‘India emerging as hub for metro coaches’

[Hindustani78]

Presently in 31 cities with over 20 lakh population, the metro rail projects are being implemented and cities with over 10 lakh population will be taken up later. Shri Naidu said his government in future would also like select 500 more cities with populations over one lakh people under smart city programme.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Civil Aviation
16-March, 2017 16:34 IST
Air Train To Link Terminals at IGIA by 2020

The Delhi International Airport Pvt. Ltd. (DIAL) has proposed an Automated People Mover (APM) or air train between Terminal 1, T2 and T3 at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport. In compliance with the provisions of Operation, Management and Development Agreement (OMDA), M/s Delhi International Airport Private Limited (DIAL) has reviewed and updated the Master Plan of IGI Airport, New Delhi in 2016 in consultation with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India and Sovereign agencies providing reserved services at the airport and with other stakeholders.

The Master Plan, 2016 contains a provision for Automated People Mover (APM) for connecting all the terminals of the airport. Total length of the proposed APM alignment is 5.5 km out of which 1.5 km is underground whereas 4.0 km portion is elevated. The Master Plan recommends this facility to be available by year 2020. DIAL has already taken steps for exploring all technical possibilities for providing the APM facility in consultation with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). The design, project cost and other details etc. are finalized during the finalization of the Major Development Plan in compliance with the OMDA.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Civil Aviation Shri Jayant Sinha in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

....

 

[Hindustani78]

Passengers having fun in a metro coach during the inaugural ride as the second phase of Rapid Metro was thrown open to public in Gurugram.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities...long-metro-rail-corridors/article17814832.ece

First BTS commissioned to enable high-speed connectivity on the move
Public sector Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has decided to set up 64 BTS (Base Transceiver Station) towers along the metro corridors in the next couple of years to enable high speed connectivity to its users while on the move.

The first of the 39 BTS towers planned in the first phase was commissioned on Tuesday and the BSNL would continue to set up the remaining towers as work on metro rail progresses. Notwithstanding the stiff competition from the private players, BSNL’s Hyderabad Telecom District has recorded a “slightly positive” growth in its revenues during the just-ended financial year registering a revenue of ₹ 510 crore compared to ₹ 509 crore of the previous fiscal.

The public sector telecom major has targetted to improve its revenue by at least 3% during the current fiscal and has planned to take advantage of a bouquet of services launched for the consumers recently. According to BSNL HTD principal general manager K. Ramchand, BSNL presently occupied fourth place in the two Telugu speaking States and it had launched several initiatives to attract more consumers into its fold.

It was decided to enhance services relating to the existing 2G and 3G connections while steps were underway to launch 4G services soon. “BSNL is in negotiations with global companies for offering 5G connectivity and the process of setting up the necessary infrastructure will commence soon,” he said adding new Wi-Fi hotspots at 51 locations were planned to be set up with 381 access points in addition to the 42 hotspots commissioned with 85 access points.

This was in addition to the Fixed Mobile Convergence facility and multimedia video conferencing facilities proposed to be provided by the telecom major in the coming days. Efforts were on to replace the electronic exchanges with new generation network and switching. The equipment was commissioned in 42 exchanges.

The remaining exchanges would be covered during the current fiscal where in customers could avail facilities like limited fixed mobile telephony enabling them to utilise the broadband and fibre to the home connections as cordless phone without any additional charges.

The BSNL had introduced international Wi-Fi services wherein customers could access high speed data through wi-fi hotspots across the globe. “Customers can avail unlimited internet access with high speed connectivity in over 100 countries on payment of prescribed charges. The international Wi-Fi services are much cheaper when compared to costs involved in utilising mobile data in roaming,” he said.

 

[Hindustani78]

An RPF Commando team deployed to maintain security for Metro Railway in Kolkata.

Inside Lucknow Metro’s tunnels
April 06, 2017 17:34 IST
Updated: April 06, 2017 19:20 IST


The underground tunneling work for the 3.5 km Sachivalaya, Hussainganj and Hazratganj section of Phase 1 A (North – South Corridor) of Lucknow Metro Rail Project has been achieved upline upto 300 meters (approx.) and downline 80 meters (approx.). It’s a part of 23 kms long North South corridor from Lucknow Airport to Munshi Pulia and 8..5 kms priority corridor from Transport Nagar to Chharbagh station. Total cost of the project is Rs.6,880 crores. Two 9.875 mts long Terratec (Australian) TBMs-Single Shield Earth Pressure Balance Machine ((EPBM) with excavation diameter 6.56 mts are being used by Gulermak-Tata Projects Ltd. (TPL) JV.

