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East Central Railway floats tender for multiple stations’ development in Bihar

HAJIPUR (Metro Rail News): The East Central Railway (ECR) floated a tender for the balance of work and provisional work at multiple stations for station development in Bihar. The cost of work is estimated at ₹177.53 Cr. The stations include Ram Dayalu station, Dalsingh Sarai, Karhagola road, Mansi, Mahesh Khunt, Lakhminia, Bhagwanpur, Sonpur, Dighwara, Shahpur Patoree, Khagaria, Hajipur and Sahebpur Kamal. 

Tender Information

InformationDetails
Tender No.T-SEE-GSU-ABSS-2026-27-01 
Approximate Cost of Work₹177.53 Cr.
Completion Period18 Months
Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) ₹3.55 Cr.
Bid Submission Start DateAugust 04, 2026
Bid Submission DeadlineAugust 18, 2026 (15:00 Hrs)

Scope of Work 

The scope of work of the contract includes the balance work of:

  1. HLP extension- raising & surfacing, approach road around the pond, boundary wall, circulating and parking area & other misc. works at Ram Dayalu Nagar 
  2. PF surfacing, boundary wall, Ramp for FOB, approach road, circulating & parking area & other misc. works at Dalsingh Sarai 
  3. Boundary wall, widening of approach road, toe wall, 6m wide FOB with ramp, circulating & parking area & other misc. works at Karhagola Road
  4. PF Surfacing, approach road, boundary wall, ramp for FOB, circulating and parking area & other misc. works at Mansi 
  5. HLP extension- raising & surfacing, boundary wall, PF shed, coping block, circulating and parking area, passenger amenities & other misc. works at Mahesh Khunt 
  6. Boundary wall, passenger amenities, circulating & parking area, & other misc. works at Lakhminia 
  7. Boundary wall, ramp for FOB, extension of circulating and parking area & other misc. works at Bhagwanpur 
  8. PF Surfacing, PF shed & other misc. works at Sonpur 
  9. PF raising & surfacing, Ramp for FOB, approach road, boundary wall, utility shifting and extension of circulating area and parking area & other misc. works at Dighwara 
  10. VIP lounge, pathway, drain, staff toilet, 6m wide new FOB and ramp for existing FOB & other misc. works at Shahpur Patoree 
  11. PF Surfacing, boundary wall, ramp for FOB, circulating & parking area & other misc. works at Khagaria 

Further, the provision of – 

  1. 2nd entry building, Circulating area, drain, parking area, boundary wall, PF surfacing, & other misc. balance works of 1st entry at Hajipur 
  2. 2nd entry building, Shifting of AEN HQ & AEN Line office, shifting of IOW office & store, circulating & parking area, drain & other misc. works at Sonpur 
  3. 2nd entry building, Parking area, drain, approach road, boundary wall, PF surfacing, ramp for FOB & other misc. works at Naugachia Provision of Building, PF surfacing, Ramp for FOB, approach road, boundary wall and circulating area, parking area & other misc. works at Sahebpur Kamal.

About East Central Railway

East Central Railway zone is headquartered at Hajipur, Bihar. This is one of the busiest zones of the Indian Railways. The zone manages vast mobility across Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. It has five further divisions including Sonpur division, Dhanbad division, Samastipur division, Danapur division and DDU division.

Also Read: Big Boost for Bihar : Indian Railways approved ₹976 crore Multi tracking project on Danapur-Fatuha section

Mumbai Metro: MMRDA achieved historic milestone, passenger journey crosses 300 million in 179 days

MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) Metro network has surpassed 300 million (30 crore) passenger journeys. This achievement marks a significant milestone in Mumbai’s growing urban transport system. The last 50 million journeys were recorded in only 179 days, the fastest growth since the network began operating.  

According to MMRDA, the 300 million passenger journey milestone was reached on August 3, 2026, across Metro Line 2A (Dahisar East, Andheri West), Metro Line 7 (Dahisar East, Gundavali), Metro Line 2B Phase 1 (Diamond Garden, Mandale) and Metro Line 9 Phase 1 (Dahisar East, Kashigaon).  

