammu and Kashmir metro projects are likely to start soon — Image Representation Only

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): A big news is coming about the Kashmir valley. Union minister Jitendra Singh said today that the light transit metro train service in Srinagar and Jammu is expected to be ready by 2024. He said that the metro project for the two cities would cost around Rs 10,599 crore and the railway consultancy firm RITES Limited has already submitted the final detailed project reports and the metro project is likely to be developed by the year 2024. It is one of the major moves of the central government after scrapping article 370.

“Once the projects are completed, Srinagar and Jammu will become the first two non-major cities in the country where the rapid transport network will be functional”, said Mr. Singh, the Union minister for the PMO. He further told that the significance of the projects can be understood from the fact that the first train to reach Jammu and Kashmir had taken more than two decades after Independence and the first railway station came up in Jammu only in the 1970s.

But the Modi government is moving quickly to introduce the metro train projects in a short span of time and it will be cost-effective and a means of sustainable public transport, he said. Singh, who hails from Jammu and Kashmir, said the light metro transit system is proposed to run 17 hours a day throughout the year in Jammu, whereas in Srinagar, it will run 17 hours daily during summers but 14 hours during winters.

The minister said the metro rail lines will have only elevated corridors as the underground tunnels were not found feasible in Jammu and Kashmir.

The metro train service in Jammu will have its first corridor from Bantalab to Bari Brahmana and in Srinagar, it will be from Indira Nagar to HMT station, he said. Mr. Singh said that the elevated metro system will not only facilitate people but also have a positive impact on the economy and the quality of life. According to the DPRs, he said, the metro coaches will be modern, lightweight and made from stainless steel and aluminium, with an air-conditioning system. Singh also said it is a matter of pride that the highest railway bridge of the world is coming up on river Chenab in Reasi district and is likely to be completed next year.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be approached for the formal inauguration of this prestigious project. He said after some initial issues the work on railway line to connect the Kashmir valley is in full swing and it is expected that by 2022, Srinagar and other parts of the valley will be connected with the rest of India directly by train

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Maha Metro to host a webinar for exploring business opportunities in Nagpur Metro

By

M K Rai

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08/08/2020

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NAGPUR (Metro Rail News): The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha Metro) has taken an initiative to organise a webinar for discussing the different prospects of business opportunities in Nagpur with a partnership with The indus Entrepreneurs (TiE). The Metro Corporation has decided to jointly organise the webinar session on “Business Opportunities with Nagpur Metro”, on 14th August 2020. The webinar will dwell upon the range of business opportunities with Maha Metro Nagpur and it will commence on 14th August at 4 PM, one official said in a conversation with Metro Rail News. He further said that it would be complimentary for all the participants.

“Managing Director of Maharashtra Metro, Dr. Brijeshji Dixit emphasizes on significant revenue share from Non-Farebox. There is a major share of Non-fare box revenue to make Metro self-sustainable as per the visionary of Maha metro MD and which was practically observed by metros across the Globe. Accordingly, special designs, state of the art structures and facilities were planned, designed and implemented from inception”, the official said.

“In these hard times of the pandemic, the pace of Maha Metro is still geared up to give a boost to the various local, National and International businesses by increasing awareness of various opportunities available for the businesses and enhance branding”, the managing director said.

Individuals and organizations from Nagpur, Wardha Yavatmal, Amravati, Pune, Mumbai, Raipur and even from foreign locations like London, US, Dubai, Singapore and other countries are expected to join the webinar according to the official.

AS envisaged by Dr Brijeshji Dixit, MD Maha metro, 60% revenue of company would be from Non fare box. The method of generation of Non fare box revenue by Maha metro as planned and implemented would be discussed in the webinar. The webinar is part of the exercise to increase awareness and boost Non-Fair Box Revenue collections. The various components of Non-Fair Box Revenue include Property Development (PD), Semi-Naming of Metro Stations, Advertising-related provisions to name a few.

