Home Blog Page 894

Women only experience at Delhi Metro

Narendra Shah
-
0
Women only experience at Delhi Metro

First things first, when I got down from the Metro yesterday I was quite blown away as this was the view that greeted me. I quickly overcame any hesitations that were trying to raise their heads and took out my SLR with the 70-300mm zoom attached to it. Can you blame me? Throughout the journey I was wondering where the sun was and what kind of sunset it was!

Now that I am writing the post I am thinking it could be only about the sunset pictures, but then I wanted to write about the Women Only coaches of Delhi Metro and I will do so. I remember earlier there were no such women only coaches and as I rarely travel alone within Delhi/Gurgaon I was OK with it. But recently I used the Women Only coaches quickly as I was traveling alone. The first time, I took a Metro from ISBT to Gurgaon late at night around 10.00pm and didn’t like it much, as it was not a women only coach, in fact towards the last station I was the only women in the coach and I changed it!

This weekend I traveled to my sister’s place. So on Friday as well as Sunday I was traveling alone and taking the Metro. I took the train around 7.00pm on Friday and 4.30 pm on Sunday. On both the occasions it was a great experience to be in a women only coach. I guess I felt more at ease, less bothered about people misbehaving with me and less concerned about guarding my personal space. A few men who tried to entered the coach were asked to leave either by the security personnel or the women in the traveling in coach.  I am told that the security personnel vanish towards 10.00 pm or so and hence my relatively bad experience on the first trip.

But as I said, what made my day was the sunset that greeted me when I got down. I got an added bonus of clicking a train along with the sunset too.

However there was a twist in the story when I tried to get out of the station! I inserted the coin in the slot and the barrier did not open! I was quite perplexed as this had never happened before. There was a person who took out the coin and said I should talk to the customer care. When I gave the token  to the person sitting there, he said it was for Ramesh Nagar! For my life I do not even know where is Ramesh Nagar and I have no clue why I was given a token for that when I wanted to go to Gurgaon! As a way out he said I would have to buy another full ticket, which I did. I could have raised a ruckus that it was not my fault but I was so happy with the sunset pictures that I bought another token and I happily got out. And before I sign off here is another picture that made me so happy that I did not fight about the wrong token!

For those of you who wish to ask me why do we even need a women only coach in Delhi (India?) as it is not promoting equality etc, that is a story for another day. But if you have traveled by public transport in India, chances are you will not ask this question.

(Story by: Mridula Dwivedi)

Note: Metro Rail News readers can also send their articles/stories to us via e-mail at metrorailnews@gmail.com. Shortlisted articles/stories will be published here.

Metro Rail News team signs Media Partnership agreement for Indian Metro Rail Development Congress 2015

Narendra Shah
-
1

New Delhi: India currently has seven operational metro rails, namely, Kolkata Metro, Delhi Metro and Delhi Airport Express Link, Jaipur Metro, Mumbai Metro, Rapid Metro Gurgaon, Chennai Metro and Bangalore Metro. Similar rail projects are being planned and/or are under construction in Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Indore, Chennai, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Jaipur, Kochi, Pune, Mumbai and Hyderabad while various other cities are in Viability Studies.

On 11 August 2014, Union Urban Development Minister Mr. Venkaiah Naidu announced that the Union Government would provide financial assistance, for the implementation of a metro rail system, to all Indian cities having population of more than 1 million. Currently, rapid transit systems operate in 15 cities and more are under construction or in planning in several cities of India.

With billions of dollars to be spent on metro rail projects in the country, it is imperative to understand the need for and effectiveness of metro systems as a means of public transportation in the Indian context. Since metro systems are capital-intensive projects, the financial sustainability of these systems is also an important issue to be explored.

This Summit will not only discuss about the Metro Rail network but also provide an arena for Metro Rail bodies, Ministries & business organizations to gather at one place with an aim of sharing industry expertise and gaining more knowledge about the Metro Rail business. The following topics will be covered in this conference:-

  • Current Progress of projects – A look at the current status of India’s many ventures into the Metro Rail network
  • Issues and concerns – An overview of the areas of opportunity that Metro Rail developers face in India.
  • Latest Technologies – Innovative and cost-efficient technologies that are paving the way for Metro Rail success.
  • Signalling and Telecommunication – The aspects that are imperative for the smooth function of any successful Metro Rail system and their latest improvements.
  • Operation and Maintenance – Building the metro rail successfully is just the beginning! An understanding of what it takes for successful running of the network.

