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Metrino Project | Global bids for Gurgaon pod taxis in April 2016

Narendra Shah
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Metrino Project | Global bids for Gurgaon pod taxis in April 2016

New Delhi: Pod taxis, an idea with which Indian states have flirted for years, will finally debut in Gurgaon.

The National Highways Authority of India has laid the groundwork to roll out India’s first personal rapid transit (PRT) network and will invite global bids for the project within the next fortnight. The pilot project will span a 13km stretch from the Gurgaon-Delhi border to Badshapur Mod on Sohna Road and is estimated to cost Rs 850 crore.

A project called the Metrino (in pic) -a PRT system in which pods are suspended from an overhead rail -has been under consideration for a while. Every pod can take up to five passengers. For the pilot project route, 16 stations have been planned, starting near Ambience Mall. A personal rapid transit (PRT) network is made up of small automated vehicles running at close intervals on a guideway with docking stations for passengers to get on and get off.While a pod can accommodate up to five people, there is also an option to hire an entire pod that will take a passenger straight to the destination, skipping the scheduled stops. The average speed of the pods is 60kmph.

A senior NHAI official said the network would be built within a year of the contract being awarded. “Pod taxi systems are best suited for this. We are keeping our options open, though, so that private players can come up with best system, including skyrail,” the official said. A skyrail is also a PRT system, but is more similar to a ropeway .

The NHAI official said land required for the project is already available with it and Haryana government agencies. The project does not need forest and environmental clearance. As for financing, the entire investment will be made by the private company that sets up the PRT. Under the terms of the agreement, the company will recover its investment in 25 years through tickets.

Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari had announced last year that Metrinos will run between Dhaula Kuan in Delhi and Manesar. The overhead network for Metrinos has been planned along the expressway . Prime Minister Narendra Modi had travelled in a pod in Masdar City during his last visit to the United Arab Emirates.

The Punjab and Haryana governments had, in the past, announced a rollout of pod taxis in Amritsar and Gurgaon, but these never came to fruition.
According to estimates prepared by the NHAI, while building a kilometre of Metro costs at least Rs 250 crore and of monorail Rs 200 crore, the Metrino system can be built with just Rs 70 crore. It’s lighter as well.

“The NHAI will roll out the project soon. We have set a target of a year. Subsequently , we could extend this to Dhaula Kuan and Manesar on each side,” said the NHAI official.

Alstom wins the ‘Excellence in ‘Make-in-India’ award

Narendra Shah
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New Delhi: Alstom won the award for ‘Excellence in ‘Make-in-India’ category at the recently concluded ‘Metro Rail India Summit 2016’ re-affirming Alstom’s strong localisation in India as a result of its customer’s proximity strategy. The summit held on March 11, 2016 in New Delhi is India’s premier forum to address the issues related to the further development of metro rail in India.

Alstom is continuously pushing the edge of technology with fully equipped 100% localised, competitive, innovative and high value products to serve the ever growing urban and mainline transportation Indian market with employee strength of close to 1,700 people. In India, Alstom has two manufacturing facilities, Sri City (for manufacturing of metro trainsets) and Coimbatore (for traction equipment production) and an engineering innovation hub in Bangalore. Striving for excellence for the technology advancement, the facilities are the spearhead of Alstom group’s focus on innovation & quality in both urban and mainline transport market. Alstom has strong presence in India where the company has been awarded important metro projects for cities including Chennai, Delhi and Kochi.

“Alstom has been in India for over 100 years. In line with Government of India’s “Make in India” programme, Alstom has been investing heavily in the country. This award reaffirms and showcases our readiness and commitment to the Indian transport sector” – states Bharat Salhotra, Managing Director, Alstom India.

The Summit saw participation of more than 200 government officials, decision makers, planners, technology experts as well as project leaders to address specific challenges across key aspects like finance, planning, technology, mobility, signaling and control, as well as operations, safety and maintenance in urban transport sector.

Lucknow Metro | LMRC adjudged the best Metro project for ‘Excellence in Innovative Designs’

Narendra Shah
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Lucknow Metro | LMRC adjudged the best Metro project for ‘Excellence in Innovative Designs’

New Delhi: In a significant development, Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation (LMRC) has been adjudged the best Metro project for ‘Excellence in Innovative Designs’ at the recently concluded 5th Annual Metro Rail India Summit, 2016.

