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Centre to come out with new Metro Rail policy for future metro rail projects

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Centre to come out with new Metro Rail policy for future metro rail projects

New Delhi: The Centre will come out with a new Metro Rail policy for future projects, in line with the government-approved National Policy on Transit Oriented Development (TOD), Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu said here today.

“The Centre is formulating a new Metro Rail policy to enable innovative finance such as land value capture, transit- oriented development for new Metro Rail projects,” he said.

Besides the new metro policy, a National Policy on Transit Oriented Development (TOD) has been formulated and approved by the Union government, he said.

This will form a mandatory requirement for all new metro projects in the country, Naidu said.

The minister made the remarks after flagging off the first underground Metro Rail service from Tirumangalam to Nehru Park here, in the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami.

Naidu said the Centre has standardised critical specifications of rolling stock and signalling systems of Metro Rail for promoting standardisation and indigenisation.

He said the government was also planning to roll out a ‘green urban mobility’ scheme, aimed at improving overall travel facilities in cities by providing last mile connectivity through non-motorised transport like pedestrian pathways and bicycle sharing.

Referring to the new metro line here, Naidu said 28 kms of a total length of 45 kms in Phase 1 of the project will now be operational.

“This project was sanctioned by Government of India at a cost of Rs 14,600 crore. The government has so far released about Rs 11,301 crore for the Chennai Metro project,” he said.

“With today’s launch of the line, around 341 kms of metro rail has become operational in New Delhi, the National Capital Region including Gurgaon, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Jaipur and Mumbai. Around 529 kms are at present under construction in places like Delhi, NCR, Kolkata, Chennai, Jaipur, Mumbai, Kochi and Ahmedabad,” Naidu said.

(This article has not been edited by Metro Rail News’s editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)

Vijayawada Metro | Centre refuses to approve the Rs 6,847 crore proposed metro project

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Vijayawada Metro | Centre refuses to approve the Rs 6,847 crore proposed metro project

The Union finance ministry has refused to approve the Rs 6,847 crore proposed Vijayawada Metro Rail project till such time the Centre finalises the Metro rail policy while raising questions whether it is financially viable.

The Andhra Pradesh government is pushing for the Vijayawada Metro project, citing how the city is the gateway to the new capital of Amravati and is expected to see a spurt in population and traffic in the near future.

Union urban development minister, M Venkaiah Naidu, who is from the state, is also batting for the project.

Government sources said that finance secretary Ashok Lavasa has raised “concern” over the low financial internal rate of return (FIRR) of the project. FIRR is largely based on cost and returns of the project.

“The FIRR of the Vijayawada Metro is around 3%. Currently, metro projects are cleared if the FIRR is 8%,” said a finance ministry official.

The Vijayawada Metro proposal came up for approval on March 20 at the finance ministry’s Public Investment Board meeting.

It is only after the Public Investment Board – headed by the finance secretary – appraises and gives its green signal, that a project is placed before the cabinet for final approval.

Alstom commissions ATO system for Parisian RER A network in France

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Alstom commissions ATO system for Parisian RER A network in France

The Alstom-developed Automatic Train Operation system has commenced operations on the central section of the Parisian RER A between Nanterre-Préfecture, Val-de-Fontenay and Fontenay-sous-Bois in France.

A double-deck MI09 train began operations on the line last month, which has also been developed and supplied by Alstom.

The new system will complement the driver assistance, operation and maintenance system (SACEM) installed in 1989 to improve the performance and frequency of the RER A line, which transports an estimated 1.2 million passengers daily.

Automatic operation will be gradually implemented through November next year on the entire fleet of 183 two-level trains (MI2N and MI09) currently operating on line A.

Alstom France president Jean-Baptiste Eyméoud said: “Alstom is very proud to participate in this project, which is vital for mobility in the Ile de France region.

Alstom’s French signalling teams, based in Saint-Ouen and Villeurbanne, are putting all their expertise and enthusiasm into providing an innovative, reliable solution capable of operating with an older system.

“This project will be an impressive showcase for Alstom’s signalling know-how.”

Alstom secured the contract from the Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP), the Syndicat des Transports d’Île-de-France (STIF) and the Ile-de-France Region in January 2015 for the development and installation of the automatic operation system along line A.

The €20m contract included various detailed studies, manufacture of the prototype and equipment for the trains, in addition to testing and project assistance services.

The solution is expected to improve the regularity of the line with an increase in commercial speed by 5km/h upon its integration with SACEM.

