PM to Flag off Indigenously Built Locomotive for Guinea

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18/06/2025

In a move to strengthen India’s role in the export of rolling stock in the global market, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the indigenously built diesel locomotive for export to Guinea, a coastal country located in Africa, on 20 June.

This 4500 horsepower (HP) locomotive was manufactured in the Marhowrah Diesel Locomotive Factory, which is situated in the Saran district of Bihar.

The Marhowrah Diesel Locomotive Factory was established as a joint venture between Indian Railways and the American company General Electric (now Wabtec)

The locomotive plant bagged the contract for supplying a total of 150 locomotives at a cost of 411 million dollars (Rs 3,533 crore). The cost of one locomotive will be 2.74 million dollars or Rs 23.55 crore. The locomotive plant will roll out the locomotives in phases:

Number of Locomotives	Year of Roll Out
37	2025-26
82	2026-27
31	2027-28

These locomotives are designed to support freight transportation operations. Each unit is powered by a 4,500 HP engine and incorporates several modern features for improving performance and crew comfort. The locomotives meet advanced emission standards and are equipped with fire detection systems, insulated roofs, and windshield heating for defogging. The crew cabins are ergonomically designed and include air conditioning, a functional toilet, refrigerator, microwave, and a waterless toilet system.

The locomotives are designed with single cabins and will operate in pairs to haul freight loads. When deployed together, two locomotives can carry up to 100 wagons at the maximum permissible speed, with a total freight capacity of approximately 8,000 tonnes.

For improved control and coordination, the rake will be fitted with a Distributed Power Wireless Control System (DPWCS), which allows wireless management of locomotives positioned at both ends of the train.

This development signals the success of the Make in India and Make for World initiative. It also highlights India’s growing presence in the international railway market.

Additionally, PM Modi will also flag off a Vande Bharat train from Patliputra (Bihar) to Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) on June 20.

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DMRC Enters Partnership with Monash University for Research in Metro Systems

By

Staff Reporter

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18/06/2025

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DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) which manages India’s largest metro system and Monash University (acting through its Institute of Railway Technology), Melbourne (Australia), have entered a strategic partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to carry out research activities in the domain of the metro rail sector.

The partnership focuses on joint research in areas such as advanced automation of rolling stock and improved methods for track maintenance. The aim is to explore practical solutions that enhance the efficiency, safety, and reliability of metro rail operations.

The MoU was formalised at Metro Bhawan, signed by the authorised representatives of DMRC and the Institute of Railway Technology (IRT) at Monash University, in the presence of senior officials from both organisations

As per the scope of this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), exchange programs shall be facilitated periodically between Monash University and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Academy. The DMRC Academy will serve as the knowledge and training partner for all such collaborative activities.

As part of the partnership, DMRC will identify specific areas of study related to metro systems to be undertaken in coordination with the Institute of Railway Technology (IRT) at Monash University. These studies will be carried out under separate contractual agreements, to be defined on a case-by-case basis. In addition, both organisations will explore further opportunities for technical collaboration, research initiatives, and competency development of metro professionals.

This MoU signifies a step forward in DMRC’s collaboration with one of the world’s leading railway technology institutes, enhancing DMRC’s capabilities in critical operational and maintenance domains.

Moreover, this collaboration will open new avenues for future initiatives, facilitating the exchange of technology and expertise to enhance the safety and reliability of train operations, as well as improving the overall travel experience for passengers.

Monash University is a prominent Australian institution recognised for its strengths in research and innovation. The Institute of Railway Technology at Monash University is recognised globally as a leading research centre dedicated to railway technology and engineering.

The partnership is projected to generate new opportunities for prospective ventures, facilitating the transfer of technology and expertise essential for improving safety and reliability in train operations, while also enhancing passenger travel experiences.

According to DMRC, this collaboration will promote industry-driven research, resulting in practical applications and innovations in metro railway engineering, improved operational excellence, workforce competency development, and long-term sustainability.

The partnership is anticipated to accelerate the integration of modern practices and future-ready solutions throughout Indian metro systems.

Professor Craig Jeffrey, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) and Senior Vice-President at Monash University, mentioned, “Industry and government are critical partners and collaborators for Monash in advancing our shared education, research and global impact objectives.”

Professor Craig Jeffrey, said, “Monash will continue to build partnerships with top Indian corporations and key government organisations to enhance innovation.”

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DMRC Invites Bids for Electrification Package D2E-12 Of Delhi Metro Phase 4

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Staff Reporter

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18/06/2025

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DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has issued a tender for the electrification contract D2E-12 of Delhi Metro Phase 4’s Line 10 and Line 5 extension. The Line 10 (Golden Line) spans 23.622 km from Aerocity to Tuglakabad through 15 stations, while the Line 5 extension spans 12.58 km between Inderlok and Indraprastha through 10 stations.