Shri Kumar Keshav, Managing Director/LMRC, received the trophy in presence of Shri Daljeet Singh, Director (Works & Infrastructure)/LMRC and other distinguished personalities.

The summit which was organised on 11th March, 2016 at New Delhi was attended by various Metro rail companies such as Jaipur Metro, Mumbai Metro, L&T Metro Rail, RVNL, Lucknow Metro and other companies, consultants and manufacturers associated with Metro rail projects.

Merto Rail India Summit is India’s premier forum to address the issues related to the further development of Metro Rail in India. The event features active participation of government officials, decision makers, planners, technology experts as well as project leaders to address specific challenges across key aspects like finance, planning, technology, mobility, signalling and control as well as operations, safety and maintenance.

Metro Rail News was a proud Media Partner of 5th Annual Metro Rail India Summit, 2016.

Delhi Metro | Exhibition to promote Heritage inaugurated at Green Park Metro Station

Narendra Shah
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Delhi Metro | Exhibition to promote Heritage inaugurated at Green Park Metro Station

New Delhi: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in association with Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage (INTACH) inaugurated an exhibition today at the Green Park Metro station. The exhibition displays photographs and information of the heritage sites around Green Park Metro station with an objective to promote heritage by taking these subjects to the common man / commuters.

The exhibition is a collection of unique photographs, line drawings and small installations depicting crafts produced in the Huaz-khas and Shahpurjat village. The exhibition brings to life the monuments and the bustling spaces within the Hauz-Khas and Shahpurjat precincts that surround the Green Park Metro station. The exhibition also showcases unique photographs chronicling the richness and splendour of the monuments from the medieval city of Siri, one of the seven cities of the 14th Century Delhi along with the photographs of the royal tank of Hauz-Khas, the madrasa founded by sultan Firoz Shah Tughluk in the 14th century, several exquisite mosques and splendid tombs.

The exhibition was jointly inaugurated by Mr. Sharat Sharma, Director (Operations)/DMRC and Maj. Gen. L.K. Gupta (Retd.), Chairman and Dr. C.T.Misra, INTACH in the presence of other senior officials from DMRC and INTACH. The Green Park Exhibition which is displayed in the concourse area of the station is Curated and Designed by Ms. Bindu Manchanda, Co-Curators, Mr..Anil Browne & Mr.Anshu Ahuja, INTACH.

INTACH, a non-profit NGO, is recognized as one of the world’s largest heritage organizations, with over 180 Chapters across the country. This exhibition is in continuation with the Delhi Metro’s endeavours to utilize its premises for the promotion of Indian heritage, art and culture.

DMRC in recent times have collaborated with many other institutes/organisations to showcase Indian art, culture, heritage (Indian and World)  literature etc. through its stations. This includes tie ups with the Ministry of Textile, Delhi Tourism, India Habitat Centre, Indian Council of Historical Research, the Crafts Museum, National Museum, National Book Trust, Sahitya Akademy as well as independent artists for setting up display panels, art works etc. at the Metro stations across the network.

Chennai Metro | Chennai Metro Rail phase 1 extension likely by 2019

Narendra Shah
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Chennai: Chennai Metro Rail’s phase I extension from Washermenpet to Wimco Nagar may get its final approval soon after elections, and it is likely to be completed by 2019.

According to sources at Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), the project has received clearance from the Finance Ministry and has been sent to the Union Cabinet for final approval.

“We have already called for tenders for the underground section of the project sometime ago. Once the final approval comes in, full-fledged work may begin. Once the work commences, we plan to finish it in three years,” an official said.

While CMRL officials have called for tenders for the underground stretch, they are also in the process of acquiring land for the project. After the final clearance comes from the Union Cabinet, they plan to call for tenders for the elevated stretch too.

Chennai Metro Rail’s phase I extension is estimated to cost Rs. 3,700 crore and cover 9 km of North Chennai from Washermenpet to Wimco Nagar. The first portion of the corridor from Washermenpet to Korukkupet will be underground and the alignment continues beyond this junction as an elevated stretch up to Wimco Nagar.

This project has had a long wait for approval. Though the State government gave its approval in 2010 after the soil tests were completed, the Centre’s permission is yet to come. Sometime ago, Union Minister for Urban Development M. Venkaiah Naidu had announced that his Ministry had given clearance and sent the project to the Finance Ministry for approval. Now, the project waits for the final nod of the Union Cabinet.