SACEM system was also co-developed and implemented by Alstom, and has been utilised to ensure performance and safety of Line A since 1989.

Alstom also has also deployed similar solutions for SACEM in Mexico and Hong Kong.

Source: Railway Technology

Delhi Metro | Reliance Infra wins arbitration against Delhi Metro Airport Express Line case

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Delhi Metro | Reliance Infra wins arbitration against Delhi Metro Airport Express Line case

New Delhi: Delhi Airport Metro Express (DAMEPL), a subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure, has won an arbitration against Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) of Rs 2950 crore.

The award to the company has been granted on the basis of termination provisions of the Concession Agreement where the arbitration tribunal has held termination by DAMEPL as valid.

The three member arbitration tribunal, formed out of a DMRC nominated panel as per the Concession Agreement in September 2013, gave its award after hearing the case for almost four years.

“Reliance Infrastructure participated in the PPP (public private partnership) model in the metro sector to lead the metro movement in the country through PPP but unfortunately had to terminate the agreement. We welcome the award and hope it will encourage the private sector to participate in the nation building process,” Reliance Infrastructure spokesperson said in a statement.

The company will repay the lender’s debt of Rs 1900 crore from the proceeds to eight public sector banks, while the company will get Rs 1050 crore as it had invested in the SPV.

Kochi Metro | KMRL starts metro trial run, to be operational in June 2017

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Kochi Metro | KMRL starts metro trial run, to be operational in June 2017

Kochi: The first service trials of the Kochi Metro train began today paving the way for commercial operations. The metro train service will commence from June, an official said.

The trial runs began at 6 am. There are 142 listed trial runs till 9 pm. Trains with four coaches are undergoing the service trials.

Even though the Rs. 5,180 crore project would run 25 km from Alwaye to Petta, the opening in June would see the train service operating a distance of 13 km from Alwaye to Palarivattom.

The trials included every procedure — signalling, status display at the stations and the announcements for passengers. Every aspect was being checked.

Authorities are now waiting for the exact date from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to officially open the service.

Elias George, who is heading the Kochi Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC) is a proud person as this would be the fastest completed Metro project in the country.

It was the Oommen Chandy government which took up the ambitious project after it was first mooted by him in 2005.

Later when the VS Achuthanandan government took over in 2006, the project went into a limbo, only to be put back on track by Mr Chandy again in 2011.

Work on Kochi Metro began in 2012 after Chandy’s government entrusted the project to DMRC with its principal advisor Sreedharan overseeing it.

Last week the Railway Safety Commissioner gave the nod after checking the entire facility for three days.

There are 11 stations in the 13 km stretch that is being pressed into service. Six of these stations have been fully completed and the remaining ones would be ready in two weeks time, the official added.

Mr Chandy in 2016 flagged off the first test run of the project.

Delhi Metro | DMRC revised metro fares min. Rs10 and Max Rs.50

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Delhi Metro | DMRC revised metro fares min. Rs10 and Max Rs.50

New Delhi: After eight years, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has revised its fares bringing up the minimum ticket price from Rs. 8 to Rs. 10. The maximum fare will be Rs. 50 instead of the current Rs. 30. The new fares, which cuts down the existing 15 fare slabs to six, will come into effect from Wednesday. A second fare revision will take place on October 1.

The hike – which is up to 66 per cent — was announced by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation or DMRC after a board meeting today. It brings Delhi metro’s fare on par with Chennai and Bengaluru. With a base fare of Rs. 5, only Kolkata now pays less.

The new in-between fare slabs will be Rs. 15 for 2-5 km, Rs. 20 for 5-12 km, Rs. 30 for 12-21 km and Rs.40 for 21-32 km. The existing 10 percent discount for smartcard holders will continue. Plus, to cut down on overcrowding, a 10 per cent extra discount will also be offered during non-peak hours, which would be 6 to 8 am, noon to 5 pm and 9 pm onwards. Smart card holders who exit during these hours will get the additional discount.

On Sundays and national holidays, the slabs will be lower – the maximum fare will be Rs. 40.

This was the fourth time the fares have been revised since the Metro started rolling in 2002 – the last revision was in 2009. The decision to review fare came after repeated requests from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation citing high overhead costs, including electricity.

While Metro has become Delhi’s favourite mode of travel since its inception in 2002, with footfall of around 3 million a day, the urban development ministry had told Parliament that DMRC suffered a net loss of Rs. 708.5 crore in 2015-2016.