 

[Hindustani78]

When the Centre sanctioned an additional 9.3 km on the North-South Corridor in 2010, Phase 1 became a 42.2-km project and the cost was revised to Rs 8,158 crore.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/606783/metro-phase-come-track-huge.html

After a six-year delay marked by missing nine deadlines and whopping cost escalation, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is closer to opening Namma Metro Phase I to the public next month.

The project, which was supposed to be operational from 2011, failed to meet seven publicly-announced deadlines, the latest in November 2016. The delay has led to cost escalation with the metro line cost standing at Rs 338 crore per kilometre as against the estimated Rs 194 crore.

Till January 2017, the BMRCL has spent Rs 14,291.28 crore, more than double the Rs 6,395 crore estimated when metro (then only 33 km) was sanctioned in 2006. However, the project took off only in January 2007 with many works beginning as late as 2008.

When the Centre sanctioned an additional 9.3 km on the North-South Corridor in 2010, Phase 1 became a 42.2-km project and the cost was revised to Rs 8,158 crore.

Increase in price
Further revisions of the cost were necessitated by delays, which led to increase in the price of land. The project cost was revised to Rs 11,609 crore at January 2011 prices, but both the government and the then BMRCL officials failed to check further escalation, leading to two further revisions.

As per the latest data submitted to the Ministry of Urban Development, the approved project cost was Rs 14,405 crore. The corporation is expected to spend all of it, as the BMRCL newsletter lists several minor works pending at some of the metro stations.

An official, who previously worked with BMRCL, told DH that the project implementation was badly affected after the BMRCL lost Delhi Metro Rail Corporation as its prime adviser.

Another senior official said there were several structural flaws in the administration which will continue to affect Phase II works as well.

“No managing director was allowed to work freely in the BMRCL. Every government that came to power replaced the MD. An officer takes time to understand and acclimatise to the project and that increases the cost and time,” the senior officer said.

Besides these, there was lack of coordination between state agencies and metro authorities in shifting utilities. This was most visible in the row over shifting of Ambedkar statue in front of Vidhana Soudha, which delayed the crucial underground project of East-West Corridor by nearly a year, the two officials said.

“The government and the BMRCL should check how the cost of a project like metro has skyrocketed. This is a burden on taxpayers and the authorities will face the music in the next three years as the liabilities will explode if they do not expedite the next stage (Phase II) of the project,” the senior official said.

BMRCL officials could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts over two days.

Metro may run in May
According to information provided by BMRC authorities, the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) will inspect the underground section of the North-South Corridor in the last week of April. The facility will be thrown open to public if the CRS finds the work satisfactory and gives his approval.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities...d-for-kochi-metro-opening/article18158285.ece


KMRL to hold service trials after safety inspection

Decks have been cleared for the commissioning of the Kochi metro project in the 13-km Aluva-Palarivattom corridor with Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) seeking a convenient date from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May end, to invite him to launch the first metro in Kerala.

“A letter in this regard has been sent to the Prime Minister's Office from the Chief Minister's Office,” official sources said.

It also ends months of uncertainty about commissioning the system of mass rapid transport in the State, since the KMRL and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, the project implementing agency, were on different pages about the issue. While the DMRC was all for opening the corridor soon after the inspection by the Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS), the KMRL wanted the commencement of service only after exterior and aesthetic works of 11 stations on the stretch were completed.


DMRC officials clarified that pending works would be over by May end.

Sources said that it intended to hold service trials after the CMRS inspects the corridor from May 3 to 5 and issues safety certificate. “A pool of pilots to man the seven trains have already undergone three-month training.”

 

[Hindustani78]

Basic amenities needed for passenger operations are in place at the Metro Rail’s underground stretch. | Photo Credit: M. Vedhan
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities...retch-awaits-inauguration/article18380109.ece


CMRL has finished all works, waiting for government to announce a date
Nearly two weeks after the final green signal was given, the first underground stretch of Chennai Metro Rail from Thirumangalam to Nehru Park waits for inauguration by the State government.