“Maha Metro has already started earning Non fare box revenue from various sources and had taken number of steps in that direction. Maha metro has leased out business spaces to various companies at Airport, Institute of Engineers Metro Stations. The Metro train completely wrapped with advertisement and Branding of Bank of Maharashtra are plying on Reach 3. Advertising Agency rights of few metro stations are allotted and many other revenues have started flowing. Also with this the limited sources with Metro are exhausting and we want that the same should be known to the masses to avail the benefit” said a statement by the Maha Metro.

The host of entrepreneurs, start-up owners, budding entrepreneurand professionals would be the participants of the webinar. The webinar will begin with a presentation from team Maha Metro.
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The presentation will give details of Maha Metro and status of the project, Non fare box revenue sources of Maha Metro and business opportunities with Maha metro like Property business spaces, kiosks availability, PD Spaces, branding and marketing opportunities, Food joint junction in metro stations and also the outline of the allotment process.

The question answer session will be moderated by the TiE president Mr. Nitin Sachdeva.

“With COVID pandemic prevalent all around, this webinar is going to offer a great opportunity to potential investors to evaluate business opportunities available with Maha Metro. Maha Metro urges entrepreneurs and businessmen to take advantage of the webinar and boost their business” said Mr. Dixit

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Bhopal metro to be operational by 2023

By

M K Rai

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07/08/2020

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Bhopal Metro Rail excavat near Gurudev Gupta intersection

Bhopal ( Metro Rail News ) – Urban Development and Housing Minister Bhupendra Singh said that target should be fixed to start metro rail in Bhopal and Indore before the set target August 2023. The time limit should be fixed to review all works and work should be done accordingly.

Bhupendra Singh was reviewing the metro rail work on Thursday. He asked Principal Secretary of Department in concern to look into the work at a personal level so that works could be completed timely. In the meeting, a presentation was given regarding the work of metro rail. As far as Bhopal Metro Rail is concerned then work to construct pillar has been started from AIIMS. So far, 80 pillars have been constructed.

The cost of Bhopal Metro Rail has pegged at Rs 6,941 crore while Indore Metro Rail project will cost Rs 7,580 crore. Bhupendra Singh directed to invite remaining tender related to project as early as possible. He also instructed to start work of metro rail in Indore as well. Apart from this, he also instructed to accelerate the works of the mini smart city. He expressed resentment on slow work progress.

He asked Commissioner, Urban Administration to give the report within in a week regarding problems coming in completing mini smart city work. He asked to change the agency where work is not happening. Notably, thirteen mini smart cities have been approved in State.

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Govt plans to roll out Metro rail in Bhopal & Indore by August 2023

By

M K Rai

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07/08/2020

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Bhopal (Metro Rail News): Bhupendra Singh who heads the state’s urban transport Ministry on Thursday was quoted saying that the most awaited metro rail projects in Indore and Bhopal are likely to be completed by August 2023.
During a meeting of Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation, Singh asked officials to set a target to roll out Metro rail in Bhopal and Indore before the scheduled time of August 2023. “Set a time limit for all tasks, and work accordingly,” he was stated saying.

He further said that the UAD principal secretary should ensure that all the Metro-related work is completed within the set time-frame.
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The minister also witnessed a presentation with detailed information regarding the Bhopal and Indore Metro projects during the meeting.

The work for setting up AIIMS Piller for Bhopal Metro had started in 2019. So far, 80 pillars have been built in the Bhopal metro project. Phase one of the project in Bhopal is estimated to cost Rs 6, 941 crores, while the Indore metro project is likely to cost about Rs 7,580 crore.

Singh said that the remaining tenders for the work related to the project should be issued soon. He asked officials to start construction work in Indore immediately.