Fastest growth since operations began  

This latest milestone indicates the increasing use of Mumbai’s Metro network. MMRDA noted that the most recent 50 million journeys were completed in just 179 days, making it the fastest growth phase since commercial operations started. The network is now adding an average of 279,000 passenger journeys each day, compared to 270,000 during the previous milestone period. This marks a 3.35% increase in average daily ridership, despite weekends, holidays, and seasonal travel patterns. 

MMRDA stated that the opening of Metro Line 2B Phase 1 and Metro Line 9 Phase 1 on April 7, 2026, played a crucial role in increasing passenger numbers. These two corridors added nine new stations to the network, enhancing connectivity throughout the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.  

Ridership milestones 

Since the opening of Metro Lines 2A and 7 on April 2, 2022, the network has achieved several key milestones: 

  • 2 April, 2022: Metro Lines 2A and 7 inaugurated  
  • 17 September, 2022: 5 million passenger journeys  
  • 27 January, 2023: 10 million passenger journeys  
  • 20 September, 2023: 50 million passenger journeys  
  • 28 May, 2024: 100 million passenger journeys  
  • 4 January, 2025: 150 million passenger journeys  
  • 4 August, 2025: 200 million passenger journeys  
  • 5 February, 2026: 250 million passenger journeys  
  • 3 August, 2026: 300 million passenger journeys  

Officials hail the achievement 

Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri. Devendra Fadnavis said, “Thirty crore passenger journeys are not merely a number, they represent 30 crore votes of confidence by the people of Mumbai in our vision for a modern, efficient and sustainable public transport system. Every Metro journey reflects a conscious shift towards faster, safer and cleaner mobility. As we continue to expand Metro connectivity across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, we are laying the foundation of a globally competitive Mumbai where seamless public transport will define the quality of urban life. I congratulate MMRDA, every member of the Metro team for their unwavering commitment to delivering safe and seamless Metro services.”

MMRDA Chairman and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde remarked that,“The milestone of 300 million passenger journeys is not merely a number; it is a reflection of the immense trust that Mumbaikars have placed in the Metro network developed by MMRDA. I congratulate the entire MMRDA team for this outstanding achievement and sincerely thank every commuter who has made Metro an integral part of their daily life. This growing faith of the people is our biggest strength and our greatest responsibility. We are now committed to taking this very same standard of world-class Metro services beyond Mumbai to Thane and every corner of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The day is not far when the entire MMR will be seamlessly connected through Metro, enabling citizens to travel faster, safer and more comfortably while bringing our cities, our economy and our people closer than ever before.” 

Metropolitan Commissioner Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee also mentioned that, “Crossing the landmark of 300 million passenger journeys is a moment of immense pride for MMRDA and Maha Mumbai Metro. More importantly, it reflects the growing trust that citizens have placed in our Metro system. The fact that the latest 50 million passenger journeys were achieved in a record 179 days, with an average of nearly 2.8 lakh passenger journeys every day, demonstrates that the Metro has become an integral part of Mumbai’s everyday life. Behind this achievement lies the unwavering commitment of thousands of engineers, planners, operators and frontline staff who work round the clock to deliver a safe, reliable and world-class commuting experience. We dedicate this milestone to every commuter whose continued trust motivates us to build an even stronger Metro network for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.”

Also Read: Jupiter Wagons joins hands with Lucchini RS & SIMET to manufacture railway wheels in India

Jupiter Wagons joins hands with Lucchini RS & SIMET to manufacture railway wheels in India

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Jupiter Wagons has teamed up with Italy’s Lucchini RS Holding and SIMEST to create India’s first private integrated railwheel manufacturing platform. This partnership aims to boost domestic production of railway wheels, axles and wheelsets, while also supporting exports to global markets. 

The collaboration combines Jupiter Wagons manufacturing presence in India with Lucchini RS’s knowledge in railwheel technology, engineering, and metallurgy. The company states that the venture will cover the entire manufacturing process, from processing raw materials to producing finished railway components.

