‘India emerging as hub for metro coaches’

[Hindustani78]

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh and the Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath lighting the lamp during the inauguration of Lucknow Metro Rail, on September 05, 2017. The Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Ram Naik and other dignitaries are also seen.

The Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Ram Naik, the Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, the Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath and other dignitaries at the inauguration of Lucknow Metro Rail, on September 05, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...cknow-metro/article19625609.ece?homepage=true

The maiden run of the Lucknow Metro has been flagged-off by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and U.P. CM Yogi Adityanath on September 5.

Here are the key points that you need to know about the rail service.

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  The portion of the Lucknow Metro that is now open is the 8.5-km-long stretch from Transport Nagar to Charbagh.
  
  This will now be operational from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.
  
  This corridor is part of the 22.8-km-long North-South Corridor, from airport till Munshi Pulia.
  
  The North-South Corridor will have 21 stations, including eight elevated ones.
  
  There is also an East-West corridor coming up, from Charbagh Railway station till Vasant Kunj, covering 11 km, including 6.3 km underground.
  
  The work for the Lucknow Metro started in September 2014 and the trial run for this section was conducted on December 1, 2016.
  
  ‘Metro-man’ E. Sreedharan is the principal advisor of the Lucknow Metro.
  
  The exterior of the trains will showcase Chikankari craftsmanship.
  
  The estimated cost of Phase-1A is ₹6,928 crore, a joint venture of the State and Central governments.
  
  Daily expected ridership on the North-South corridor is 6.44 lakh (year 2020), while for the East-West line it is 2.43 lakh.
  
  Currently, metro runs only in eight cities — Delhi (217 km), Bengaluru (42.30 km), Kolkata (27.39 km), Chennai (27.36 km), Jaipur (9 km), Kochi (13.30 km), Mumbai Metro Line 1 (11.40 km), Mumbai Mono Rail Phase 1 (9 km) and Gurugram Rapid Metro (11.60 km).
  
  

 

[Hindustani78]

Photos: Lucknow Metro rolls out, open to public tomorrow
Sep 05, 2017 18:06 IST

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Authorities also hope the Lucknow Metro service will help reduce air pollution in the state capital in the long run. (Deepak Gupta / HT PHOTO)

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Authorities also hope the Lucknow Metro service will help reduce air pollution in the state capital in the long run. (Deepak Gupta / HT PHOTO)

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Lucknow Metro service was launched on Tuesday by Union home minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath. According to officials it is the country’s most advanced system that comprises state-of-the-art Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) and is convenient, safe, fast, reliable as well as cost-effective. (Deepak Gupta / HT PHOTO)

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‘The coaches have the most advanced signalling and train control system called the Communication Based Train Control System (CBTC), which can enable the Metro to virtually operate on a ‘driverless’ mode,’ Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation’s managing director Kumar Keshav said. (Subhankar Chakraborty/HT PHOTO)

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First Lucknow metro driver Puja poses for a photo during the inauguration of Lucknow metro. ‘Inspired by the heritage of Lucknow, the exterior of the train is a tribute to the cultural richness of the city of nawabs. The exterior livery in golden colour is inspired by chikankari. The front portion of the train symbolises the spirit of Rumi Gate, Bara-Imambara and Asifi Masjid. The black colour used in the front portion of the coach gives it a modern feel synonymous with Hazratganj’, added Keshav. (Subhankar Chakraborty/HT PHOTO)

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Home minister Rajnath Singh, UP Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister of UP Yogi Adityanath with other state ministers were present at the inauguration. Services will be opened for public use on Wednesday on the 8.5-km-long ‘priority corridor’ from Transport Nagar to Charbagh. The launch is part of the phase-1 of the project and will be run from 6am to 10pm every day. (Subhankar Chakraborty/HT PHOTO)

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The eight Metro stations – Transport Nagar, Krishna Nagar, Singar Nagar, Alambagh, Alambagh Bus Station, Mawaiyya, Durgapuri, and Charbagh – have been awarded platinum certificates by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), one of the apex bodies in the country to rate and certify a system for its environment friendly approach. (Subhankar Chakraborty/HT PHOTO)

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Authorities also hope the Lucknow Metro service will help reduce air pollution in the state capital in the long run. (Deepak Gupta / HT PHOTO)

 

[Hindustani78]

The Union Minister for Railways and Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal briefing the media on High Speed Train Project between Mumbai - Ahmedabad (popularly referred to as Bullet Train project), in New Delhi on September 11, 2017.