During the meeting, Singh directed officials to accelerate pan-city smart city operations. Singh said that smart cities should speed up their work. He expressed displeasure at the tardy pace of the work so far. Singh instructed the urban administration development commissioner to submit a report in a week regarding the difficulties being faced in completing the works of the smart city. Altogether 13 mini smart cities have been approved in the state.

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Centre asks DMRC for Delhi govt’s help to repay loans

By

M K Rai

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07/08/2020

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New Delhi (Metro Rail News) – The Union Ministry of Urban and Housing Affairs (MoHUA) has asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to approach the Delhi government for financial aid for repayment of its loan instalments this year as non-operation of the metro network due to pandemic has reduced the revenue of the corporation. The DMRC is reported to have taken a soft loan of Rs 35,198 crore for construction work from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

With Metro shut since March 22 due to the Coronavirus pandemic, DMRC has suffered a revenue loss of about Rs 1,300 crore. Last month, it had written to the Centre, requesting it to defer the payment to next year.

Anuj Dayal, executive director, corporate communication, DMRC, was quoted saying that, “We have received such a communication from the ministry recently. The same is being examined and processed”. The DMRC is yet to approach the Delhi government for further progress in the matter.

DMRC has repaid Rs 3,337 crore of the loan to JICA. According to another DMRC official, Metro has to pay Rs 1242.83 crore as instalment for the financial year 2020-21 as per different media reports. However, a detailed figure from the DMRC about the matter is awaited.

According to a news report, “The Metro has paid Rs 79.19 crore on account of interest for this financial year and the balance liability of Rs 1163.
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64 crore is yet to be paid.”

The loan has been granted at a concessional rate of interest, varying from 1.2% to 2.3%, and has to be repaid in 30 years with a moratorium period of 10 years.

The Metro, which has a network of 389km with 285 stations, earns nearly Rs 3,600 crore from fare and by renting out its space at stations to commercial establishments.

Commercial establishments operating at metro stations had written to the DMRC to defer rental payments as there had been no business since March.

There are about 400 shops apart from property development at stations such as Nehru Place and HUDA City Centre, etc., which attracts a lot of crowd due to the restaurants. The DMRC is in the process of decision making. However, it has not initiated the process to reach out to the Delhi Government according to sources in the DMRC.

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Delhi Metro to record new heights in Phase-IV

By

M K Rai

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07/08/2020

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NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News) – In its plan for further expansion across the national capital aside, the Phase IV project of the Delhi Metro is set to take the network to greater heights — literally. At the proposed Haiderpur Badli Mor section of the upcoming 28.92-km-long Janakpuri West-RK Ashram Marg corridor, trains will pass at a height of 28 metres — taller than an eight-storey building according to the country’s largest metro network.

The DMRC with a huge metro network across the National Capital Region (NCR), it is planning to make the corridor as an extension of the Janakpuri West to Noida Botanical Garden Magenta Line. The other two lines of Phase IV are Aerocity-Tughlaqbad (20.2 km) and Maujpur-Majlis Park (12.5 km). The Haiderpur Badli Mor platform will also be the highest of the network at 23.5 metres.

The current highest peak of the 389-km-long operational network of DMRC is at Dhaula Kuan, where trains pass through a 23.6-metre high section. Till 2017, a point near Karkardooma station at 19 metres used to be the peak. A Metro official said that the elevation of the point is due to the fact that it will be directly above the operational Yellow Line, which connects Samaypur Badli with Gurgaon’s Huda City Centre. The average height of the elevated section of the corridor will be 10 metres.

“However, the height of the piers will be 20 metres at Madhuban Chowk (crossing with Yellow Line) and 25 metres at Haiderpur Badli Mor where this line will again cross over Yellow Line. At Haiderpur Badli Mor, the rail level is going to be the highest at 28 metres,” DMRC was quoted saying in an official statement.