Lucchini RS and SIMEST acquire 25% stake

Lucchini RS Holding will take a 15% equity stake in Jupiter Tatravagonka Railwheel Factory (JTRWF), while SIMEST, a financial institution backed by the Italian government, will acquire an additional 10% stake. The total 25% investment is estimated at about €28 million (approximately ₹307.26 crore ). The partnership also receives assistance from the Government of Italy through the Sistema Italia framework. SIMEST will invest as an equity partner, while CDP will offer financial and advisory support to Lucchini RS. 

Integrated manufacturing platform planned

According to Jupiter Wagons, the project will create India’s first fully integrated private-sector facility for manufacturing:

  • Railway wheels
  • Axles
  • Wheelsets

The platform will manage the entire production cycle, from processing raw materials to creating finished products. The company believes that this partnership will enhance India’s capability to manufacture critical railway components and reduce reliance on imports.

Odisha facility to complete end-to-end production

The manufacturing platform will merge JTRWF’s existing facility at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar with a new manufacturing complex currently being built in Odisha. Once the Odisha plant is operational, it will allow for complete in-house production of railway wheels, axles, and wheelsets. This will make it India’s only fully integrated private railwheel manufacturing platform.

The partners also intend to use the facility to meet the growing demand from Indian Railways and other local customers while building an export base for international markets. Jupiter Wagons believes that this collaboration will improve India’s standing in the global railway manufacturing industry. By fusing European technology with Indian manufacturing, the company aims to serve both the domestic and international railway markets.

Also Read: Kochi Push for Cleaner Ferries : SWTD plans to introduce electric and solar ferries on Kochi’s backwaters

Kochi Push for Cleaner Ferries : SWTD plans to introduce electric and solar ferries on Kochi’s backwaters

KOCHI ( Metro Rail News): The Varapuzha Panchayat requested the State Water Transport Department (SWTD) to replace diesel boats with solar or electric powered vessels in ,busy Ernakulam-Varapuzha section.The request aims to cut pollution in Kochi’s backwaters.

The Ernakulam-Varapuzha route sees heavy traffic during morning and evening peak hours. Students and local commuters rely on these ferries every day. Diesel boats on this route add to air and water pollution.

According to data from Kochi Water Metro / SWTD (2024), and the IMO Fourth GHG Study (2020), A diesel ferry emits about 140g of carbon dioxide and 1.2g to 1.8g of nitrogen oxides per passenger per kilometre. Meanwhile an electric ferry emits only 21.6g of carbon dioxide and zero nitrogen oxides per passenger per kilometre. Switching to electric or solar boats would significantly reduce emissions on this popular route.

Most boats in Kochi’s waters still run on diesel.SWTD operates eight vessels including a rescue boat and KSINC (Kerala Shipping &Inland Navigation Corporation Ltd) operates 17 vessels including a luxury cruise and over 350 private vessels are running in conventional diseal. There is only one solar-diseal hybrid vessel called Sooryamshu , operated under KSINC.

In 2017, SWTD launched India’s first solar passenger ferry, Aditya, on the calm Vaikom–Thavanakkadavu route. However, it faced limitations that made it less suitable for busier waters like Kochi’s.

After discussion on  the panchayat letter at the SWTD meeting, the agency is now planning structural changes and new boats designed specifically for Kochi’s conditions. Nishijith K. Jhon, Managing Director of Neo Classic Cruises, told Economic Times Infra:“We are planning to introduce four electric vessels in our fleet. Earlier the cost of the battery and other components were high but now it has come down. The construction of our four vessels will begin in three months.”

Replacing diesel ferries with electric or solar-powered ones on the Ernakulam-Varapuzha section could make Kochi’s backwaters cleaner and healthier for daily passengers. The move supports lower emissions and a more sustainable water transport system in the city.

