CEG to Conduct Geotechnical Survey for 6 New Metro Lines Across India

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27/06/2025

In a major boost to urban mobility, CEG Test House and Research Centre Pvt. Ltd. emerged as the lowest bidder for carrying out geotechnical soil investigation for 139km of new metro lines in India.

The geotechnical study will take place for the following 6 metro corridors:

Route	Length
Mumbai Metro MRTS Lines	30 km
Indore – Ujjain	46 km
Tughlakabad – Noida Sector 142	15 km
Kundli – Sonipat metro line	20 km
Samaypur Badli – Kundli	15 km
New Delhi Railway Station – New Ashok Nagar	13 km

The insights from the geotechnical investigation will be used for preparing the Detailed Projects Report (DPRs) of these corridors.

The bidding process for the geotechnical investigation of these corridors began in December 2024 by DMRC. As per the DMRC, the scope of work includes “Geo-Technical Investigation Works for Preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for MRTS Projects”.

The opening of the technical bids took place in January 2025, during which one of the four bidders was disqualified due to non-compliance with the contract’s guidelines. Following this process, financial bids of the remaining three bidders were revealed by DMRC in June 2025.

Firm	Financial Bid (in crores)
CEG Test House And Research Centre Pvt. Ltd.	1.09
Cengrs Geotechnica Pvt Ltd.	1.12
Techpro Engineers Pvt Ltd.	1.24

Geotechnical Activities to be Performed

Drilling boreholes with a diameter of 150 mm in various soil types to a depth of up to 30 meters.
Performing Standard Penetration Tests (SPT) at 1.5-meter intervals within the boreholes, following the relevant IS Code of Practice, along with other in-situ tests as specified in the schedule.
Extracting undisturbed soil samples at every change in strata, with a minimum of two samples per borehole, in compliance with IS standards.
Measuring and documenting the groundwater table level upon completion of boring.
Executing borehole drilling up to specified depths, including a maximum of 5 meters in intact hard rock (RQD >50%), 10 meters in weathered rock (RQD up to 50%), or 30 meters in soil (up to N=100), using a hydraulic or calyx rig by the wash boring method, as per the Engineer-in-Charge’s directions and the technical specifications.
Conducting in-situ permeability tests in rocky formations and laboratory permeability tests for other soil types.
Extracting rock core samples from boreholes and recording Rock Quality Designation (RQD).
Performing all required laboratory tests on collected samples, following the prescribed schedule and technical specifications.
Surveying borehole locations, determining elevation levels, and accurately plotting them on the alignment plan.

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InnoMetro 2025 Concludes Successfully, Strengthening India’s Rail Transit Ecosystem

By

Staff Reporter

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26/06/2025

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Metro Rail News is proud to announce the successful conclusion of the 5th edition of InnoMetro, held on May 21-22, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, Hall No. 4, New Delhi.

Find all the key metrics about the 5th edition of InnoMetro in the Post Event Report. The Post Event Report of the 5th edition of InnoMetro offers a comprehensive overview of the event’s performance across several key metrics. It details the total number of partners, exhibitors and attendees, including the composition of speakers from government bodies, metro corporations, and engineering firms. In this report, Digital engagement metrics, such as website traffic, social media & email reach, have been provided to measure the effectiveness of the marketing efforts. In addition, the post-event report contains the feedback of partners, exhibitors and speakers to assess satisfaction levels, identify strengths, and recommend areas for improvement, which will guide us in effectively planning and executing the upcoming editions of InnoMetro.

Download the Post Event Report of the 5th edition of InnoMetro here

Acknowledgement of Support

The support of our partners, exhibitors, and speakers was instrumental in the smooth execution of the event. Their contributions enabled the exchange of domain-specific knowledge, technologies and facilitated focused interactions among industry stakeholders on current developments in rail infrastructure and regulatory frameworks.

We would like to extend special thanks to Hitachi, Event Partner of the 5th edition of InnoMetro, for adding great value to the event. In addition, the officials from Hitachi including, Dr. Bharat Kaushal, Corporate Officer at Hitachi, Ltd. and Executive Chairman of Hitachi India, along with Mr. Kunal Kaushik, Head of Sales and Strategy India, Hitachi Digital Services, Shri Mangal Dev Head, Hitachi Rail India & South Asia (Mobility) & Director, Hitachi India Pvt Ltd and Shri Pankaj Bhatia, Managing Director, Hitachi Rail GTS India Pvt. Ltd. added a great value to the conference by presenting their insights to the critical topics from technological breakthroughs to policy frameworks and sustainable practices.