The platform of the Haiderpur Badli Mor station is coming up above the operational section, which handles passengers using the Yellow Line. Consequently, the new section will be at a height of 23.5 metres, nearly as high as the Metro’s current peak point at Dhaula Kuan.
The operational highest platform, however, is at Mayur Vihar Phase I. The Pink Line section of the station, which also falls on the Blue Line, is at a height of 22 metres.
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Speaking about the challenges in vertical expansion, the DMRC’s engineers are planning a detailed plan to execute the project. “Construction of the pier and the subsequent launching of the spans will be done without impacting operations on the Yellow Line, which is one of Delhi Metro’s busiest corridors,” an official was quoted saying by a media agency.

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Eight long-distance trains connecting Kerala via Konkan route get diverted after landslide

By

M K Rai

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07/08/2020

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Indian Railways — Image for representation.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (Metro Rail News): After Heavy rains and landslide occurred in the state, the rail route along the Konkan has been damaged provoking the railways to divert eight long-distance trains connecting Kerala via Pune which use to run through this route.

The wall inside the Pernem tunnel between Pernem and Madure stations has collapsed due to the landslide as well as per the official sources. The railways have temporarily suspended rail services along the route.

The railways has provided a list of following trains whose operation has been affected due to the problem. They are :-

Train no 02617 and 02618 Ernakulam Jn – Hazrat Nizamuddin daily super fast diverted till August 20
Train no 06346 and 06345 Thiruvananthapuram Central – Lokmanya Tilak Terminus daily special train diverted till August 20
Train no 02432 New Delhi – Thiruvananthapuram Central Rajdhani super fast triple weekly special train diverted on August 9, 11, 12, 16 and 18
Train no 02431 New Delhi – Thiruvananthapuram Central Rajdhani super fast triple weekly special train diverted on August 11, 13, 14, 18
Train no 02284 Hazrat Nizamuddin – Ernakulam Jn Duronto weekly special train diverted on August 8 and 15
Train no 02283 Hazrat Nizamuddin – Ernakulam Jn Duronto weekly special train diverted on August 11 and 18

The passengers are suggested to call 022-27587939, 10722 for any queries or problems.

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KMRC starts building shaft to pull out TBMs

By

M K Rai

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07/08/2020

0

KOLKATA (Metro Rail News) – The construction of the shaft for retrieving the two giant tunnel borers for the East-West Metro corridor at Durga Pithuri Lane, off Bowbazar, has been started by Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC). It will take six months to complete the shaft as per recent media reports.

This is where the first tunnel boring machine Chundi, which was digging the westbound tunnel, hit an aquifer on August 31, last year, and is now lying defunct 16m below the ground. A 300m radius around the spot came to be known as the cave-in zone ever since. Several houses had collapsed when Chundi hit the sand aquifer. Water gushed into the tunnel, triggering large-scale subsidence.

The subsidence zone, strengthened with elaborate grouting, has now become an open space since 27 damaged houses in the area either fell or were razed for safety reasons. The retrieval shaft is being built in this open space to pull out both the machines, which were moving from Esplanade to Sealdah for the last leg of 2.5km East-West Metro tunnelling.

Rig machines from Austria have been roped in to build piles for the 22m deep retrieval shaft, 40m in length and 15m wide. The piles will be built for 130 piers of the retrieval shaft being dug directly on the line of the westbound tunnel.
Cutting the damaged TBM (Chundi) into pieces will be a challenge because its 9m-wide front shield is covered with concrete that was poured into seal the water leakage.

Along with the front shield, the first few metres of the concrete rings will also be pulled out of the shaft. And the wall created (in the tunnel) to prevent seepage of water will also be dismantled. A huge crane will be used to pull out the machine parts, each machine of which weighs around 300 tonnes. The second TBM, Urvi, building the east-bound tunnel, is now burrowing towards its destination, Sealdah station, from where it will make a U-turn and dig the rest of the affected tunnel and proceed back towards Durga Pituri Lane. There is a connection between the two tunnels in Sealdah. Urvi will U-turn through it.