Metro Rail News team has signed Media Partnership agreement with BE Summits event organizer team for providing media assistance to explore the conference across the world.

The Indian Metro Rail Development Congress is scheduled on November 5-6, 2015 in New Delhi, India.

Delhi Metro|DMRC to reduce fare on Airport Express Line from Sept 18, 2015.

Narendra Shah
-
0
Delhi Metro|DMRC to reduce fare on Airport Express Line from Sept 18, 2015.

New Delhi: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has decided to further reduce passenger fares on the Airport Express Line by up to 50 percent for greater convenience of the commuters from 18th of September, 2015.

As per the revised fare structure applicable from this Friday, the minimum single journey fare on the corridor will be Rs.10 replacing the earlier minimum fare of Rs.

20 and the maximum fare will be Rs.60 against the earlier maximum fare of Rs.100.

Therefore, a one way journey from the New Delhi station to Dwarka Sector 21 using Single Journey Token will now cost only Rs.60. Detailed revised Fare Chart will be available on DMRC website www.delhimetrorail.com and at all stations of the Airport Express Line. The Fare Store Value Card offered to the commuters will have a further discount of 10 percent as well.

Some of the important station to station revised fares are as follows:

  1. New Delhi to IGI Airport: Rs.60
  2. Shivaji Stadium to IGI Airport: Rs.50
  3. Shivaji Stadium to Dwarka Sec-21: Rs.60
  4. New Delhi to Delhi Aerocity: Rs.50

The fares are being decreased to mainly encourage commuters from the Dwarka sub city to travel by the Airport Express line instead of the blue line. This will also help in decongesting the blue line, especially during the peak hours, as it is one of the busiest corridors of the Delhi Metro network. The benefit of lesser travel time on the Airport Express line will also be communicated to the passengers.

The fares of the Airport Express line were decreased by up to 40 percent on 24th July last year. As a result of the measure, the average daily ridership of the corridor increased significantly from around 13,000 in June, 2014 to more than 20,000 in February earlier this year. On 28th August, 2015, more than 32,000 people travelled by the Airport Express line.

Lucknow Metro|LMRC issues NIT for RFP for Rolling Stock and Train Control & Signaling system

Narendra Shah
-
0
Lucknow Metro|LMRC issues NIT for RFP for Rolling Stock and Train Control & Signaling system

Lucknow: Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation (LMRC) has issued combined tender for rolling stock and signaling system to save time and bring more efficiency in the metro project. It is for the first time that both tenders are being awarded jointly for a metro project in the country. It has recently awarded the contract for supply, testing and commissioning of 80 cars for 20 trains of four car each along with train control and signalling system for Lucknow Metro Phase-1A project to French company, a consortium of ALSTOM Transport India Ltd, Bangalore and ALSTOM Transport SA, France at a cost of around Rs.1070 crore.

Three international firms had participated in the tender for the work which were received by LMRC on April 21, 2015 and tender has been finally been awarded to the lowest evaluated tenderer after detailed technical and financial evaluation as per terms and conditions of the tender document with the approval of LMRC Board of Directors. Metro officials said, “The trains are planned to be supplied within a very tight schedule of 65 weeks from now and has the challenge of supplying such state of the art trains in one of the shortest period known for trains supply after placing an order.”

These state of the art trains designed in France will be manufactured in India by ALSTOM Transport India Ltd in their plant near Chennai while train control and signalling system will be supplied by ALSTOM Transport SA, France. LMRC said it has been able to award this contract in a very strict time frame. Chief Secretary, Government of UP and Chairman, LMRC Alok Ranjan had earlier instructed the Lucknow metro team to expedite design preparation and approvals for rolling stock prototype to be finalised very expeditiously to ensure timely delivery of rolling stock for dream project of chief minister, Akhilesh Yadav.

Managing Director, LMRC, Kumar Keshav stated that the MRTS proposed in Lucknow is characterized by short distance of about one km between the stations, having a maximum design speed of 90 kmph and schedule speed of 34- 35 km per hour. Selection of technology for train cars for LMRC are governed primarily from design considerations for energy efficient, reliable and better comfort to passengers in terms of riding quality, lower-noise level and environment friendliness.