According to sources in Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), even they are awaiting information from the State government on when the inauguration may take place. “We have already communicated [to the authorities] that we are ready for inauguration on any day. We are waiting for them to give us a date,” an official said.

When asked if the construction work has been completed, officials said, only finishing works are on and once the date is decided, it can be wound up immediately. “All basic amenities needed for passenger operations are already in place. Each station has four entries/exits, of which only two will be put to use and that is ready too; eventually, when the number of people travelling increases, the other two will be opened too,” an official said.


The construction for the 7.6-km stretch from Thirumangalam to Nehru Park began in 2012. After various other safety clearances including that of Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in mid-April, they received the final safety clearance from Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS).

Chennai Metro Rail, built at a cost of ₹14,600 crore, saw its first service running from Koyambedu to Alandur in June 2015. In September last year, the second stretch from Little Mount to Chennai airport was opened to public. When the first underground stretch is opened, commuters can travel a distance of 17 km from Nehru Park to Chennai airport.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Urban Development
09-May, 2017 15:14 IST
Delhi Metro to be extended from Najafgarh to Dhansa Bus Stand

1.18 km Under Ground extension approved with a cost of Rs.565 cr

Central Government to provide Rs.107 cr

Dhansa Bus Stand in the National Capital will be connected by Delhi Metro in the next three years. Government of India has approved the 1.18 km Under Ground metro extension from Najafgarh to Dhansa Bus Stand at a cost of Rs.565 cr. This extension is scheduled for completion by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation by 2020.


Of the total cost of the project,central government will bear Rs.107 cr in the form of 50% Equity (Rs.75.50 cr) and Subordinate Debt. Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will provide Rs.323 cr while the rest will be borne by the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi including Equity (Rs.75.50 cr) and Subordinate Debt.


Najafgarh –Dhansa Bus Stand Metro Extension is estimated to serve the travel needs of an additional 10,000 passengers per day catering to the needs of people of Nangloi, Dhansa, Bahadurgarh and the adjoining areas.


As per 2016 estimates, 3.61 lakh vehicle trips are generated at Najafgarh. Since the area between Najafgarh and Dhansa is densely populated with substantial built up areas, extension to Dhansa Bus Stand has been made Under Ground.


The 4.50 km Dwarka – Najafgarh Metro Section, approved in September, 2012 is likely to be completed by December this year.


Work on Najafgarh-Dhansa Bus Stand extension is likely to start in July this year since the line alignment survey has already been completed and tenders called for.

 

[Hindustani78]

The first underground stretch of the Chennai Metro Rail will be inaugurated on May 14, 2017, in presence of Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu. Photo: M. Prabhu

A view of the Thirumangalam Metro Station. The underground stretch will cover a distance of 7.6-km from Thirumangalam to Nehru Park. Photo: R. Ravindran

A view of the Thirumangalam underground Chennai Metro Railway Station. | Photo Credit: R. Ravindr
Unlike the elevate corridors, the underground stations are fully air-conditioned. A temperature of 29°C is maintained at the tunnels. Photo: R. Ravindran

Chennai Metro Rail conducted a drill recently to check the preparedness in case of emergency. Photo: M. Prabhu

A ramp beyond Thirumangalam station connects it with the elevated Koyambedu- Alandur stretch. A person commuting from Nehru Park to Airport will enjoy both underground and elevated travel in one go. Photo: R. Ravindran

The tickets to access Metro will be in the form of smart cards, which can be recharged in the multiples of ₹ 100. Photo: R. Ravindran

The maximum fare for Metro travel will be ₹60. The CMRL is offering 10% discount to attract commuters. Photo: R. Ravindran

The control room at the Thirumangalam station. The security is managed by Chennai Police, while private security guards oversee baggage screening. Photo: Bijoy Ghosh

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation has set 2020 as the deadline for Phase 2, which includes the Gottigere-Nagawara line, which is a prerequisite for providing Metro service to the airport. DH file photo
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/611271/govt-finalises-kia-metro-link.html


Bengaluru Development Minister K J George on Friday said that the route for providing Metro link to the Kempegowda International Airport has been finalised with most of the line running parallel to the airport road.