Tender Details

Opening Date	20 May 2025
Closing Date	30 Jun 2025
EMD	₹ 25,00,000
Tender Id	2025_DMRC_860755_1
Tender No	D2E-12
Approximate cost of work	INR 33.22 Crores
Contract Duration	36 Months

The contract’s scope of work includes the Design, Supply, Installation, Testing, and Commissioning of 25 kV Overhead Equipment (OHE) for Line 10’s section between Saket G Block and Sangam Vihar, and Line 5’s extension from Inderlok to Ashok Park Main Station.

Brief Scope of Work: Design, Supply, Installation, Testing and Commissioning of 25 kV Overhead Equipment (OHE) for Elevated Corridor of Line-10 (Saket G Block to Sangam Vihar) and Line-5 Ext. (inderlok And Ashok Park Main Station) Of Delhi Metro MRTS Phase-IV.

Recently, DMRC and Monash University, Melbourne, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate and jointly undertake metro rail research activities. These research activities will focus on advanced automation of rolling stock & track maintenance.

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Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw Unveils India’s Largest Automobile Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal

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Staff Reporter

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17/06/2025

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Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw Unveils India’s Largest Automobile Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal

To streamline the logistics efficiency of automobile transportation, Union Minister for Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, officially inaugurated the largest automobile Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal in India, located at Manesar Facility of Maruti Suzuki India Limited.

This facility is linked to Patli Railway Station through a dedicated 10-km rail corridor, which is part of the 121.7-km Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor.

Shri Nayab Singh Saini, Chief Minister of Haryana; Shri Rao Narbir Singh, Minister of Industries, Government of Haryana; Shri Mukesh Sharma, MLA; and Mr. Hisashi Takeuchi, CEO & Managing Director, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, were present during the inauguration.

About Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal at Maruti Suzuki’s Manesar plant

The Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal at Maruti Suzuki’s Manesar plant represents a major enhancement in the infrastructure dedicated to improving the logistics efficiency of automobile transportation.

The loading capacity of the Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal is among the highest in India, capable of handling 450,000 automobiles annually.

Overview of Patli Railway Station

The Patli railway station is part of the 121.7-km Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor developed by the Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (HRIDC).

The construction of the 10 km rail link required a total investment of ₹800 crore, HRIDC contributed ₹684 crore and the remaining funds were provided by Maruti Suzuki.

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Mumbai Metro: MMRDA Acquires 174 hectares of Land for Mogarpada Depot

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Staff Reporter

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17/06/2025

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MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): The Mumbai Metro Rail Project has witnessed a major advancement as Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has formally acquired 174.01 hectares of land at Mogarpada, Taluka, and District Thane for the establishment of a world-class, integrated Metro Car Depot.

The Mogarpada Metro Depot will serve as the central operations and maintenance facility for Metro Lines 4, 4A, 10, and 11, which collectively encompass a network of 55.99 km extending from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai to Mira Road.

About the Mogarpada Metro Depot

The Mogarpada Metro Depot is designed to support the efficient operation and maintenance of metro trains. Strategically developed to meet the daily operational demands of the Mumbai Metro network, the depot is equipped with advanced systems and infrastructure to ensure safety, reliability, and seamless service delivery.

Key features of the Mogarpada Depot include:

Workshop Lines (10): Dedicated for heavy maintenance activities, enabling thorough overhauls and repairs of rolling stock components.
Inspection Lines (10): Designed for routine inspections and daily checks to maintain operational readiness and ensure passenger safety.
Stabling Lines (64): Capable of housing up to 64 metro trains.
Underfloor Wheel Lathe: Used for wheel profiling and reconditioning of rolling stock.
Automatic and Heavy Wash Systems: Ensure regular exterior cleaning of trains.
Blow-Down Plant: Facilitates de-dusting and cleaning of underframe and roof-mounted equipment, crucial for optimal performance.
CMV Workshop: Provides dedicated space for stabling and maintenance of Catenary Maintenance Vehicles (CMVs), essential for overhead electrification upkeep.
Depot Control Centre (DCC): Serves as the command hub for depot operations, monitoring train movements, and coordinating maintenance schedules.

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HBL Engineering Bags ₹163.62 Cr Railway Contract for Kavach System

By

Staff Reporter

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17/06/2025

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HBL Engineering Limited has secured 2 contracts from South Central Railway for the indigenously developed Kavach Safety System. The total value of both contracts stands at ₹163.62 crore. Following this development, the shares of HBL Engineering Limited surged 5% to Rs 619 on the BSE in Monday’s trade.

Contract 1: Installing the Kavach System on the Vijayawada–Ballarshah section

HBL Engineering received an order of about ₹132.95 crore, which has a provision for deploying the Kavach System across the Vijayawada–Ballarshah section. This contract will cover about a 446km route, 48 stations and 10 locomotives. HBL Engineering is responsible for completing this work within a timeframe of 18 months.