The Union Minister for Railways and Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal briefing the media on High Speed Train Project between Mumbai - Ahmedabad (popularly referred to as Bullet Train project), in New Delhi on September 11, 2017. The Minister of State for Communications (I/C) and Railways, Shri Manoj Sinha and the Chairman, Railway Board, Shri Ashwani Lohani are also seen.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
26-September, 2017 18:38 IST
Delhi Chief Minister agrees to take forward Metro Phase-IV project as per financing norms

Shri Arvind Kejriwal meets HUA Minister Shri Hardeep Singh Puri; both discuss Delhi issues

Chief Minister of Delhi Shri Arvind Kejriwal today said that the proposal regarding Phase-IV of Delhi Metro will soon be sent to the Union Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs as per the financing policy norms for further consideration and approval. This issue was discussed when Shri Kejriwal paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Hardeep Singh Puri.

The Minister and the Chief Minister discussed various issues including decongestion of traffic in Delhi, Delhi Government’s concurrence for the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), better maintenance of sewers, sanitation etc. Shri Kejriwal said that Delhi Government will work with the centre for betterment of the national capital. The Chief Minister said he will have the issues raised by Shri Puri considered on priority.

Shri Puri later asked Shri Durga Shanker Mishra, Secretary(HUA) to coordinate with Delhi Government for taking necessary action for decongestion of traffic in the national capital as per the recommendations made in the Report of The High Powered Committee on Decongesting Traffic in Delhi. This Report was furnished to Delhi Government in June last year.

Chief Minister of Delhi Shri Arvind Kejriwal with Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs Shri Hardeep Singh Puri in New Delhi on September 26, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

Cabinet
27-September, 2017 16:02 IST
Cabinet approves permanent transfer of land measuring 1899 sq.m. by AAI to Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation (LMRC) at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, Lucknow

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval to the permanent transfer of land measuring 1899 sq.m. by Airports Authority of India (AAI) to Lucknow Metro Rail Corportion (LMRC) at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, Lucknow.

The land is required by LMRC for the construction of Entry/Exit structure for Transport Nagar Metro Station which is an operational requirement of LMRC. This is a Public Utility Project of mass transportation to be used by the public at large, and will provide better connectivity and convenience to general public.



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[Hindustani78]

CHENNAI, September 27, 2017 00:55 IST
Updated: September 27, 2017 07:39 IST
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...n-operator-jobs-to-agency/article19759071.ece

Routine measure: CMRL officials say there is no harm in outsourcing certain jobs and that the existing train operators have been moved to different roles. File | Photo Credit: V. Ganesan


Employees unhappy, say move will hit their morale
In a recent move, Chennai Metro Rail has outsourced several train operators jobs to a private agency. So far, only maintenance of stations was outsourced.

According to sources in Chennai Metro Rail project, this has displeased a section of its employees who think it is unreasonable to outsource the train operator’s job. “While many think, it’s a mundane job, for a handful who were exclusively recruited for this, it is sacred and special. We are displeased with this move. They certainly cannot display the same loyalty and contribute like us. If everything is going to be outsourced, then we lose the morale to work,” a source said.

The staff who earlier drove trains now handle station controlling and other related jobs.

“As far as we know, this was done to cut down cost; if we are paid around ₹25,000-30,000, the outsourced workers may be given about ₹10,000 less,” the source added.

Chennai Metro Rail Limited has 45 train operators and now 54 staff from the private agency for the operator’s job.

Officials said there is no harm in outsourcing a part of operations and this was certainly not done as part of any austerity measure. Since the number of people travelling had substantially increased over the last three years with the addition of new networks, these outsourced staff have been brought in.

“Anyway, our operators train these staff. They have been given a better role as station controllers,” an official said.

“We are living in an age where there are driverless trains. And see Metro Rail projects like Hyderabad, which is built on public private partnership. Our aim is to only ensure the project doesn’t suffer,” he added.

