Metro Rail News Online

MUMBAI (Metro Rail News): The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has received the Italian model road-cum-rail mover loco-tractor at its Charkop metro depot on Saturday. MMRDA commissioner R A Rajeev and other metro officials inaugurated the loco tractor and Ms Adeshree Thakare became the first female train operator to start this machine. According to the MMRDA, the diesel shunting loco can haul eight-car train sets (360t), with radio remote control and hydraulically actuated braking system facilitating the shunting operations and maintenance work in the depot area. And with this, the MMRDA has initiated its first step towards the start of trial runs of Metro Line 2A (Dahisar to DN Nagar, Andheri) and Line 7 (Andheri East to Dahisar East) scheduled from January 14 onwards, said an MMRDA official. Shri. R.A.Rajeev (Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA) flagging off the new Road-Rail Shunter Loco & Mover for the Charkop Metro Depot. The, Road-Rail Shunter Loco ...

The major problem which our developing cities are suffering from today is the lack of efficient and effective public transport system . The modern cities in India are not modern in planning in any sense. The planning lacks everywhere and can be seen in every aspect of the urban planning, designing and development. There are many problems which a new or existing city experiences today in developing nations like ours. Enhancement of the Urban Transport System will surely result in easy access to transportation to cater to the growing needs of the residents of these cities. There are a lot more factors which may play crucial roles in the development of progressive cities for a developed India which We all have been aspiring for! The industrial “internet of things” has had a major impact on the transportation industry, with the advent of autonomous vehicles and improved cargo management. One area that has seen less coverage is the connected railway.  "The fact that trains o...

Our Managing Editor Mr. Narendra Shah held a conversation with Mr. Steve Cockerell and Mr, Dan Vogen, both of whom are associated with Bentley Systems. Mr. Cockerell is industry marketing director of rail and transit at Bentley Systems while Mr. Vogen is vice president of road and rail asset management at Bentley Systems. Here are some edited excerpts from the Interview:- Narendra Shah – Bentley Systems is a very fast-growing company with a worldwide presence. How do you feel today after contributing more than two decades to the organisation? Steve Cockerell – I am excited, I am proud, ready for a good few more years, and stand ready to help our users realize the full potential of digital twins in rail. Dan Vogen – I am really excited and proud of what we have accomplished. And, I am looking forward to the future. With the power of digital twins, we have more capabilities, meaning we can do things now that we could only dream of doing only a few years ago. Given the ...

Symbroj Media has successfully published the November Edition of it's esteemed publication, Metro Rail News Magazine . In this Issue of Metro Rail News Magazine, we are featuring the Rails manufactured by JSPL in our Cover Story. We are bringing to you the Exclusive Interviews of Mr. V.R. Sharma, MD, JSPL. It is also featuring a special interaction with Mr. Ramesh Munot - Director - Mandev Tubes Pvt.Ltd and an interview with Mr Mayank Agarwal, Head of Operations, Rapido. The magazine is bringing information about two MRTS Projects namely Visakhapatnam Metro and Vijayawada Metro. Our featured Articles include "Technology and Climate Change in Urban Transport", "Smart Trains and connected Urban Rail" and "Improved Public Transport and Inclusive Mobility". We are bringing detailed information about DTS System, ATO, ATP, ATS and EI Systems through our 'Focused System' section. On this occasion, Mr Narendra Shah, Managing Editor of Metro Rail News M...

Ahmedabad (Metro Rail News) : AFCONS Infrastructure Limited - A Shapoorji Pallonji Group Company has emerged as the lowest bidder for Package C1 of the Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project. The financial bids after the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Ltd also known as GMRC opened the financial bids today. Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. had invited tenders from eligible firms on January 20, 2020. After the evaluation of technical bids, the Financial bids were opened today in which Afcons emerged as the winner. The estimated cost of the bid was Rs 1017.31 Crores with a work period of 30 months (2 years 6 months). Key Tender Details TENDER NOTIFICATION No: GMRC/CONS/VDCT+STNS/PKG-C1/PH-2/2020 Tender Opening Date - 10/01/2020 Financial Bid Values Afcons - Rs 1011.59 Crores G.R. Infra - Rs 1086.71 Crores ITD - Rs 1052.30 Crores L&T - Rs 1057.24 Crores J. Kumar - Rs 1134.29 Crores Scope of work Scope of the work includes Construction of 8.124 km elevated viaducts and 8 stations from Ch. 173...