Contract 2: Upgradation of Kavach System

In addition to the previously awarded contract, HBL Engineering has received a ₹30.67 crore contract from South Central Railway. Under this contract, HBL Engineering will carry out the upgradation of the Kavach system from Version 3.2 to Version 4.0. This work will take place on the Mudkhed (including)–Manmad (excluding) section covering a 350km route. As per the contract requirement, HBL Engineering will have to complete this work within 24 months (2 years).

As a result of these new contracts, HBL’s total order book has grown to ₹4,029.05 crore, up from ₹3,998.38 crore.

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Bullet Train Project Progresses with Launch of 8th Steel Bridge in Gujarat

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Staff Reporter

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16/06/2025

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India’s first bullet train project (Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor) has reached another milestone with the completion of the 8th steel bridge over DFCC tracks near Bharuch, Gujarat.

About Steel Bridge

This development marks the successful installation of the 8th steel bridge for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) project. Out of the total 28 steel bridges planned along the entire corridor, 17 are located in Gujarat. The MAHSR corridor spans approximately 506 kilometres and will feature 12 stations, significantly enhancing high-speed connectivity between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

Fabrication Process

This bridge was fabricated in the workshop of Trichy. Subsequently, it was brought to the location with the help of trailers. The bridge fabrication involved the use of approximately 55,300 Tor-Shear Type High Strength (TTHS) bolts for structural integrity. A C5 anti-corrosion painting system was applied to enhance durability in harsh environmental conditions. Additionally, elastomeric bearings were specially designed to support a lifespan of 100 years.

Characteristics of the Bridge
Length	100 meter
Height	14.6 meter
Width	14.3 meter
Weight	1400 metric tons

Launching Process

The engineering team utilised an 84-meter-long launching nose to execute the launching of the bridge. The weight of the launching nose was about 600 metric tons. The entire bridge structure was meticulously assembled at the project site at an elevation of 18 meters above ground level, supported on temporary trestles. For the launching process, a precision-controlled mechanism was deployed using two semi-automatic jacks. Each jack had a capacity of 250 tonnes. These jacks operated in coordination with Mac-Alloy bars to pull the superstructure into its final position.

Details of completed steel bridges in Gujarat for the Bullet Train Project

Sr. No.	Location	Length of the steel bridge (in meters)	Weight of the steel bridge (in MT)
1	Across National Highway 53, Surat	70	673
2	Over Vadodara-Ahmedabad main line of Indian Railways, near Nadiad	100	1486
3	Over Delhi-Mumbai National Expressway, near Vadodara	230 (130+100)	4397
4	Near Silvassa in Dadra & Nagar Haveli	100	1464
5	Over Western Railways, Vadodara	60	645
6	Over two DFCC Tracks and two Western Railways tracks, Surat	100,60	2040
7	Over two DFCC tracks, near Vadodara	70	674
8	Over DFCC tracks near Bharuch	100	1400

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Delhi Metro Phase 5: Bids Invited for Construction of YugeYugeen Bharat Station

By

Kapil Saini

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16/06/2025

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NEW DELHI (METRO RAIL NEWS): Following the 60% completion of Delhi Metro Phase 4, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has initiated tendering for Phase 5 in order to expand the metro network in the NCR Region. Recently, DMRC invited bids for the construction of YugeYugeen Bharat underground metro station, which will come up on the 9.9km Indraprastha – RK Ashram Marg corridor under Delhi Metro Phase 5A.

DMRC’s Scope of Work: Design and Construction of YugeYugeen Bharat underground station along with PD Area Ancillary Building, associated Entry Exits and Connecting subways under Phase V A of Delhi MRTS.

Tender Details

Estimated cost of work: ₹206.33 crore

Tender Reference Number: EC-01

Tender Id: 2025_DMRC_864634_1

Pre-Bid Meeting: 20 June 2025
Bid Submission Start Date: 30 June 2025
Bid Submission End Date: 7 July 2025
Bid Opening Date: 8 July 2025

Significance of Indraprastha – RK Ashram Metro Corridor.

The corridor will come up as an extension of the 12.3 kilometre-long Inderlok-Indraprastha corridor (Green Line), which is being developed under phase 4 of Delhi Metro.

The corridor will extend metro connectivity to important sites, including 10 big central government office buildings along the Kartavya Path, the proposed Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum, Bharat Mandapam, India Gate, among others.

Stations Planned Along the New Corridor

This new metro line is likely to feature 9 strategically planned underground stations:

Indraprastha
Bharat Mandapam,
Baroda House,
India Gate (adjacent to C-Hexagon),
New Common Central Secretariat (CCS)
Central Secretariat,
Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum
Shivaji Stadium
R K Ashram Marg.