Also Read: Namo Bharat records highest ridership amidst Kanwar Yatra on Monday

Namo Bharat records highest ridership amidst Kanwar Yatra on Monday

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat observed its highest ridership on Monday (03rd August) with 1,49,922 commuters travelling through the corridor in a day amidst Kanwar Yatra. The previous record for highest ridership was observed on 8th June this year, with more than 1.25 lakh commuters travelling through the corridor for the first time.

The major reason for this sudden upsurge in the ridership was the Kanwar Yatra, where travellers choose the Namo Bharat as it offers a safe and convenient transport during high restrictions on roads to counter excessive crowds. The route is also a major link between Delhi and Haridwar, which at this time is mostly crowded due to a large number of devotees travelling to Haridwar. The sudden high movement encouraged people to use the Namo Bharat as an alternative to the congested traffic movement.

52 Additional Daily Trips 

National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) informed that between 30th July and 14th August, they will operate 52 additional daily trips. This was planned to cater the high volume of commuters travelling in the route during the Kanwar Yatra. They had made all the necessary security and logistics arrangements beforehand in response to the expected high footfall during the Kanwar Yatra.

The trains used to operate at a frequency of 10 minutes before the introduction of additional trips. During this time, however, the trains will run at a frequency of 8 minutes because of the incorporation of additional trips. 

About Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat

The Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat via Ghaziabad connects Sarai Kale Khan station in Delhi with Modipuram station in Meerut. The project is India’s first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), with a semi-high speed train network running at 180 kmph. The Namo Bharat project was introduced to decongest the National Capital Region and improve its connectivity with its satellite cities. 

Read this to know more about Namo Bharat expansion projects: Namo Bharat RRTS Expansion: NCRTC submitted DPRs of 4 corridors 

Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail: Vadodara Bullet Train Station enters final Structural Phase as steel erection begins 

VADODARA (Metro Rail News): The construction of the Vadodara Bullet Train Station has entered its final structural phase. Slab casting across all major levels is now complete. The project has moved to erecting structural steel, bringing the station closer to completion. The station will be an important interchange on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor. It will connect the bullet train network with Indian Railways and local public transport.

Major construction milestone achieved

The National High-Speed Rail project has completed slab casting at the concourse, track, and platform levels of the Vadodara Bullet Train Station. Construction teams have started erecting structural steel, marking another key milestone in the station’s development. The station is being built above Platform No. 7 of Vadodara railway station, near Pandya Bridge. This location allows passengers to transfer directly between high-speed rail services and the conventional railway network without leaving the station complex.

Designed for seamless connectivity

The location of the station has been chosen to improve connections across the city. Once operational, passengers will have easy access to:

  • Indian Railways’ Vadodara station  
  • Western Railway services  
  • City bus services  
  • Interstate bus depot  
  • Dedicated pick-up and drop-off areas  

The project also includes separate parking spaces for cars, buses, and auto-rickshaws to ease passenger movement around the station.

Design inspired by Vadodara’s identity

The station’s design draws inspiration from the Banyan tree, which has strong historical and cultural ties to Vadodara. The shape of the roof and overall design reflect the tree’s appearance. Inside the station, designers have planned large open areas with natural lighting and skylights to create a brighter environment for passengers.

Passenger facilities

The station will offer several amenities aimed at improving passenger comfort, including:

  • Waiting lounges  
  • Retail spaces  
  • Restrooms  
  • Baby care rooms  
  • Dedicated parking areas  
  • Separate pick-up and drop-off zones for different modes of transport  

Construction progress

Construction has achieved another key milestone with the completion of slab casting at the concourse, track, and platform levels. Project teams have now started erecting structural steel, marking the next major stage in building the station’s superstructure.

Also Read: Indian Railways strengthens Haldia Port connectivity with 18 projects covering 2,455 km

Indian Railways strengthens Haldia Port connectivity with 18 projects covering 2,455 km

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Indian Railways is developing 18 projects spanning 2,455 km to improve rail links for freight movement to Haldia Port in West Bengal. The aim is to boost cargo handling and logistics efficiency at one of India’s key eastern ports.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared the details in a written reply to a Rajya Sabha question by MP Biswajit Sinha.