The first service of Chennai Metro Rail phase I from Koyambedu to Alandur was thrown open to the public in July last. The next stretch from Little Mount to Chennai Airport is likely to be completed in the next few months.

Pune Metro | Metro rail project sidelined yet again in Maharashtra Budget

Narendra Shah
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Pune Metro | Metro rail project sidelined yet again in Maharashtra Budget

The BJP-led state government has followed the Centre footsteps by earmarking a limited budgetary provision for Pune Metro rail project, sidelining the city again.

“The allocation of Rs 180 crore for Metro rail of Pune and Nagpur has been made for 2016-17,” said state finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar in his Budget speech in the state assembly on Friday. It has been learnt that Rs 45 crore has been allotted by the state government to Pune Metro rail while Rs 135 crore for Nagpur Metro rail. Earlier, the Centre in its Budget for 2016-17 made a provision of Rs 10 crore for Pune Metro rail while allocating Rs 605 crore for Nagpur Metro rail.

“It was expected that the state would make less provision to Pune Metro rail. The Nagpur Metro rail got a good allocation from the Centre and the state made contribution accordingly towards it,” said a PMC officer.

The ruling NCP in PMC had already expressed displeasure over the Centre making less budgetary provision for Pune. Mayor Prashant Jagtap had said that he would protest against the government for the poor allocation for Pune Metro rail.

“The PMC would take up the issue with the state government as all administrative process for Pune Metro rail was completed but the Centre was not giving approval for it,” he said, adding, this is despite the BJP leaders representing eight assembly seats from the city and Lok Sabha seat of Pune.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation had submitted the proposal for Pune Metro rail in 2009 estimating the project cost to be Rs 7,984 crore which was revised in 2015 with new estimate to Rs 11,522 crore. The cost is for the two routes from Swargate to Pimpri-Chinchwad and Vanaz to Ramwadi.

Kochi Metro | KMRL seeks pollution report from DMRC

Narendra Shah
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Kochi Metro | KMRL seeks pollution report from DMRC

Kochi: The Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) has sought an action taken report (ATR) from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on steps taken to check dust pollution during the construction of Metro rail.

KMRL officials said that they had received the letter from Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) on measures that needs to be implemented to bring pollution under control. “We will take a call after we get the ATR. Based on that, we will decide if we need to do anything more,” KMRL spokesperson said.

Since the construction work is being executed by the central agency, they have taken measures to ensure that pollution levels are under control, the official said.

The agency will look into PCB’s suggestion to put up a digital monitoring system that will record the pollution level.

Meanwhile, DMRC officials said that small-scale piling was going on at Palarivattom and the SA Road stretch. “The wetting is being done at least three times a day on the entire stretch. Debris has been cleared in several stretches,” a DMRC official said.

The construction of sub-structure on the Aluva-MG Road stretch is almost over and the ongoing work does not result in much dust pollution. “DMRC is very conscious of its social responsibility and we are monitoring contractors who are familiar with our work culture,” he said.
The Metro work has now moved on to Vyttila stretch. “We will hand over the stretch till Palarivattom by August,” he added.

The respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) has risen on MG Road, Ernakulam south, Vyttila and Irumpanam over the last couple of years, as per data from four monitoring stations. Due to complaints from the general public, the KSPCB has asked Metro agencies to take steps to reduce dust pollution and clear construction debris.

Noida Metro | Chinese firm to supply coaches for Noida Metro

Narendra Shah
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Noida Metro | Chinese firm to supply coaches for Noida Metro

Noida: Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for supply of trains with CRRC Nanjing Corporation Limited, a Chinese state-owned rolling stock manufacturer, for the Noida-Greater Noida track, on Thursday.

The Rs 800-crore deal has been finalized more than two months after the financial bids for the supply of rolling stock for the project were finalized. CRRC will supply 76 coaches for the 29-km Metro corridor by May 2017. Each Metro car will come at a cost of about Rs 11 crore.

According to DMRC officials, the deal was signed between president/GM Li Dingnan of CRRC Nanjing Corporation Limited’s and H S Anand, director (Rolling Stock), DMRC, at Metro Bhawan in Delhi in the presence of Mangu Singh, director DMRC, and other senior officials of Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC).