Delhi Metro Phase 5

As per the proposal submitted by DMRC to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Phase 5 will cover a total distance of 206.5 km. Phase 5 will be implemented in 2 phases: Phase 5A and Phase 5B. Phase 5A will have 3 corridors, and Phase 5B will feature 15 corridors.

Corridors Planned Under Phase 5A

Indraprastha – RK Ashram Marg (9.9km)
Aerocity- Terminal 1 of IGI Airport (2.3 km)
Tughlakabad – Kalindi Kunj (4km)

The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for all three corridors has been submitted to the Government of Delhi. Additionally, the National Planning Group (NPG) has recently assessed the plan, which amounts to Rs 11,150 crore, for these corridors. Furthermore, the proposal pertaining to this corridor is slated to be presented to the central government for approval.

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Kochi Metro Explores Non-Fare Box Revenue Stream by Leasing Out Land

By

Staff Reporter

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14/06/2025

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KOCHI (Metro Rail News): Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) is gearing up to lease land that is presently utilised as a parking facility for the Metro, for a commercial establishment near the Kaloor Metro Station in Kochi. This initiative aims to capitalise on the prime location of the land.

Tender issued by KMRL for leasing out the land

KMRL has issued a tender for the commercial lease of 45 cents of land adjacent to the metro station. The tender notice indicates that KMRL seeks to engage with investors or developers capable of developing this land parcel.

In discussing the strategic advantages of the location, the tender document suggests that the developer may explore options to establish a connection to the nearest metro station through suitable technical solutions, thereby facilitating direct access for metro commuters to the proposed complex.

Motive Behind leasing out the land

This move to lease out the land follows previous efforts by Kochi Metro to initiate commercial activities on its property, but the effort to find land developers failed. KMRL managing director Loknath Behera mentioned that the move to lease out the land aligned with KMRL’s policy to increase revenue beyond ticket fares.

Official Statement from Kochi Metro, MD

“We have already started the process to lease land parcels at many locations in the city. It is expected that the new policy will financially help the company implement various development projects,” he said.

About the Kochi Metro Rail Project

Kochi Metro Rail Project is an urban Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) serving the city of Kochi. The Kochi Metro comprises 2 Phases, consisting of 1 metro corridor each. Currently, Phase 1 of the Kochi Metro while Phase 2 is under construction.

Phase	Corridor	Route	Length	Stations
Phase 1	Line-1 (Blue Line):	Aluva – Tripunithura	27.96 km	25
Phase 2	Line-2 (Pink Line)	JLN Stadium – Infopark II	11.2 km	11

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KERNEX-VRRC JV Receives LoA for Kavach Contracts worth Rs 311 Cr from Southern Railways

By

Staff Reporter

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14/06/2025

0

The KERNEX-VRRC Consortium has received a Letter of Acceptance (LoA) for two major Kavach contracts from Southern Railways. The contract includes the provision and installation of the Kavach (Train Collision Avoidance System) at the Chennai division.

The total combined value of the Kavach Contracts is Rs 311.03 crore. Kernex holds a 60% share in the joint venture.

Contract 1 Details

Contract Value: Rs 173.11 crore

Contract Duration: 730 days

Length: 271 Kilometers

The contract includes the deployment of the Kavach system across the MAS-Gudur, MAS-Arakkonam, and Arakkonam, Renigunta sections within the Chennai Division.

Contract 2 Details

Contract Value: Rs 137.92 crore

Contract Duration: 540 days

The awarded contractor will be responsible for implementing Kavach, along with the construction of tower infrastructure and laying 48 optical fibre cables as the backbone network between Arakkonam and Jolarpettai within the Chennai Division.

Implementation Of Kavach System Across India

SN	Items	Progress
i	Laying of Optical Fibre Cable	5743 Km
ii	Installation of Telecom Towers	540 Nos.
iii	Provision of Kavach at Stations	664 Nos.
iv	Provision of Kavach in Loco	795 Locos
v	Installation of trackside equipment	3727 Rkm

Kavach Implementation Future Plan

The estimated cost for installing Kavach equipment along the trackside, including at station locations, stands at approximately ₹50 lakh per route kilometre. Additionally, the cost of installing Kavach systems on locomotives is about ₹80 lakh per locomotive.

So far, a total expenditure of ₹1,950 crore has been incurred on Kavach-related works.

Next Phase

Under the next phase of implementation, Indian Railways has finalized a project to equip 10,000 locomotives with Kavach. To facilitate this, 69 locomotive sheds have been upgraded and prepared to carry out the installations.

Furthermore, tenders have been invited for the provision of trackside Kavach systems covering approximately 15,000 route kilometres (RKm), focusing on the Golden Quadrilateral (GQ), Golden Diagonal (GD), High-Density Network (HDN), and other strategically identified sections of the Indian Railways network. Out of this, contracts covering 1,865 RKm have already been awarded and are in various stages of execution.

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