Participation from Dignitaries

The gracious presence of dignitaries, including Dr. Vikas Kumar, Managing Director, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Shri Loknath Behra, Managing Director, Kochi Metro Rail Limited, Shri Rajat Gosain, GGM / Planning, NCRTC and Shri P. Uday Reddy, General Manager, Metro Railway Kolkata, enriched the conference. Their extensive expertise and strategic perspectives facilitated meaningful dialogue on innovation, technology, and the future of rail mobility in India.

Contribution to National Goals

The 5th edition of InnoMetro effectively served the resolve to contribute to the nation’s rail infrastructure growth through innovation and indigenous capabilities. The extensive participation from industry leaders and the depth of discussions truly reflect the industry’s dynamism and India’s increasing efforts towards building a greener and more sustainable rail transit system for the generations to come.

The event effectively aligned with the ‘Make in India’ initiative by showcasing indigenous capabilities in manufacturing, design, and system integration, thereby supporting the broader objective of enhancing self-reliance in rail technologies and infrastructure development.

Key Highlights of InnoMetro 2025

This year, the event centred its theme around “Promoting a Green and Sustainable Future for Metro and Railways”.The 5th edition of InnoMetro brought together an extensive gathering of over 4500 visitors, 50+ exhibitors and over 60 distinguished speakers.

The 5th edition of InnoMetro successfully facilitated high-impact networking and created a focused platform for engaging with vendors, suppliers, and potential collaborators coming from the ecosystem of the rail transport industry.

About InnoMetro

InnoMetro is a premier exhibition & conference dedicated to the rail transit industry. It serves as a crucial platform for industry leaders, policymakers, technology providers, and stakeholders to connect and collaborate for developing a sustainable and safe rail infrastructure.

Vision

InnoMetro stands firmly on its goal to provide a focused platform for innovators and technology providers to showcase advancements that have the potential to enhance the capacity of rail transit systems. Alongside the exhibition, the conference continues to serve as a relevant forum for technical experts, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to engage in structured discussions on the evolving dynamics of the rail transport sector from emerging technologies to regulatory and operational frameworks.

The 6th edition of InnoMetro is scheduled to take place on 21–22 May 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The upcoming edition will feature an expanded venue with enhanced facilities to accommodate a broader range of exhibitors, technical sessions, and collaborative activities.

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Delhi Metro Phase 4: Tunnel Breakthrough Achieved at Vasant Kunj Station of Golden Line

By

Kapil Saini

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26/06/2025

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Delhi Metro's TBM Breakthrough at Vasant Kunj Station

DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Delhi Metro Phase 4 advanced as J Kumar Infraprojects’ Tunnel Boring Machine S64B (Shalini) achieved a breakthrough at Vasant Kunj Metro Station of the Golden Line on 25 June 2025. This development was recorded under Package DC-08 of the 23.622 km Tughlakabad-Aerocity corridor.

TBM S64B, nicknamed Shalini, was commissioned as the first TBM for the 6.116 km Package DC-08. Yesterday, TBM Shalini completed its first assignment after building a 1550-meter-long tunnel between Kishangarh and Vasant Kunj Station. The breakthrough of the parallel tunnel was successfully achieved by TBM Sonakshi on 6 March 2025.

Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) S64B, measuring 91 metres in length with a cutterhead diameter of 6.61 metres, was deployed to construct the tunnel at an average depth of approximately 22.86 metres (ranging from 15.48 metres to 30.25 metres). The tunnel comprises 1,105 precast concrete rings, each with an internal diameter of 5.8 metres, forming the structural lining of the tunnel.

J Kumar Infraprojects secured the civil package contract DC-08 from DMRC at Rs. 1611.74 crore. The scope of the package covers a 6.116 km stretch of the Golden Line, connecting Aerocity to Kishangarh. This section includes the construction of four stations, Aerocity, Mahipalpur, Vasant Kunj, and Kishangarh, spanning from chainage (-)760 metres to 5,356.285 metres.

Delhi Metro Phase 4 will add 112.32 kilometres to the existing network, of which approximately 40.109 kilometres of alignment will be underground. Within this expansion, the Aerocity–Tughlakabad corridor, spanning 23.622 kilometres, will feature 19.343 kilometres of underground section.