Last June, the government set up a three-member committee under former Delhi High Court judge, Justice (Retired) M.L. Mehta to look into fare revision issue. The report, submitted in September, suggested the current fare slabs.

Chennai Metro | CMRL to begin underground corridor for public from May 14, 2017

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Chennai Metro | CMRL to begin underground corridor for public from May 14, 2017

Chennai: The most-awaited first underground stretch of Chennai Metro Rail will be operational on Sunday. With this, Chennai becomes the fourth city in the country to launch such a facility after Kolkata, Delhi and Bengaluru. The metro line will cover a distance of eight kilometres from Nehru Park to Koyambedu. The train would pass through tunnels and seven underground stations in order to connect the operational line at Koyambedu. The metro line will be thrown open for public on Sunday. Meanwhile, the stations are also built underneath prime locations in the city that gives travellers easy access. The underground stretch will have only two entry and exit points initially which would later be increased.

When the first underground stretch is opened on Sunday, passengers across the city can travel a distance of 17 km from Nehru Park to Chennai airport. The maximum fare will increase to Rs 60 for the 17-km stretch from Nehru Park to Chennai airport when this stretch becomes operational. As of now, the metro fares range between Rs 10 and Rs 50 for the general class and Rs 20 and Rs100 for the special class.

Salient features of the Chennai Metro:

  • The underground stations will be air-conditioned and equipped with a special feature called ‘platform screen doors’, unlike on the elevated stretch.
  • This would prevent commuters from accessing the tracks.
  • The Chennai Metro Rail is built at a cost of Rs 14,600 crore.
  • The line will cover a distance of 8 kilometres from Nehru Park to Koyambedu.
  • This would be the third Metro stretch to become operational since the project was launched in 2012.
  • The existing routes Koyambedu to Alandur and Little Mount to Chennai airport have been elevated.

The much anticipated Chennai metro rail will be inaugurated after a wait for two weeks and Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu is likely to attend the inauguration ceremony. The first service of the metro was from Koyambedu to Alandur in June 2015. The second stretch from Little Mount to Chennai airport was opened to public in last September.

Ease for Commuters

  • The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has split the six stations into two groups.
  • Stations that include Tondiarpet, Toll Gate and Thangal form the first group.
  • The other stations including Gowri Ashram, Tiruvottiyur and Wimco Nagar form the second group. Out of the total 9km line, trains will run underground in a 3km stretch from Washermenpet to Korukkupet, a TOI report stated.
  • The metro stations are also located close to stops for MTC buses which can help passengers travel across the city.
  • The metro line stations will connect Kilpauk, New Avadi Road, Shenoy Nagar, Aminjikarai, Anna Nagar and Thirumangalam.

At present, about 10,000-12,000 people travel on the two stretches Koyambedu to Alandur and Little Mount to Chennai airport and this underground metro rail is believed to take up the number up to a new level.

As per reports, the total expenditure included 15% as Centre’s contribution as share capital and 5% as loans, while the Tamil Nadu government’s contribution at 15% in share capital and 5.78% as loans. The rest 59.22% has been sourced as loan from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Rapid Metro Gurgaon denies entry to “shabbily dressed” kids in Metro

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Rapid Metro Gurgaon denies entry to “shabbily dressed” kids in Metro

Gurugram: On Tuesday, when it courted limelight with the chief minister officially launching its second phase in Gurgaon, Rapid Metro also found itself dragged into a controversy when it was accused of denying entry to “shabbily dressed” kids.

The post was written by a commuter, Shivanya Pandey, who referred to an episode she witnessed on May 1, just a day before the inauguration, to write on Facebook that four to six poor children had been denied into IndusInd Bank Cyber City Metro station because they were dressed shabbily and sweating even though they were paying the fares. She also emailed a complaint to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights

Rapid Metro denied doing so, saying the kids had only been turned away because they could not buy tickets. “They were politely asked to go because they did not have the money for the fare,” said a spokesperson.
“The criteria for travel in the Metro system, as per guidelines laid down by Metro Act, is for commuters to be able to furnish requisite fare either by token or valid travel card as well as comply with security guidelines. In this instance, the criteria wasn’t met.

Rapid Metro does not discriminate towards any citizen and our teams are trained to treat all citizen commuters with respect and dignity,” the spokesperson added.
But before that, Shivanya’s post had already elicited a strong reaction from women and child development minister Maneka Gandhi, who promised action and asked Delhi Metro managing director Mangu Singh to probe the incident.