Replying to a query on the sidelines of the BDA review meeting, George said the government has “finalised Nagawara-Ramakrishna Hegde Nagar-Jakkur-Yelahanka route to the airport”.

An officer said the airport link will be an extension of the 21.25-km Gottigere-Nagawara line to be built under Phase 2. “From Nagawara, the line will pass on Thanisandra road till Hegde Nagar, where it will turn left and pass through Jakkur. The line will meet the airport road near University of Agricultural Sciences and continue along the right side of the road. At the trumpet flyover, the line will turn right and reach the airport,” he said.

“The Metro line will run on the right side of the airport road (NH44) and enter the airport near its present entrance,” he said. The government already has five-metre-wide land along the airport road, which will help speed up the project, besides making it cost-effective, the officer added.

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation has set 2020 as the deadline for Phase 2, which includes the Gottigere-Nagawara line, which is a prerequisite for providing Metro service to the airport.

The finalised airport line requires more studies before preparing the detailed project report. A source said the minister will make a detailed announcement soon.

Another source said that Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda wanted the lines that passed through Kannur and Bagalur to connect the IT and hardware industries.

“It was later decided that a parallel line may be provided in future to boost connectivity to the IT and hardware sector,” the source added.

 

[Hindustani78]

Prime Minister's Office
17-June, 2017 12:52 IST
Speech by PM at the dedication of Kochi Metro to the Nation


The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today inaugurated the Kochi Metro, and travelled briefly on the new metro line. He later addressed a large gathering at the function to dedicate Kochi Metro to the nation.

Following is the text of the Prime Minister’s address:

I am happy to be part of the inauguration ceremony of Kochi Metro. I congratulate the people of Kochi on this proud moment.

Friends!

Kochi, the queen of the Arabian Sea, is an important spice trading centre. Today it is known as the commercial capital of Kerala. Kochi ranks first in the total number of international and domestic tourist arrivals in Kerala. Hence it is fitting that Kochi should have a Metro rail facility.

The city’s population has been rising steadily, and is expected to reach twenty three lakhs by 2021. Therefore, a mass rapid transport system is essential to address the increasing pressure on urban infrastructure. This will also contribute to Kochi’s economic growth.

Kochi Metro Rail Limited is a fifty - fifty Joint Venture of Government of India and Government of Kerala. The Union Government has so far released over two thousand crore rupees for Kochi Metro. The phase being inaugurated today will operate from Aluva to Palarivattom. It will cover 13.26 kilometres and eleven stations.

This metro project has several significant features.

It is the first metro project to be commissioned with a modern signalling system called the “Communication Based Train Control Signalling system”.

The coaches reflect the “Make in India” vision. They have been built by Alstom of France, at their factory near Chennai, and have an Indian component of around seventy percent.

The Kochi metro integrates the city’s entire public transportation network into a single system. This system will have a common time-table, common ticketing and centralised `command and control’. It also focuses on improving last mile connectivity and non-motorised transportation systems in the inner city.

The Kochi Metro has also pioneered an innovative PPP model for ticketing Indian banks and financial institutions are being invited through a bid process to invest in an Automated Fare Collection system. The selected bank will co-brand the Kochi Metro Fare Card and App with the bank’s name.

I am informed that this Kochi-1 Card is a multi-purpose pre-paid contact-less RuPay card which can be used to travel in the metro and also like a normal debit card. Kochi will be one of the few cities in the world and the first in India to have a modern open-loop Smart Card, which can be used with other modes of transport like buses, taxies and autos as well.

I am also informed that the Kochi-1 Mobile app has been developed with a long term vision. The mobile App has an Electronic-wallet integrated to it, which is linked to the Kochi-1 Card. Initially, it will enable citizens of Kochi to avail of metro services. In future, it will fulfil all their travel related requirements, regular payment needs and provide city and tourist information. Thus, it is a good example of an e-Governance digital platform. Another noteworthy aspect of this project is that nearly one thousand women and twenty-three transgenders are being selected to work in the Kochi Metro Rail System.

The project is also an example of environment friendly development. It plans to meet nearly twenty five percent of the entire energy requirements from renewable sources, particularly solar energy. The long-term plan is to become a zero-carbon emitting urban transit system. Every sixth pillar of the metro system will have a covered vertical garden, which will substantially use urban solid waste.