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Central Govt. Greenlights ₹3626.24cr Pune Metro Phase 2 Project

By

Kapil Saini

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26/06/2025

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PUNE (Metro Rail News): The Pune Metro Phase 2 has gained momentum following the approval of the central government, with a total estimated cost of Rs 3,626.24 crore. Phase 2 is a strategic extension of the existing Vanaz–Ramwadi corridor (Aqua Line) in both the eastern and western directions.

The proposal to extend the Aqua Line is in accordance with the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP), which includes a metro line stretching from Chandani Chowk to Wagholi.

Approved Routes Under Phase 2

Line	Approved Route	Length	Stations	Station Type
Aqua Line (Western Extension)	Vanaz to Chandani Chowk (Corridor 2A)	1.12 km	2 stations	Elevated
Aqua Line (Eastern Extension)	Ramwadi to Wagholi/Vitthalwadi (Corridor 2B)	11.36 km	11 stations	Elevated
Total		12.75 km	13 stations

Phase 2 of the Pune Metro is projected to be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 3,626.24 crore over a duration of four years. The cost of the project will be borne equally by the Government of India, the Government of Maharashtra, and external bilateral/multilateral agencies.

Ridership Trends on the Entire Aqua Line After Commissioning of The Project

Year	Projected Ridership
2027	0.96 lakh
2037	2.01 lakh
2047	2.87 lakh
2057	3.49 lakh

The extensions of Pune Metro Line 2 are strategically planned to connect with IT hubs, commercial districts, educational institutions, and residential areas. This expansion is expected to increase the public transportation share and ridership across the network.

As part of a long-term comprehensive mobility plan, intercity bus services from cities such as Mumbai and Bengaluru will be integrated at Chandani Chowk, while services from Ahilya Nagar and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar will be routed through Wagholi. These nodes will serve as multimodal transit hubs, which will increase accessibility to the Pune Metro network.

Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro) will serve as the implementing agency for the project. As of now, pre-construction activities, including topographical surveys and the appointment of detailed design consultants (DDC), are already underway.

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Indian Railways to Increase Fares from 1 July

By

Staff Reporter

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25/06/2025

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The Indian Railways will implement an increase in passenger train fares for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The minor increase in fares will be effective from July 1, 2025.

According to sources within the railway sector, the fare for non-AC Mail/Express trains will experience an increase of 1 paise per km, while fares for AC classes will rise by 2 paise per km. The pricing of monthly season tickets will remain unchanged.

The Indian Railways has made an effort to exempt daily commuters utilising local train services from this fare increase. Consequently, there will be no adjustment in fares for suburban tickets and second-class travel for distances up to 500 kilometres. For journeys exceeding 500 km, the fare increase will amount to half the price per km.

Earlier this month, the Indian Railways announced a policy change requiring Aadhaar authentication for Tatkal train ticket bookings, effective from July 1, 2025.

A directive issued on June 10, 2025, from the Ministry of Railways has informed all railway zones that this requirement aims to ensure that the benefits of the Tatkal Scheme are accessible to the common end user.

The total earnings of the Railways from the passenger segment amount to approximately INR 75,000 crore annually. With the implementation of these fare adjustments, it is anticipated that passenger revenues will experience a marginal increase.

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Saarstahl Rail to Supply Rail for Bangalore Suburban Railway Project

By

Staff Reporter

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25/06/2025

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BANGALORE (Metro Rail News): Rail Infrastructure Development Company Karnataka Limited ( K-RIDE) revealed Saarstahl Rail as the lowest bidder for the track supply contract of the Bangalore Suburban Railway Project.

The awarded contractor will be supplying 60E1 (UIC 60), 1080 HH Grade Rails as per IRS-T-12-2009 (Latest with all A&C slips), for Corridor 2’s section from Beingannahalli to Chikkabanavara and Corridor 4’s section between Heelalige and Rajankunte.

K-RIDE floated tender for this contract with a 365-day deadline. The technical bids were opened on 31 January 2025, revealing that 3 firms have submitted bids for the contract.

Financial Bid Values

Firm	Bid Value
Saarstahl Rail	₹ 214.4 Cr
Arcelormittal Espana S.A	₹ 246 Cr

On 29 May 2025, a technical evaluation of the submitted bid took place. During the technical evaluation, Mitsui & Co., Ltd.’s bid was rejected. The financial bids were opened on 4 June 2025, revealing Saarstahl Rail as the lowest bidder for the contract.