Chennai Metro Rail currently operates over 26 km in the city with two elevated and one underground network and about 14,000-15,000 people travel everyday.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan presenting a memento to the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs (I/C), Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, at the inaugural ceremony of the second reach of Kochi Metro, in Kochi on October 03, 2017.

The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs (I/C), Shri Hardeep Singh Puri at the inaugural ceremony of the second reach of Kochi Metro, in Kochi on October 03, 2017. The Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan and the Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development, Shri Durga Shanker Mishra are also seen.

The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs (I/C), Shri Hardeep Singh Puri delivering the presidential address, at the inaugural ceremony of the second reach of Kochi Metro, in Kochi on October 03, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

A green run organised by KMRL along the metro’s new stretch on Monday.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities...h-to-be-inaugurated-today/article19787565.ece

Chief Minister to flag off train at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium station

Five kilometres, five stations, nine trains, 153 pillars and a running time of 10 minutes. That in a nutshell summarise the second city extension of Kochi metro between Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and Maharaja’s College Ground.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the commercial services on the stretch at a function to be held at Ernakulam Town Hall on Tuesday at 11 a.m. Union Minister of State for Urban Development Hardeep Singh Puri will preside.

Prior to the inaugural function, Mr. Vijayan will flag off the metro train from the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium station. Then the Chief Minister along with the Union Minister will take the metro ride upto the Maharaja’s College station. The commercial services along the new route will witness metro trains stop at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kaloor, Lissie and M.G. Road stations before winding up the five-kilometre long service at the Maharaja’s College Ground station.

The longest distance between two stations will be 1.20 kilometres between Lissie and M.G. Road followed by 1.17 kilometres between M.G. Road and Maharaja’s College Ground, 1.03 kilometres between stadium and Kaloor and 0.473 kilometres between Kaloor and Lissie. The service between the stadium station and Maharaja’s College Ground will be operated using nine trains while two will be put on standby to be deployed for emergencies.

There are 153 pillars on the stretch between Palarivattom and Maharaja’s College Ground with the tallest being the one over North Overbridge.

Stations

Like other metro stations between Aluva and Palarivattom, station designs follow a thematic pattern.

The addition of five stations on the new stretch takes the total number of stations between Aluva and Maharaja’s College Ground to 16. Stadium and M.G. Road stations are among the six out of the 22 metro stations selected as theme-based stations, the others being the stations at Aluva, Cusat, Edappally and Changampuzha Park. The rest of the stations follow the visually appealing theme of Western Ghats.

Unsurprisingly, the stadium station has been designed based on the sports history of Kerala. The achievements of the State in the fields of cricket, football, and athletics in addition to Kalaripayattu find refection on the pillars of the station.

At Kaloor stadium, it is all about the mesmerising beauty of rain in the backdrop of Western Ghats complete with the images of waterfalls and rivers while butterflies are what stand out in the design of Lissie station. The theme station at M.G. Road has been designed reflecting the history of the district while the station at Maharaja’s College Ground has been designed around the flora and fauna of Western Ghats.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Finance
05-October, 2017 16:40 IST
India signs €300 million Finance Contract with European Investment Bank (EIB) for financing Bangalore Metro Rail Project Phase II- Line R6.

Government of India and European Investment Bank (EIB) today signed the Finance Contract for lending of € 300 million for Bangalore Metro Rail Project Phase II Line R6. The agreement was signed by Shri S. Selvakumar, Joint Secretary (BC), Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Government of India and Mr. Andrew McDowell, Vice President, EIB, on behalf of the EIB.

Bangalore Metro Rail Project Phase II is to be jointly financed by the European Investment Bank (€500 million) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (€300 million). The first tranche of Euro 300mn was signed today. The project envisages extension of East-West & North-South lines for Bangalore Metro Rail which includes a total length of 72.095 km (13.79 km underground) and 61 stations with 12 underground stations. The project implementation period is 5 years from date of commencement of the Project.

The objective of the project is to bring in a quantum improvement in the transportation sector in the city in tandem with the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and other modes of urban transport. The project aims to ensure modern transport facility for the commuters. The spinoffs of the project would include employment opportunities, benefits to the economy, reduction of number of vehicles on road, less fuel consumption, reduction in air pollution, reduction in passenger travel time and also improvement in the aesthetic value of the city.