It is heartening to note that all stations as well as the Operation Control Centre of Kochi Metro have achieved platinum rating which is the highest certification level given by the Indian Green Building Council.

Friends!

Over the last three years, my Government has placed special focus on overall infrastructure development of the nation. Railways, roads, power have been our priority areas. In PRAGATI meetings, I have personally reviewed nearly 175 projects worth more than eight lakh crore rupees. We have resolved bottlenecks and significantly improved the average rate of implementation in these sectors. Now, we are also focusing on next generation infrastructure, which includes logistics, digital and gas.

A number of initiatives have been taken by us to enhance public transport particularly in the cities. Foreign investment has been invited in this sector. Fifty cities in India are ready to implement metro rail projects.

The economic and social benefits of metro rail systems are well-known. We have speeded up policy formulation in this sector. Recently, the Government of India has standardized the specifications for rolling stock and signalling systems of metro rail. This will encourage manufacturers to set-up manufacturing facilities in India with a long-term perspective. In line with the “Make in India” vision, efforts are being made to promote domestic manufacture of metro rolling stock.

Friends!

There is need to bring about a paradigm shift in urban planning, by adopting a people-centric approach, and integrating land-use and transport.

Towards this end, the Government of India issued a National Transit Oriented Development Policy in April 2017. This policy seeks to transform cities, from being transit dependent to being transit oriented. It aims to create compact walkable communities and bring public transport closer to transit.

I compliment the Union Ministry of Urban Development led by Venkaiah ji for having formulated a Value Capture Finance Policy Framework. This provides a mechanism to capture the increased land value.

Let me conclude by congratulating the citizens of Kochi, the Kochi Metro Rail Corporation and the Chief Minister of Kerala for achieving this important milestone. Kochi was selected as a Smart City in Round One of the challenge process in January 2016. I hope it will do even better in the days to come.

Thank You.

***

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi being received by the Governor of Kerala, Justice (Retd.) Shri P. Sathasivam and the Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan on his arrival, at Kochi, in Kerala on June 17, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi being received by the Governor of Kerala, Justice (Retd.) Shri P. Sathasivam and the Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan on his arrival, at Kochi, in Kerala on June 17, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi dedicating the Kochi Metro to the Nation, in Kerala on June 17, 2017. The Governor of Kerala, Justice (Retd.) Shri P. Sathasivam and the Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and Information & Broadcasting, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu are also seen.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi dedicating the Kochi Metro to the Nation, in Kerala on June 17, 2017. The Governor of Kerala, Justice (Retd.) Shri P. Sathasivam, the Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and Information & Broadcasting, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, the Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan and other dignitaries are also seen.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi dedicating the Kochi Metro to the Nation, in Kerala on June 17, 2017. The Governor of Kerala, Justice (Retd.) Shri P. Sathasivam, the Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and Information & Broadcasting, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, the Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan and other dignitaries are also seen.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressing the gathering after dedicating the Kochi Metro to the Nation, at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kalur, in Kerala on June 17, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressing the gathering after dedicating the Kochi Metro to the Nation, at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kalur, in Kerala on June 17, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurating the Kochi Metro, in Kerala on June 17, 2017. The Governor of Kerala, Justice (Retd.) Shri P. Sathasivam, the Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and Information & Broadcasting, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu and the Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan are also seen.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurating the Kochi Metro, in Kerala on June 17, 2017. The Governor of Kerala, Justice (Retd.) Shri P. Sathasivam, the Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and Information & Broadcasting, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, the Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan and the Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development, Shri Rajiv Gauba are also seen.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and other dignitaries take a ride on Kochi Metro, in Kerala on June 17, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and other dignitaries take a ride on Kochi Metro, in Kerala on June 17, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi being seen off by the Governor of Kerala, Justice (Retd.) Shri P. Sathasivam and the Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, on his departure from Kochi Airport, Kerala on June 17, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi being seen off by the Governor of Kerala, Justice (Retd.) Shri P. Sathasivam and the Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, on his departure from Kochi Airport, Kerala on June 17, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

Trial runs commence on the 6.5 km long Shakurpur-Mayapuri section of the Delhi Metros Pink Line in New Delhi.