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The day started with good news for Larsen & Toubro  (L&T) as it emerged as the lowest bidder for constructing the 237.1 km under Package C4 of the 508.17 km Mumbai – Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail also called MAHSR Bullet Train project , after the National High-Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL) opened financial bids submitted by 3 infrastructure development firms. The estimated cost of the package 4 was Rs 20,000 crores while the lowest bid value was Rs 24,985 crores. Package C4 is the largest among all as it represents 46.66% of the main-line. It starts at Maharashtra – Gujarat border to Vadodara Station and includes four stations at Vapi, Bilimora, Surat and Bharuch in Gujarat. NHSRCL invited bids for its the project which is financed by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on March 15, 2019. Technical bids were opened on September 23 in which three bidders qualified for the next level. Financial Bid Values: Larsen & Toubro...

Alstom-built 12000 HP electric locomotives have been officially approved by the Ministry of Railways and RDSO to run freight trains at a maximum speed of 120 kmph. Earlier this year, Indian Railways began inducting the WAG 12B e -locos, which are the most powerful locomotives to run on Indian tracks. Cumulatively, these electric locomotives have already clocked over 1 million kilometres, thus providing a significant fillip to the country’s freight logistics landscape. These electric locos will allow faster and safer movement of heavier freight trains capable to haul ~6000 tonnes at a top speed of 120 kmph. Planned to be deployed for operations on major freight routes of Indian Railways including the Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs), they are expected to increase the average speed of freight trains in India by at least 20-25 kmph. Commenting on this achievement, Alain SPOHR , Managing Director, Alstom India & South Asia said, “The approval from RDSO is indeed a matter o...

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The New Development Bank (NDB) has approved USD 500 million for the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) Project and USD 241 million loans for Mumbai Metro. The two loans were approved by the NDB Board on Friday. NDB is a Shanghai-based bank and set up by the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa). These two projects are doing an extensive infrastructure boost for India's capital and its financial capital Mumbai. The Mumbai Metro Loan of USD 241 million will be used for implementing a 14.47 km long metro rail Line 6 (Lokhandwala-Jogeshwari-Vikhroli-Kanjurmarg) in Mumbai. The Mumbai Metro line 6 will improve the transport and traffic conditions in Mumbai by providing a modern metro system, featuring high-capacity, safe and comfortable mode of transport. Alos provide much-needed rail-based connectivity between the western and eastern suburbs, and will contribute towards an integrated seamless public transport network in...

Ahmedabad (Metro Rail News): Ahmedabad metro phase 1 construction has been questioned by The apex committee of the Gujarat assembly for monitoring public sector enterprises (PSEs). The committee recently submitted its report before the state assembly, has noted irregularities worth Rs 1,168 crore in the execution of Ahmedabad Metro Rail project. The committee is headed by BJP MLA and former minister Babu Bokhiriya has recommended recovery of Rs. 1,168 crores from the accused and initiate strict action against those involved in futile expenditure and irregularities in the metro rail project. "The CAG (Comptroller & auditor general) of India, in its 2014-15 report examined MEGA’s financial and actual performance. The Gujarat government, in 2005 envisioned to begin a metro rail service between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. In 2010, MEGA company was formed to implement the metro rail service. The first DPR (draft project report) was approved in December 2012 and revised estimate of...

Kolkata (Metro Rail News): Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW), the electric locomotive manufacturing unit of Indian Railways, unveils the indigenously manufactured Tejas Express locomotives for push-pull operations on Friday. Shri Praveen Kumar Mishra, General Manager flagged off the TEJAS EXPRESS locos from Asansol Railway station in presence of of CLW senior officers and staff Shri Praveen Kumar Mishra, General Manager flagged off the TEJAS EXPRESS First batch of Tejas Express locos for PUSH-PULL operations is aerodynamically designed to reduce air drags at higher speed for more energy efficiency and dynamically stable during high-speed operation. These two WAP-5 (35012-35013) type electric locomotives are of 6000 HP capacity each and both are equipped with the latest IGBT-based propulsion system capable to run at 160kmph each. These two electric locomotives will work in Push-Pull mode for operations in premium passenger trains. The driver desks have been ergonomically re-modifie...