MEGA Metro|Systra Led Consortium appointed General Consultant for Gujrat Metro

Narendra Shah
-
10
MEGA Metro|Systra Led Consortium appointed General Consultant for Gujrat Metro

Ahmedabad: Metro-Link Express for Gandhinagar & Ahmedabad (MEGA) Co. Ltd yesterday announced issuance of the Letter of Acceptance (LoA) to a Systra-led consortium for appointment of the General Engineering Consultant (GEC) for the project.

The consortium is led by Systra S.A., a global leader in mass transit and rail engineering. The consortium includes partners such as RITES Ltd from India, Oriental Consultants Global Co Ltd from Japan and AECOM Asia Co Ltd from Hong Kong.

The new GEC apparently replaces Delhi Metro Rail Corporation who has been working as the interim consultant since September 2014.

The engineering consultancy services cover design review and commissioning of Phase I of the Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project in relation to all civil structures, alignment, tracks, signals, telecom facilities, traction arrangement, power supply, rolling stocks, stations, depots, offices, bridges, flyovers, fire alarm, fire detection, public health & environment.

The consortium will also monitor all contract works in progress, identify any delay from schedule including coordination conflicts and recommend measures to eliminate or mitigate problems.

The appointment is expected to accelerate construction and commissioning of the project in a phased manner.

Metro Link Express for Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad is an under construction mass transit rail system for the cities of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. MEGA Co. Ltd was established in February 2010 as a 50/50 special purpose vehicle of the Governments of India and Gujarat to execute the project.

Phase 1 was approved in October 2014 and is expected to complete by December 2018. Construction started in March this year, with Gujarat Chief Minister Smt. Anandiben Patel performing the ground breaking ceremony.

The project comprises two corridors:

  • The 20.31 km East-West Corridor from Thaltej to Vastral Gam will have 13.71 km elevated and 6.6 km underground. It will touch Nirant Crossing, Rabari Colony, Amraiwadi, Kankaria, Kalupur Railway Station, Gheekanta, Shahpur, Stadium, Commerce Six-Road, Gujarat University, Gurkul and Doordarsham.
  • The 15.29 km North-South Corridor will be totally elevated from APMC Market in Vasna to Motera Stadium. It will touch Anjali, Paldi, Madalpur, Nava Gandhigram, Usmanpura, Vadaj, Ranip, Sabarmati and AEC.

Mumbai-based J Kumar Infraprojects Ltd is building the first 6 kms of the project between Vastral Gam and Apparel Park.

MEGA has also recently awarded the contract for the construction of 6 stations.

Mumbai Metro|JICA to start public consultation for Metro project funding

Narendra Shah
-
0

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government today recieved a major boost after the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) reiterated its commitment to fund a slew of infrastructure projects. These projects include Mumbai Metro network expansion and also the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) project.

JICA’s assurance came during a meeting with state chief minister Devendra Fadnavis who is on a Tokyo visit. These projects will require an investment of over Rs 60,000 crore. JICA also assured Fadnavis that it would start public consultation on Mumbai Metro next week and also fast track funding for the Rs 11,000 crore Mumbai Trans Harbour Link.

JICA’s assurance comes close on the recent decision by the state run Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to sanction the expenditure of Rs 35,400 crore for the development of 118-km Metro network in the city. This includes a 40-km Dahisar-Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd metro-2 corridor (Rs 12,000 crore), a 40-km Wadala-Ghatkopar-Thane-Kasarvadavali Metro-4 corridor via Wadala GPO and R.A.Kidwai Marg (Rs 12,000 crore), a 27-km Dahisar-E-Andheri-E-Bandra-E Metro-5 corridor (Rs 8,100 crore) and a 11-km Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road Metro-6 corridor (Rs 3,300 crore).

Further, MMRDA has accepted two detailed project reports, one for the 16.5-km Andheri-E to Dahisar-E Metro corridor and the other for the 18.6-km Dahisar to D.N.Nagar Metro corridor, prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. The reports have recommended these two corridors estimated at Rs 4,737 crore and Rs 4,994 crore respectively for the State approval.

MMRDA has recommended, to the State, raising of funds from various financial institutions such as World Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency and other national and international financial institutions.

Further, JICA also assured Fadnavis that it would fast track funding for the 22 km MTHL with the proposed investment of Rs 11,000 crore. JICA has already expressed its desire to provide 80% or Rs 8,800 crore of the finance as loan for the project.