Among these, eight projects worth ₹25,106 crore have been sanctioned, Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) has been completed for another eight projects and two projects are currently under survey for DPR preparation.

The minister noted that after DPR preparation, project sanction needs consultations with state governments and approvals from bodies such as NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Finance. Because the process is continuous, exact timelines cannot be fixed.

Total projects for improving the connectivity to Haldia Port

  1. Sanctioned Projects 
ProjectLengthSanctioned amount
Sonnagar-Andal 3rd & 4th Line375km13,606cr
Bhagalpur-Dumka-Rampurhat Doubling177km3,169cr
Santragachi-Kharagpur 4th Line111km2,905cr
Aluabari Road-New Jalpaiguri 3rd & 4th Line57km1,786cr
Sainthia-Pakur 4th Line81km1,569cr
Murarai-Barharwa 3rd Line49km978cr
Chandanpur-Shaktigarh 4th Line43km750cr
Pakur-Gumani 4th Line18km343cr
Total- ₹25,106 crore

Sonnagar-Andal 3rd & 4th line Land acquisition is mostly completed except forest diversion of 28 hectares. Works have been taken up for forest diversion, earthwork, bridges, ROBs, RUBs and station buildings.

  1. DPR Prepared
DPR preparedLength
New Jalpaiguri-Kamakhya 3rd & 4th Line445km
Kharagpur-Jharsuguda (Bagdehi) 4th Line367km
Kharagpur-Bhadrak (Ranitlal) 4th Line173km
Kumedpur-Aluabari 3rd & 4th Line129km
Barharwa-Bhagalpur 3rd & 4th Line128km
Malda Town-Kumedpur 3rd & 4th Line62km
Gumani-Malda 3rd & 4th Line59km
Andal-Sainthia 3rd & 4th Line73km
  1. Survey ongoing
Survey ongoing ProjectLength
Khanna-Sainthia 3rd Line (Final Location Survey sanctioned)84km
Panskura-Tamluk 3rd & 4th Line (Field Survey taken up)24km

In addition to the Haldia Port connectivity works, 1,187 km of other railway projects are currently under execution across West Bengal. The total budget allocation for infrastructure projects and safety works in West Bengal 2026-2027 is ₹14,205 Cr. more than three times compared to 2009-2014, which was ₹4,380 crore per year.

As on April 2026, 63 projects including 14 New Lines, 04 Gauge Conversions and 45 Doubling projects, covering a total length of 5,148 Km, costing ₹83,433 crore, falling fully/partly in West Bengal are sanctioned.

Also Read: Indian Railways loaded freight weighing equivalent to ~2,105 ‘Statue of Unity’ in July 2026

Indian Railways loaded freight weighing equivalent to ~2,105 ‘Statue of Unity’ in July 2026

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Indian Railways is bringing India closer than ever before. The Ministry of Railways issued a press release on Monday (03rd August) informing that the railway sector showed a 9% growth in carrying freight in July 2026 compared to that of July 2025. Besides this remarkable achievement, the passenger strength across the Indian Railways also showed a steady growth of more than 1.15 crore commuters. The weight of freight loading in July 2026 is approximately 141.3 million tonnes for comparison the weight of the Statute of Unity is around 67 thousand tonnes.

In July 2026, Indian Railways carried approximately 141.3 million tonnes of freight which shows a significant increase from 129.7 million tonnes in July 2026. Moreover, during the same period the passenger mobility also increased from 62.19 crore to 63.35 crore. This shows a healthy growth in railways freight loading and passenger mobility capacity strengthening the movement of goods and people and an overall growth of the economy.

 Furthermore, the rise in freight load resulted in an overall increase of ₹1,137 crores in the Indian railways’ freight revenue for the month compared to last year. This registered a staggering 8% growth in freight revenue. The growth was particularly higher in the East Central Railway and Eastern Railway with approximately 33% growth followed by the West Central Railway with 23% growth and the South Eastern Railway with 10.33% growth.