HYDERABAD (Metro Rail News): It’s been six months since MMTS, which is the suburban rail system in the city, stopped its services due to the Covid-19 induced lockdown. Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) and TSRTC resumed operations recently but MMTS remains the only public transportation that is still unavailable for commuters in the city. SCR conducted a trial run on the Secunderabad-Malkajgiri and Medchal-Moula-Ali routes as part of the phase-II project recently. SCR, which is waiting for an official order from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Railways, is making sure they are ready to resume operations as soon they get a go-ahead by ensuring all the MMTS rakes are fit and well-maintained. “By regularly checking the rakes and conducting other maintenance activities, we are taking all necessary steps to start operations at any moment. The batteries, brakes, wheel alignment and functioning of the engine and other motors are being checked regularly at the Electrical Mul...

LUCKNOW (Metro Rail News): Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) will be organizing a host of events to celebrate the 151st birth anniversary of Gandhi Ji. Beginning with 1st October 2020, a Swatchhta Pledge (oath for cleanliness) will be taken by UPMRC officials in the esteemed presence of Shri Kumar Keshav, MD, UPMRC at Administrative Office, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow. An elocution competition will be conducted at Hussainganj Metro station portraying the teachings & philosophies of Mahatma Gandhi. In the evening of the same day, MD will felicitate the participants of the elocution event. Shri Kumar Keshav will also address the Directors, senior officials & other staff of UPMRC at the Hussainganj Metro station after the prize distribution ceremony. On the following day, ie 2nd October 2020, a cleanliness drive will be conducted beginning with Badshah Nagar Metro station where Shri. Kumar Keshav himself will start the Swatchhta Abhiyaan (cleanliness drive) and then at all o...

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Delhi-Meerut RRTS corridor construction is in full swing that will reduce and give a world-class travel facility for people commuting between the two cities. Being the first semi-high speed Rapid Rail system, the Centre has unveiled the first look of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) train whose design is inspired by Delhi's iconic Lotus Temple and can attain a top speed of 180 kilometres per hour on the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor. Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry said with a radiating stainless steel outer body, the aerodynamic RRTS trains will be lightweight and fully air-conditioned. They have been designed in such a way that natural sources of light and energy will flow into the trains, the ministry said. Each car will have 6 automatic plug-in type wide doors, three on each side for ease of access and exit. The business class will have four such doors, two on each side. An official of the National Capital Region Transport Corpo...

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Railway passengers may have to pay an additional amount of Rs 10-Rs 35 for their ticket fares as user charges for availing redeveloped stations with state of the art amenities and to help the national transporter in raising funds for redeveloping more stations, sources indicated. This is part of a proposal being finalised by the Railways which will soon be sent for Cabinet nod, the sources said. The user fee will vary according to the class — it would range between Rs 10 and Rs 35 with the higher price for AC first-class passengers according to sources. The Railways had earlier clarified that user fee would be levied only across stations which will be redeveloped and those that have high footfalls. Of the 7,000 total railway stations in the country, around 700-1,000 fall in this category according to the officials. "This is the first time that such a fee, which is levied on air passengers, will be charged from rail users. UDF is charged at various air...

KOLKATA (Metro Rail News): Kolkata Metro Railway services were disrupted for over an hour on Tuesday after a Dum Dum-bound A/C train experienced technical snag at Netaji station. According to sources, the incident took place at 2 pm when the AC rake going in the UP direction was stopped at Netaji UP platform after a cable hanging from the coach touched the third rail resulting in the emission of a burning smell. "Metro engineers and staff went to the spot and passengers were immediately evacuated," said an official. Truncated services were run from Mahanayak Uttam Kumar station to Noapara station (both in the UP and DN direction). On September 28, Kolkata Metro Railway started running three pairs of additional trains (110 to 116 trains) and extended operation hours (the last service extended from 8 pm to 8.30 pm). However, the footfall in the North- South Metro line was 55,228 and in the East-West Metro line passenger was 163. On the first day of opening, the footfall in the...