Urvi should be able to reach Sealdah station by mid-September. It will be disintegrated inside a box at Sealdah station, reassembled and veered in the opposite direction, to Durga Pituri Lane and thus complete the underground link. By this time, the retrieval shaft will be ready. It would take a month to complete the retrieval of the two machines.
The 16km East-West Metro corridor will stretch between Salt Lake Sector V and Howrah Maidan and run under the Hooghly river.

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In Conversation with Mr. Sanjeev Sachdev, MD, Toshi Automatic Systems Pvt. Ltd.

By

Narendra Shah

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07/08/2020

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Mr. Sanjeev Sachdev MD, Toshi Automatic Systems Pvt. Ltd

Our Managing Editor, Mr. Narendra Shah interacted with Mr. Sanjeev Sachdev, the Managing Director at Toshi Automatic Systems Pvt Ltd. He discussed the key issues related to going fully digital in the faring system of Metro Networks and other public transport systems. Mr Sachdev shared his views and gave his opinion about the possibilities in the NCMC scheme in future. We present here the conversation:-

N.S. – How do you think the COVID is going to affect the public transport system and what are the ways to tackle the problems arising out of it?

S.S. – As COVID is affecting every Individual small as well as large businesses. Many people have lost their jobs which has created many problems including financials as well as social.

As most of the public transport systems are still not working or partially working thus millions of people are unable to reach their workplaces through public transport systems like Metro train which is termed as the backbone of the local transport system within the urban centres like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore etc.

Stopping the operations of Metro is not the right solution. In fact, it should operate with enhanced safety strict protocols like social distancing as well as uses of masks and sanitizers is needed. Sanitization of rolling stocks, stations, elevators etc. will help to avoid chances of getting an infection . A contactless ticketing and fare system including the use of metro cards, QR codes Etc. are needed in place of the existing RFID coins or paper tickets in order to avoid the spread of infection.

N.S. – What are the possible changes which we will experience once we go back to use the metros and other modes of Public transport. What do you think about it?

S.S. – As said above, public awareness is a must and protocols related to personal sanitization, sanitization of Stations along with making available common facilities at stations is need of the time. Contactless entry and exit from stations will also help to reduce chances of the spread of infections.

N.S. – The National Common Mobility Card scheme has been one of the ambitious projects of Mr. Narendra Modi led Central Government. How can the scheme benefit in going fully digital in the urban transport system especially in the metros?

S.S. – One of the biggest advantages of NCMC scheme will be binding the public mobility across the country with a single card. A single travel card can be used throughout all public transport systems like Metros, Regional Bus services, ferries etc. It will also minimize the need to buy local tickets or travel card for different cities making it a hassle-free affair to travel beyond the boundaries of a single city.

N.S. – How the new system and technology will affect Platform Screen doors and how do you think they can be managed effectively and efficiently?

S.S. – PSD or platform screen door is for the safety of the passenger at Metro & BRTS stations only.

It helps in creating a safety wall in between the passenger and the track or the road in case of BRTS to avoid accidents.

Because of the very high import cost of the PSD doors, the you may see Metros installing only 40-50% PSDs at stations as compare to 100% in BRTS because of the make in India since 2009-2010.

Indegeniously designed PSD doors for BRTS are quite successful and are being used in more than eight BRTS projects in India since 2009 but none of the Indian companies have been given the opportunity to do so for Metro systems.

Once developed locally under Make In India, the PSD doors for Metros will help in reducing the production cost as well as it will provide 100% safety to the passengers travelling in metro trains.

N.S. – Do we need to change the existing AFC gates if we move further towards implementing the NCMC scheme in the metros across the nation?

S.S. – No,not. There is no need to change the existing AFC gate commissioned at Metro stations. A separate aisle can be created at every metro station for NCMC gate and this will help in Reducing the cost of the project along with fair trials for NCMC gates.