Among the goods loaded, iron ore loading increased by over 22%, coal and food grains by almost 11.5%, and fertilizers by 12%. The high mobility reflects a collective growth in India and an overall boost for the economy. The role of Indian Railways is significant in bringing Indian states closer, improving connectivity and strengthening the economy.

A Steady Increase in freight loading 

The ministry of railways recently presented the data of freight loading since 2014 in a written report in Rajya Sabha. The data is represented through the table below:

YEARFREIGHT LOADING (Million Tonnes)
2014-151098
2015-161104
2016-171109
2017-181162
2018-191223
2019-201210
2020-211233
2021-221418
2022-231512
2023-241591
2024-251617
2025-261670

Also Read: Delhi Metro’s outstanding JICA loan at ₹35,828 cr; DMRC has repaid nearly ₹9,948 cr from operations 

Texmaco Rail Q1 FY27 : Net Profit jumps 67% to ₹50 Cr despite revenue drop to 16.9%

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Texmaco Rail & Engineering, a leading Indian heavy engineering firm that makes railway freight wagons, coaches, locomotives and metro components, reported strong Q1 FY27 results on 3 August 2026.

Consolidated net profit rose 67% year-on-year to ₹50.04 crore, up from ₹29.99 crore in Q1 FY26. The gain came mainly from sharp cost cuts and better operating efficiency.

Operational revenue fell 16.9% to ₹756.68 crore (from ₹910.60 crore). Total income dropped 15.6% to ₹775.21 crore, even though other income rose to ₹18.53 crore.

Total expenses declined to ₹737.10 crore from ₹881.26 crore. This was primarily driven by raw material expenses falling to ₹555.27 crore from ₹760.76 crore. The Freight Car Division recorded a 28.37% fall in revenue to ₹522.12 crore down from ₹728.96 crore. Infra-Rail & Green Energy revenue dropped to ₹59.87 crore from ₹82.84 crore.

Both divisions’ wagon manufacturing and rail infrastructure experienced lower sales compared to last year.Despite the revenue dip, tighter cost control lifted profitability significantly.

Also Read: Delhi Metro’s outstanding JICA loan at ₹35,828 cr; DMRC has repaid nearly ₹9,948 cr from operations 

Delhi Metro’s outstanding JICA loan at ₹35,828 cr; DMRC has repaid nearly ₹9,948 cr from operations 

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The outstanding principal loan of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) was ₹35,828 crore as of June 2026, as reported by the Union Government to the Rajya Sabha. The government also stated that DMRC has repaid ₹9,948.09 crore from its operational revenue over the years. Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu shared these figures in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.  

Outstanding JICA loan remains above ₹35,000

Delhi Metro has depended on long-term funding from JICA to develop several phases of its network. The outstanding principal loan payable by DMRC was ₹35,828 crore in June 2026 at the current exchange rate. The minister indicated that the sanction orders for Delhi Metro projects already include plans for loan repayment, making sure the repayment process is part of the project’s financial structure.  

Centre and Delhi Government continue financial support  

The government also provided details about financial support given over the last five years.  

Funding released during the last five years:  

  • Central Government: ₹6,604.37 crore  
  • Delhi Government: ₹6,155.44 crore

The funds include equity, grants, and subordinate debt for various phases of the Delhi Metro network’s implementation.  

DMRC repaying loan through operational revenue

The minister informed Parliament that DMRC has repaid nearly ₹9,948.09 crore to JICA using its operational revenue. He also mentioned that the corporation is strengthening its finances by increasing non-fare box revenue through commercial activities, which helps keep fares affordable for commuters.  

Fare revision follows existing law

In response to questions about Metro fares, Tokhan Sahu said fare setting is done according to the Metro Railways (Operation and Maintenance) Act, 2002. He added that commuter affordability is a crucial factor in fare revisions. Meanwhile, DMRC continues to boost revenue from advertising, property development, and other commercial sources to lessen its reliance on fare income.

Also Read: Metro-Like Experience on Roads: PCMC Approves ₹85 Lakh for Maharashtra’s first e-RTS DPR