NOIDA (Metro Rail News): The Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) has issued a tender to develop five Metro stations on the extension line of the Aqua Line to Greater Noida West in the first phase. The proposed route will connect Noida’s Sector 51 station with Greater Noida’s Sector 2, and help make commuting easier of scores of residents living in high-rises and villages en route. On December 3, 2019, the Uttar Pradesh cabinet had approved the 14.95km Aqua-Line extension corridor comprising nine stations from Noida’s Sector 51 to Knowledge Park 5 in Greater Noida. Praveen Mishra, an executive director, NMRC, confirmed that the tender has been issued. The 9.15km route in the first phase will have five Metro stations -- Sector 122 and Sector 123 in Noida; and Sector 4, Ecotech 12 and Sector 2 in Greater Noida. In the second phase of 5.8km, there will be four Metro stations; in Greater Noida’s Sector 3, Sector 10, Greater Sector 12 and Knowledge Park 5. Sandhya S...

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): As Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has resumed its services, the biggest metro network of the country is working balance its losses incurred due to the lockdown. The DMRC has suffered a loss of Rs 1,609 crores and it is trying to boost the revenue through other sources than that of fare revenue. The Metro Corporation which earns around 40% of its total no-fare revenues through advertisement is planning to adopt a few new measures to boost its economy. The corporation has rolled out four tenders to give out advertising license over the course of two weeks after resuming operations. The latest tender is to allot exclusive advertising rights through digital media inside ITO metro station on line-6 of DMRC network for nine-year-duration. It is single-stage two-packet system e-tender through which a minimum of 50 square meters digital advertisement space is proposed to be licensed out. The closing date to submit bids is October 12, 2020. Prior to this, DMRC...

PUNE (Metro Rail News): The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation is executing Pune Metro Rail Project, which has two corridors. One from Vanaz to Ramwadi which is an elevated line and the other from PCMC to Swargate which is elevated from PCMC to Agriculture college and thereafter underground up to Swargate. The underground section is about 6 km. 43% of the overall civil work has been completed till date. "In another significant milestone achievement today in the ongoing Pune Metro Project , tunnel breakthrough was achieved in the underground section at the North end of Civil Court interchange station. This signifies the completion of tunnelling of the Range Hill- Shivaji Nagar- Civil Court stretch. The breakthrough happened 150 metres inside the NATM section of Civil Court underground Station", the Maha Metro said in a statement. https://twitter.com/MetroRailNewsIN/status/1310585488080658433 A breakthrough is when a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBMs) completes its Schedule UG stre...

NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Paras Railtech Pvt. Ltd has emerged as the lowest bidder for the supply and installation of tracks inside the 1.878 km underground extension of the Delhi Metro’s 22.9 km Airport Express Line from the Dwarka Sector 21 Station to the upcoming Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (ECC) in Dwarka’s Sector 25. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) had invited tenders (bids) for ballastless tracks from firms on March 5 and then opened technical bids on July 6 to reveal two bidders – Paras Railtech and Vijay Nirman Company. Financial bids were opened last week to reveal Paras Railtech had quoted the lowest amount. DMRC’s estimate was Rs. 25.86 crore. Contract: CT-36 The work includes Supply, Installation, Testing And Commissioning Of Ballastless Track In Underground Section Of Airport Express Line From Dwarka Sec-21 To ECC Dwarka Sec-25 Standard Gauge Corridor Of Delhi MRTS Project Of Phase-III. A Letter of Award in the coming weeks to compl...

BANGALORE (Metro Rail News): According to different reports, The Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) and the US-based hyperloop technology leader Virgin Hyperloop are planning to conduct a feasibility study to build a hyperloop corridor for high-speed transport between the airport and the city centre. “An agreement has been signed by the airport operator (BIAL) and Virgin to study a viable hyperloop corridor between Kempegowda international airport and the tech city, covering 40 km distance in about 10 minutes,” a statement said. "The agreement was signed by Karnataka Chief Secretary T.M. Vijay Bhaskar as BIAL consortium chairman and Virgin chairman Sultan bin Sulayem from its Dubai office and exchanged through the virtual mode", a source added. Hyperloop is a new transport mode under development to enable high-speed movement of hundreds of people and goods at a time in floating pods through tubes or tunnels above or below the ground. The move will ease up travel in ...