Gradually old AFC gates can be converted into NCMC gates in a phase wise manner.

N.S. – What will be the benefits of the scheme as far as your opinion is concerned ? Is it going to be feasible ?

S.S. – Certainly the scheme and the vision to bind the mobility sector with one common card is an ambitious long term plan and it will ease travelling in public transport across the country.

N.S. – What are the various complications which we will have to face while implementing this? How much time will it take as per your assumptions?

S.S. – One is acceptance to the new system. Initially, there are few challenges whenever there is a transition from the older system to newer ones. In the next 3-4 years, new aisles can be created at existing metro stations and in case of new projects, NCMC gates can be considered from the start.

N.S. – What will be the measures which you would like to suggest to the government and the agencies involved in the implementation of the project ?

S.S. – NCMC gate project needs hand holding from the central & state Govt. as well as acceptance of the same from DMRC and other metro authorities across India.

“Swagat” (NCMC fare gates) will have a very long term effect on public transport system by increasing the ridership through convenience.

N.S. – Is it going to boost the Make in India concept? Please provide with your opinions whether it is going to help in the recent campaign launched by the Central Government called Atmanirbhar Bharat ?

S.S. – Yes. It will definitely boost the Make In India & Atmanirbhar Bharat conceps.t It will provide immense opportunities to the Indian companies to grow their businesses in India and across the globe.

N.S. – How do you think it will affect the public transport systems? Is it going to bring a revolutionary change in the metros across different states of our country?

S.S. – As I have already stated above, the public transport systems accepting the scheme will help to bring the whole transport system faring system under one umbrella which will surely help to become fully digital in fare collection. It will also help to decrease the chances of getting infections as it will decrease the chances of getting physical contacts.

N.S. – It has already been more than one year of the launch of the NCMC Scheme but no adequate works have been done on the ground. What do you think about future possibilities in such a scenario?

S.S. – Yes, delay is certainly there but the future of NCMC scheme is very bright.

We hope that the implementation of NCMC gates starts very soon in various Metro projects across the nation. The move will create new opportunities for Indian business in this field.

N.S.- The card is enabled with the indigenous Rupay payments system. How will it help to strengthen Rupay and NPCI if the scheme is fully implemented?

S.S. – The basic idea is to ease the way of ticketing and travelling on a public transport system so multiple modes like Rupay QR NPCI etc acceptance is preferred. It will also help to increase the revenue generation for Rupay which will further help NCPI to make Rupay a global payment system.

N.S. – Please share about your firm’s contribution towards Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat movements.

S.S. – Under Make In India and Atmanirbhar Bharat we at Toshi Automatic Systems P Ltd(TASPL) have started developing a lot of products. We were earlier importing them from European and different Asian countries.

We have developed 100% indigenous PSD doors for BRTS and have completed six major BRTS projects across India which includes Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Indore, Amritsar and New Raipur BRTS projects.

In Ahmedabad BRTS, we have supplied commissioned 550 AFC gates and 271 P gates along with PSD doors at 150 bus stations.

At Terminal 3 of IGI Airport, automatic gates at immigration and visa on arrival have been supplied and installed by Taspl in 2016 & 2018.

We have also Worked with BEL & C-DAC to develop NCMC gates for them in 2018-19 and supplied few gates for trials. One set of the gates was inaugurated by Hon. PM sir in 2019 at inauguration ceremony of Ahmedabad metro.

Currently we are working on PSD door for metro application under Make In India and Atmanirbhar Bharat schemes.

N.S. – How can your firm work to help the government and metro corporations ? Kindly elaborate.

S.S. – I would like to say that if the Government and Metro corporations help us and do the hand holding, We hope to serve them by developing AFC, NCMC & PSD Doors which can also save their substantial capex cost and O&M cost in the long run.

It’s a long way to go but without support from Govt and Metro Authorities we will not be able to deliver.

N.S. – I thank You for sharing your views and giving your precious time.

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