DMRC officials said, the delivery of trains will be done in about 76 weeks or earlier. “Trains should start coming in before 76 weeks and should be in place by May 2017. These 76 coaches are the corridor’s requirement up to 2021,” said an official.

The trains will support four coaches each as against the earlier plan of three-coach trains. Officials said the number of cars have been increased following DMRC’s experience and study of traffic patterns.

A total of 19 trains will run between Noida and Greater Noida at a frequency of 10 minutes initially and five minutes later to address the peak-hour rush.

Each coach will having the capacity of carrying 370 passengers. With habitation expected to increase in the future, DMRC could increase the rolling stock to six-coach trains in the future. The longer trains will cater to the expected traffic along the route between the twin cities, officials said.

The proposed design for the Metro coaches has already been approved by Rama Raman, chairperson, of the three authorities of Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway areas. The coaches would be state-of-the art and laced with modern technology. A model of the coach has been readied and approved, said NMRC officials.

Once the track is in place it would not only provide a fast link between the two townships but also bring these places closer to the national capital.

The track is expected to be commissioned by December 2017. Estimated to cost Rs 5533 crore, the track is to have Sector 71 in Noida as its originating station, while the last station will be in Bodaki, Greater Noida.

Chennai Metro | Safety audit for next section of Metro Rail in three months

Narendra Shah
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Chennai Metro | Safety audit for next section of Metro Rail in three months

Chennai: Chennai Metro Rail plans to seek permission for the official safety audit clearance for the next service from Little Mount to Chennai Airport in three months.

Before throwing open any stretch for public use, Chennai Metro Rail must get a clearance from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS).

They will visit the stations, take a ride in the train through the stretch and inspect various aspects before issuing a certificate of approval for beginning the commercial service.

According to sources, the CMRS may be invited in about three months for inspection of the stations from Little Mount to Chennai Airport and St. Thomas Mount.

“Only after they give clearance can we pick a date for commencing the services in the next stretch,” a source said.

This mandatory process of CMRS inspection and certification was carried out before the first service of Chennai Metro Rail from Koyambedu to Alandur was open to public.

Chennai Metro Rail had its first service launched only in June last year though the official deadline of the entire project was 2015.

There was a delay due to contractors making tardy progress and their subsequent termination.

For instance, Consolidated Construction Consortium Limited (CCCL), which was in charge of constructing stations from Koyambedu and Alandur, had failed to keep up with deadlines and its contract was terminated.

Then, retendering work started and a fresh contract was awarded. Now, tickets are priced between Rs. 10 and Rs. 40 and nine trains are running on this stretch.

Kanpur Metro | UP Cabinet clears decks for Kanpur Metro Rail

Narendra Shah
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Kanpur Metro | UP Cabinet clears decks for Kanpur Metro Rail
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on Monday cleared the decks for Kanpur Metro Rail with its approval of the detailed project report (DPR) of the proposed project.

The DRP, which had been prepared by RITES, had proposed Kanpur Metro project totalling 32 km spanning two corridors and 31 stations, including 19 elevated and 12 underground.

The decision was taken at the state Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav here. According to rates prevailing in August 2015, the project is estimated to cost Rs 13,721 crore.

The Cabinet has also authorised Yadav to take decisions with regards to amendment or changes in the project, since the central government would also come on board with its suggestions in later stages.

While the Lucknow Metro Rail project is already underway, next in line after the Kanpur Metro would be the proposed Varanasi Metro project. According to sources, the DPR for Varanasi Metro is also awaiting the state Cabinet’s nod.

“It is possible for the Kanpur and Varanasi metro projects to start before December 2016, if the DPR gets timely clearances by all the departments and agencies,” principal advisor to Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation (LMRC) E Sreedharan had said during his visit to Lucknow last month.

The first phase of the Lucknow Metro Rail project is fast nearing completion and trial runs are projected to start from November after passenger coaches start arriving from September 2016.

Earlier, the train, according to the contract, was expected to arrive in November and trial runs were set to start from December 2016.

However, with the civil works progressing well, LMRC has been trying to start trials earlier, so that the project is completed in a shorter time span than planned.
After the DPR is cleared by the state Cabinet, it is forwarded to the Centre for vetting, since these are joint venture projects.
The DPR is cleared by the Union Urban Development Ministry, but needs clearances by other departments, including finance, railways, civil aviation, as well. The clearance of DPR by the central departments could typically take 2-3 months.
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