Bangalore Suburban Railway Project is an under-construction commuter rail network which spans 149.348 km and consists of 4 Corridors.

Corridor	Line	Route	Length
Corridor 1	Sampige Line	KSR Bengaluru – Yelahanka – Devanahalli	41.478 km
Corridor 2	Mallige Line	Baiyyappanahalli Terminal – Chikkabanavara	24.866 km
Corridor 3	Parijaata Line	Kengeri – Whitefield	35.52 km
Corridor 4	Kanaka Line	Heelalige – Rajankunte	46.285 km

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MMRDA Approves Major Contracts to Speed Up Metro Work in Mumbai

By

Staff Reporter

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25/06/2025

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MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): In order to expedite the development of the Metro and related transport systems in Mumbai, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has approved projects worth more than Rs 12,000 crore on 24 June 2025.

The approval occurred at MMRDA’s 284th Executive Committee meeting, led by the state Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik. About 19 major contracts were approved in the meeting.

Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA, said, “Each project approved today has been meticulously evaluated to ensure it contributes meaningfully to the integrated growth of Mumbai’s transport infrastructure.”

Some Major Contracts Approved During the Meeting are mentioned below:

Contract 1

Larsen & Toubro Ltd bagged the highest value Package CA-234 worth Rs 4,788 crore for Mumbai Metro Line 4 & Line 4A. Under this contract, L&T will be responsible for supplying the major systems mentioned below:

Supplying rolling stock (39 trains (234 coaches) consisting of 6 coaches)
CBTC signaling & train control (S&T)
Telecommunication System
Platform screen doors (PSDs)
Depot machinery & plant (M&P) for Mogharpada Depot.

L&T has partnered with Alstom Transport for the rolling stock and signalling solution. L&T was declared the lowest bidder for the contract in February 2025. Read about the complete contract details here.

Contract 2

L&T also bagged the Package CA-168 worth Rs 188.59 crore, which includes the supply and installation of ballastless track on Line 4 & 4A ( Green Line ) spanning 35.2 km connecting Wadala – Kasarvadavali – Gaimukh via 34 elevated stations.

L&T was declared the lowest bidder for the Package CA-168 in February 2025. Read about the full contract details here.

Contract 3

IRCON International bagged the Package CA-233 worth Rs 668.15 crore of Mumbai Metro Line 6 ( Pink Line), which spans 15.18 km from Swami Samarth Nagar (Lokhandwala) to Vikhroli.

The scope of work under this contract includes the commissioning of several systems for Line 6.

Commissioning the line’s power supply & traction system,
Electrical & mechanical (E&M) system,
Lifts and escalators at its 13 elevated stations.

IRCON International was declared as the lowest bidder for the Package CA-233 in February 2025. Read about the full contract details here.

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Pune Metro:YFC–BBG JV gets LoA for the Construction Contract of PCMC – Bhakti Shakti Section

By

Staff Reporter

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25/06/2025

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PUNE (Metro Rail News): YFC Projects – BBG Infrastructure JV has received a Letter of Acceptance (LoA) from Maha-Metro for the civil contract of Pune Metro Purple Line’s northern extension from PCMC to Bhakti Shakti spanning 4.519 km through 4 elevated stations.

Contract Value: ₹ 106.1 Cr
Contract Duration: 630 Days

The awarded contractor will be responsible for constructing four stations on Pune Metro Purple Line’s northern extension from PCMC to Bhakti Shakti, excluding the viaduct, pier arms, girder erection, deck slab at concourse and platform levels, and E&M works. Additionally, the contract includes plumbing works on the Pune Metro Purple Line’s northern extension.

Stations

Chinchwad
Akurdi
Nigdi
Bhakti Shakti

Maha-Metro floated a tender for this contract with a 630-day deadline. Technical bids were opened on 30 December 2024, revealing that 4 firms have submitted bids for the contract.

Technical evaluation of the submitted bids took place on 30 December 2024, and one firm’s bid was rejected during the technical evaluation. On the same day, financial bids were opened.

Financial Bid Values

Firm	Bid Value
YFC–BBG JV	₹ 106.1 Cr
Godrej and Boyce Mfg Co. Ltd	₹ 117.4 Cr
Rail Vikas Nigam Limited	₹ 132 Cr

The financial evaluation of the bids took place on June 24, 2025. During the financial evaluation, 3 firms’ bids were rejected, and YFC–BBG JV received LoA for the contract from Maha Metro.