 

[Hindustani78]

Uttar Pradesh is poised to join the ranks of eight operational metro rail projects already functioning in Indian cities, bagging the title of being Uttar Pradesh’s first functional metro line in the process. With the first phase set to launch in July 2017, the Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation Limited is optimistic about the reduction in road traffic and has plans of implementing integrated prepaid smart cards that will be acceptable not only for payment of metro fares but also civic amenities. (Subhankar Chakraborty/HT PHOTO)

The 811 meters long tunnel starts in front of Bapu Bhavan, ending in front of Mayfair in Hazratganj. It runs 60 meters deep into and crosses several old buildings in the city. (Subhankar Chakraborty/HT Photo)

A view of the operations station Control room for the Lucknow Metro which will monitor both corridors of the city’s metro line. (Subhankar Chakraborty/HT Photo)

Metro rail trials are in progress, seen here from Transport Nagar to Charbagh on the North-South elevated corridor in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. (Subhankar Chakraborty/HT Photo)

The Lucknow metro project involves routes that crisscross between underground and elevated corridors depending on feasibility and impact to surroundings. (Subhankar Chakraborty/HT Photo)

Workers inspect a train carriage at the Lucknow Metro Depot. (Subhankar Chakraborty/HT Photo)

A metro worker walks down the serpentine tunnel which eventually passes under the city’s iconic Hazratganj shopping district. (Subhankar Chakraborty/HT Photo)

A view of the Charbagh station, the four-way intersection point for both metro lines underway in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. (Subhankar Chakraborty/HT Photo)

 

[Hindustani78]

Cabinet
16-August, 2017 15:54 IST
Union Cabinet approves new Metro Rail Policy; Focus on compact urban development, cost reduction and multi-modal integration

Policy opens a big window for private investments: PPP component must for getting Central assistance

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today approved a new Metro Rail Policy that seeks to enable realization of growing metro rail aspirations of a large number of cities but in a responsible manner.


The policy opens a big window for private investments across a range of metro operations making PPP component mandatory for availing central assistance for new metro projects. Private investment and other innovative forms of financing of metro projects have been made compulsory to meet the huge resource demand for capital intensive high capacity metro projects.


“Private participation either for complete provision of metro rail or for some unbundled components (like Automatic Fare Collection, Operation & Maintenance of services etc) will form an essential requirement for all metro ra il projects seeking central financial assistance” says the policy, to capitalize on private resources, expertise and entrepreneurship.


In view of inadequate availability and even absence of last mile connectivity at present, the new policy seeks to ensure it focusing on a catchment area of five kms. on either side of metro stations requiring States to commit in project reports to provide necessary last mile connectivity through feeder services, Non-Motorised Transport infrastructure like walking and cycling pathways and introduction of para-transport facilities. States, proposing new metro projects will be required to indicate in project report the proposals and investments that would be made for such services.

Seeking to ensure that least cost mass transit mode is selected for public transport, the new policy mandates Alternate Analysis, requiring evaluation of other modes of mass transit like BRTS (Bus Rapid Transit System), Light Rail Transit, Tramways, Metro Rail and Regional Rail in terms of demand, capacity, cost and ease of implementation. Setting up of Urban Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) has been made mandatory which is to prepare Comprehensive Mobility Plans for cities for ensuring complete multi-modal integration for optimal utilization of capacities.


The new Metro Rail Policy provides for rigorous assessment of new metro proposals and proposes an independent third party assessment by agencies to be identified by the Government like the Institute of Urban Transport and other such Centres of Excellence whose capacities would be augmented, as required in this regard.


Taking note of substantial social, economic and environmental gains of metro projects, the Policy stipulated a shift from the present ‘Financial Internal Rate of Return of 8%’ to ‘Economic Internal Rate of Return of 14%’ for approving metro projects, in line with global practices.


Noting that urban mass transit projects should not merely be seen as urban transport projects but more as urban transformation projects, the new policy mandates Transit Oriented Development (TOD) to promote compact and dense urban development along metro corridors since TOD reduces travel distances besides enabling efficient land use in urban areas. Under the policy, States need to adopt innovative mechanisms like Value Capture Financing tools to mobilize resources for financing metro projects by capturing a share of increase in the asset values through ‘Betterment Levy’. States would also be required to enable low cost debt capital through issuance of corporate bonds for metro projects.