The DMRC later clarified that Rapid Metro does not come under it. Incidentally, around 30 penurious kids travelled with the Haryana CM in the train on Tuesday during the inauguration of Phase 2. The chief minister said most of those kids had never travelled in a Metro train before.

Kochi Metro | CMRS starts inspection of Kochi Metro Rail Project

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Kochi Metro | CMRS starts inspection of Kochi Metro Rail Project

Kochi: Even as the commissioner of metro rail safety (CMRS) begins inspection of Kochi Metro Rail Project from Aluva to Palarivattom on Wednesday, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) speeds up the works between Palarivattom and Maharaja’s College. A team of DMRC officials inspected the progress of the work on this stretch.

“We want to complete the work up to Maharaja’s College by September. As of the now, the track laying works are over. The traction work is in progress, and we expect to complete it by May-end. Then signalling work will have to be taken up,” said a DMRC official.

He also said that structure works of the Metro stations between Palarivattom and Maharaja’s College were over.

DMRC officials said that the decision regarding awarding of various contracts for works between Maharaja’s College and Pettah was expected by May-end.

Meanwhile, K A Manoharan (Bengaluru southern circle of the CMRS) and his team began inspection. KMRL managing director received the team at Aluva station. They are in the city to conduct a three-day scrutiny of Kochi Metro as part of the procedures before the commissioning of Metro train operations.

KMRL said that they were ready with the safety reports issued by various agencies and all required documents for CMRS inspection.

“Our senior officials explained the details to CMRS and his team. On the first day, the officials inspected the Metro viaduct, track and stations from Aluva to Muttom. This included stations at Aluva, Pulinchuvadu, Companypady, Ambattukavu and Muttom,” said KMRL spokesperson.

She said that on Thursday, the team would inspect the track, viaduct and stations from Kalamassery to Edappally.

On the final day, they would check flawless operation and safety on the Edappally – Palarivattom stretch. They would also analyze the work and operation of operation control centre (OCC) and other facilities at the Muttom Yard, said the spokesperson.
 “Once the clearance of CMRS is obtained, the Kochi Metro will attain the status of being the first Metro project in the country to be commissioned within the shortest time span,” said a KMRL official. However, regarding completion of works on the Aluva-Palarivattom stretch, the DMRC said that they had completed almost all works at stations except those at Edappally and Changampuzha Park.
 “This will not be a hindrance for CMRS inspection. All the works will be over by June,” said the DMRC official adding that once they complete the works, KMRL will have to undertake remaining works such as doing interiors and exteriors of the building.
Source: TNN

Delhi Metro | High Courts slams DMRC, CISF after girl goes missing

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Delhi Metro | High Courts slams DMRC, CISF after girl goes missing

New Delhi: Taking suo moto cognisance of a media report about a 19-year-old mute and hearing impaired woman going missing at the Adarsh Nagar Metro station, the Delhi High court slammed the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on Wednesday.

“How could a girl, who did not have a token, leave the Metro premises? What were they doing? Had they been vigilant, she would have not been lost. They should be hauled up for this,” a Bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Deepa Sharma stated.

Last Friday, the girl, her mother, and her sister were to get down from the Metro at the Jahangirpuri station but she couldn’t and was separated from her family. CISF sources said she was later seen coming out of the next Metro station, Adarsh Nagar, in a CCTV footage. She was seen exiting through the gates without a token but nobody stopped her because there was no guard deployed at the exit gate.”How could a girl, who did not have a token, leave the Metro premises? What were they doing? Had they been vigilant, she would have not been lost. They should be hauled up for this,” a Bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Deepa Sharma stated.

On its part, the CISF spokesperson said the force had written to the Ministry of Home Affairs last year only, seeking permission to deploy a man at the exit gates, after two masked men robbed a station controller and stabbed him. Nothing, however, was done in this regard.

“A robbery accused was seen walking out of the gate after attacking a DMRC staffer. After that, the CISF had requested the ministry to allow deployment at the AFC gates to keep a check on unauthorised entries. The ministry’s response is still awaited,” a senior CISF officer said.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police informed the court that they would constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to ascertain the whereabouts of the girl and will expand their search to neighbouring states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The cops also said that they would conduct searches at red-light areas.

Appearing for the Delhi Police, counsel Rahul Mehra said there were chances that the girl was kidnapped. He said they were going to release her photo on social media and put it on auto-rickshaws.The court then directed the Delhi police to release pictures on social media in all the missing cases without fail. “The use of technology can be done to circulate photos It should be done in all cases,” the Bench said.

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