Originally, the Purple Line of the Pune Metro spans 16.59 km from the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) – Swargate, through 12 stations, and is currently operational. Later on, the northern extension and southern extension of the Pune Metro’s Purple line were planned, which are currently under construction.

Pune Metro’s Purple Line
Line	Route	Length	Stations	Status
Orignal Line	PCMC – Swargate	16.59 km	12 Stations	Operational
Northern Extension	PCMC to Bhakti Shakti	4.519 km	4 Stations	Under Construction
Southern Extension	Swargate – Katraj	(5.464 km	3 Stations	Under Implementation

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Telangana Govt Submits DPR for Hyderabad Metro Phase 2B

By

Staff Reporter

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24/06/2025

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HYDERABAD (Metro Rail News): To enhance connectivity in Hyderabad, the Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited managing director, NVS Reddy, stated that the Telangana government has submitted the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and all required documents for the Hyderabad Metro Phase-2B proposal to the central government.

This development came after the Telangana chief minister, A Revanth Reddy’s meeting with Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar at his residence in New Delhi, where he briefed him on the significance of the Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase-2 project.

The proposed Phase 2B of the Hyderabad Metro Project includes 3 corridors.

Corridor	Route	Length	Cost per Corridor
Line 1	RGIA to Bharat Future City (Skills University)	39.6 km	Rs 7,168 crore
Line 2	JBS to Medchal	24.5 km	Rs 6,946 crore
Line 3	JBS to Shamirpet	22 km	Rs 5,465 crore

The project will cover about an 86.1 km route and will be implemented at the cost of ₹19,579 crore jointly by the State and Central Governments. On 5 June 2025, the state cabinet approved the Hyderabad Metro Phase 2B.

Funding

Source of Funding	Amount	Contribution
Telangana Government	5874 Cr	30 %
Central Government	3524 Cr	18 %
Debt from International Institutions	9398 Cr	48 %
Public-Private Partnership (PPP)	783 Cr	4%
Total	19579 Cr	100%

The Hyderabad Metro Project is overseen by Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL). At present, it operates along three corridors and spans a total distance of 69 kilometres.

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South Eastern Railway Issues Bids for 2 Kavach Contracts worth ₹419 Cr

By

Staff Reporter

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24/06/2025

0

In a move to streamline the safety of rail operations, South Eastern Railway has floated a tender for two major Kavach contracts. The total combined value of both contracts stands at 419.79 crores.

Contract 1: Contract 1 includes the Supply, Installation, Testing & Commissioning Of Kavach On Hun Routes (1040 Rkm), Including Associated Works On Section Of Kharagpur, Adra, Ranchi & Chakradharpur Division Of South Eastern Railway.

Contract Amount: ₹ 257.62 crore
Contract Duration: 36 Months

Opening Date	19 Jun 2025
Closing Date	28 Jul 2025
Tender Id	ST_P_SER_25_KAVACH_HUN_08-PROJECT UNIT-KOLKATA-S AND T/SOUTH EASTERN RLY
Tender No	ST_P_SER_25_KAVACH_HUN_08
Bidding Start Date	14/07/2025
Pre-Bid Conference Date	01/07/2025
EMD	₹ 1,00,00,000

Contract 2: The contract 2 includes the Design, Supply, Erection, Testing & Commissioning Of 132 Kv Traction Substation, Sectioning & Paralleling Post (sps), And Sub Sectioning & Paralleling Post (ssps) In 2x25kv System On Muri-ranchi-tori Section Of Ranchi Division Of South Eastern Railway To Meet 3000mt.

Contract Amount: ₹ 162.17 crore
Contract Duration: 540 Days

Opening Date	19 Jun 2025
Closing Date	7 Aug 2025
Tender Id	SER-EPC-MURI-TORI-2x25kV-SER HQ-ELECTRICAL/SOUTH EASTERN RLY
Tender No	SER-EPC-MURI-TORI-2x25kV
Bidding Start Date	24/07/2025
Pre-Bid Conference Date	07/07/2025
EMD	₹ 82,59,000

Recently, HBL Engineering Limited also bagged 2 Kavach contract from South Central Railways. The total combined value of both contracts is ₹163.62 crore.

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