Seeking to ensure financial viability of metro projects, the new Metro Rail Policy requires the States to clearly indicate in the project report the measures to be taken for commercial/property development at stations and on other urban land and for other means of maximum non-fare revenue generation through advertisements, lease of space etc., backed by statutory support. States are also required to commit to accord all required permissions and approvals.

The new policy empowers States to make rules and regulations and set up permanent Fare Fixation Authority for timely revision of fares. States can take up metro projects exercising any of the three options for availing central assistance. These include; PPP with central assistance under the Viability Gap Funding scheme of the Ministry of Finance, Grant by Government of India under which 10% of the project cost will be given as lump sum central assistance and 50:50 Equity sharing model between central and state governments. Under all these options, private participation, however, is mandatory.


The policy envisages private sector participation in O & M of metro services in different ways. These include:


1.Cost plus fee contract: Private operator is paid a monthly/annual payment for O&M of system. This can have a fixed and variable component depending on the quality of service. Operational and revenue risk is borne by the owner.

2. Gross Cost Contract: Private operator is paid a fixed sum for the duration of the contract. Operator to bear the O&M risk while the owner bears the revenue risk.


3. Net Cost Contract: Operator collects the complete revenue generated for the services provided. If revenue generation is below the O&M cost, the owner may agree to compensate.

At present, metro projects with a total length of 370 kms are operational in 8 cities viz., Delhi (217 kms), Bengaluru (42.30 kms), Kolkata (27.39 kms), Chennai (27.36 kms), Kochi (13.30 kms), Mumbai (Metro Line 1-11.40 km, Mono Rail Phase 1-9.0 km), Jaipur-9.00 kms and Gurugram (Rapid Metro-1.60 km).

Metro Projects with a total length of 537 kms are in progress in 13 cities including the eight mentioned above. New cities acquiring metro services are; Hyderabad (71 kms), Nagpur (38 kms), Ahmedabad (36 kms), Pune (31.25 kms) and Lucknow (23 kms).

Metro projects with a total length of 595 kms in 13 cities including 10 new cities are at various stages of planning and appraisal. These are; Delhi Metro Phase IV- 103.93 km, Delhi & NCR-21.10 km, Vijayawada-26.03 km, Visakhapatnam-42.55 km, Bhopal-27.87 km, Indore-31.55 km, Kochi Metro Phase II-11.20 km, Greater Chandigarh Region Metro Project-37.56 km, Patna-27.88 km, Guwahati-61 km, Varanasi-29.24 km, Thiruvananthapuram & Kozhikode (Light Rail Transport)-35.12 km and Chennai Phase II-107.50 km.


*****

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Steel
04-September, 2017 17:35 IST
SAIL supplies 20,000 tonnes steel for Lucknow Metro Rail project

Steel Authority of India ltd. (SAIL) has once again proudly partnered in nation’s prestigious infrastructure project by supplying steel for Lucknow Metro Rail Project, whose first phase is scheduled to be inaugurated on 5th September, 2017. SAIL has supplied around 20,000 tonnes of steel for the 8.5 Kms long priority stretch of the North-South Corridor of Lucknow Metro Rail which will operate in between Transport Nagar and Lucknow Charbagh Railway station. SAIL has supplied reinforcement bars, structural steel and plates for this stretch and is ready to supply for the remaining stretch. SAIL has supplied more than 3 lakh tonnes of steel for India's different metro construction projects including the upcoming metro projects.

Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation (LMRC) project is presently in two phases, of which the Phase I comprises of 22.8 Kms long North-South Corridor and an 11 Kms long Phase II forming the East-West Corridor.

The Company is expanding its product range and capacity to supply value added products including both long and flat products like Structurals, TMTs, Wire Rods, Plates etc for infrastructure, construction, engineering, industrial segments. SAIL has been supplying steel for construction of major projects of national importance, including the recently inaugurated Dhola-Sadiya Bridge, several metro projects at Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, major airports, country's longest road tunnel connecting Chenani-Nashri in J&K, for under construction projects like Polavaram multi-purpose irrigation project, Statue of Unity in Gujrat etc. SAIL is also actively entering into the ready to use steel products segment to establish last mile connectivity with customers and end consumers.