The government proposes to start bidding for MTHL by December end.

Meanwhile, the state government plans to set up Japanese Industrial Park at Supa in Ahmednagar district with support from Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO).

Chennai Metro|Issues haunting Chennai Metro Rail users

Narendra Shah
-
0

Chennai: Months have passed since the grand inauguration of the city’s Metro Rail service. And, commuters using the Koyambedu CMRL station have grievances to voice. The main cause of concern seems to be access to these stations.

For first-time riders, locating the Koyambedu station off Poonamallee High Road in Tiruvallur street, seems to be a daunting task owing to the inadequate number of signages leading to the station.

The entrance of the station, strangely, overlooks a junction with traffic moving from Poonamallee High Road to Koyambedu market, joining the arterial road.

And yet, there seems to be no skywalk, subway or even a pedestrian crossing to help commuters cross over from the junction to the station.

S. Ram Prasad (name changed), a commuter said: “The lighting on this road is insufficient making it rather unsafe, especially for women travelling at night.”

The station sports a narrow footpath, but the poor lighting makes the space difficult to use, he added.

Another grievance he voiced was that the parking space has not been provided with cover even though commuters are levy parking charges from Rs. 5 to Rs. 40, for two wheelers and four wheelers ranging.

Another concern seems to be the stray dogs which are seen roaming the parking spaces despite the presence of security personnel.

Officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) said they are constructing a foot overbridge from the station that will become operational in a month’s time.

Vizag Metro|DMRC bags Vijayawada Metro Rail project

Narendra Shah
-
0
Vizag Metro|DMRC bags Vijayawada Metro Rail project

Vijayawada: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation will implement the ambitious Vijayawada Metro Rail project, Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced on Saturday.

“The state government has handed over the Vijayawada Metro Rail project to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). The first tender for civil works under the project will be called by DMRC next week,” Naidu, flanked by Union urban development minister Venkaiah Naidu, said at a press conference.

Meanwhile, DMRC also submitted a detailed project report (DPR) of Visakhapatnam Metro Rail project to state government.

Delhi Metro|Faridabad Metro services to start from 8am on Sunday

Narendra Shah
-
0
Delhi Metro|Faridabad Metro services to start from 8am on Sunday

New Delhi: Metro services on the Badarpur – Escorts Mujesar (Faridabad) section of the Delhi Metro will start from 8 AM only on Sundays, with effect from next Sunday, i.e, 13th September, 2015.

Generally, the Metro services on all corridors of the Delhi Metro network begin from 6 AM in the morning on all days of the week. However, to ensure better management of the maintenance activities planned and carried out during the night, the services on the Badarpur – Escorts Mujesar (Faridabad) section will start at 8 AM on Sundays.

The trains from both the originating stations – Escorts Mujesar and Badarpur will start at 8 AM. On all other days of the week, the services will start as usual from 6 AM. The information has also been made available at all the stations of the Faridabad section as well as on Delhi Metro’s website.

Gurgaon Metro|Rapid Metro Gurgaon receives its First Train of South Extension

Narendra Shah
-
1
Gurgaon Metro|Rapid Metro Gurgaon receives its First Train of South Extension

Gurgaon (GGN): Rapid Metro Gurgaon today announced the arrival of its first train of South Extension in Gurgaon. The trains are from Siemens and will be similar to trains of Phase- 1. Welcoming the first train, Mr.Rajiv Banga, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IL&FS Rail Ltd said, “The work on South Extension is in full swing and we are hoping that we will start our operations as targeted. The arrival of first train reflects our commitment to serve people in Gurgaon.” The start of South Extension will increase the reach of Rapid Metro and further make inroads into Gurgaon offering a safe and convenient option to commute. Due to increase in pollution levels and traffic congestion, it is time for people to switch to a sustainable mode of transport. Rapid Metro Rail Gurgaon Ltd., an initiative by IL&FS Rail, is the first fully privately funded metro project.

Rapid Metro Gurgaon is the initiative of IL&FS Rail, is developing country’s 1st fully privately funded Metro Rail system. The driving force behind Rapid Metro is IL&FS Rail which is a subsidiary of Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Limited (IL&FS), India’s leading infrastructure development and finance company. The Rapid Metro is being constructed at a cost of Rs. 1,088 crore.

1...893894895...930Page 894 of 930