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[Hindustani78]

The Joint Secretary, DEA, Shri S. Selvakumar and the Vice President, European Investment Bank, Mr. Andrew McDowell signed the Bangalore Metro Rail Project Finance Contract, in New Delhi on October 05, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu lighting the lamp to inaugurate the International Conference on Technological Advancements in Railway & Metro Projects 2017, in New Delhi on October 06, 2017. The Union Minister for Railways and Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal is also seen.

The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu at an event to inaugurate the International Conference on Technological Advancements in Railway & Metro Projects 2017, in New Delhi on October 06, 2017. The Union Minister for Railways and Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal and other dignitaries are also seen.

The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu addressing the International Conference on Technological Advancements in Railway & Metro Projects 2017, in New Delhi on October 06, 2017. The Union Minister for Railways and Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal and other dignitaries are also seen.

The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu addressing the International Conference on Technological Advancements in Railway & Metro Projects 2017, in New Delhi on October 06, 2017.

The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu addressing the International Conference on Technological Advancements in Railway & Metro Projects 2017, in New Delhi on October 06, 2017. The Union Minister for Railways and Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal and other dignitaries are also seen.

The Union Minister for Railways and Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal addressing the International Conference on Technological Advancements in Railway & Metro Projects 2017, in New Delhi on October 06, 2017.

The Union Minister for Railways and Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal addressing the International Conference on Technological Advancements in Railway & Metro Projects 2017, in New Delhi on October 06, 2017.

The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu releasing the Souvenir on the International Conference on Technological Advancements in Railway & Metro Projects 2017, in New Delhi on October 06, 2017. The Union Minister for Railways and Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal and other dignitaries are also seen.

The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu signing the Visitor’s Book at the International Conference on Technological Advancements in Railway & Metro Projects 2017, in New Delhi on October 06, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

Wearing away: The cracks on Ripon Buildings are expanding due to Metro Rail excavation.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/metro-rail-work-causing-new-cracks/article20240609.ece

Experts from Gujarat to begin repair on Ripon Buildings on November 14

Visitors to Ripon Buildings, Greater Chennai Corporation’s seat of power, have been noticing new cracks on the façade which are now visible from the road itself.

Experts from Gujarat will visit the Ripon Buildings on November 14 to start repair work in the heritage structure.

According to Corporation engineers, Metro Rail has been excavating below the foundation of the building located on the arterial Poonamallee High Road, close to Chennai Central where it plans a massive city centre.

The Ripon Buildings has a ‘well foundation.’ Excavation here led to cracks which have been widening, says a engineer at the corporation. The Metro Rail officials monitor the building on a daily basis and the IIT-Madras has also prepared a report.

According to sources, the Metro Rail has informed the Corporation that the cracks have been stable for the past 45 days, and suitable for commencing repair work.

“Workers from Gujarat will reach here next week. They will use imported steel for reinforcement and stitch the cracks using a specialised technology. The work, estimated at ₹54 lakh will be completed in two months,” said a civic official.

“The cracks near the tower clock has become visible only after the onset of the northeast monsoon. The building seems to be affected by the excavation. The data should be analysed by more engineers, not just a few experts from select institutions,” an employee of the Corporation demanded.

‘No data made public’

Councillors of the previous Corporation Council had asked for the data collected by Metro Rail on the structural condition of the building to assess the damage. But the Metro Rail officials had been reiterating that their work had not caused the damage to the heritage building. The report submitted by IIT-M and Metro Rail officialson the cracks have also not been made public, they charged.

A few years ago, material collapsed from a portion of the Corporation Council hall on the seats that are usually occupied by the AIADMK councillors. The civic body has already spent over₹23 crore on restoration of the heritage building.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities...-about-metro-rail-opening/article20399936.ece

HYDERABAD, November 13, 2017 23:22 IST
Updated: November 14, 2017 08:53 IST

The project has several firsts to its credit
As the date for the launch of the first phase of Hyderabad Metro Rail is fast approaching, the State government is waiting for an official communication from the Prime Minister’s Office regarding the inauguration of the prestigious project.

The government is keen on inauguration of the project by the Prime Minister as the Hyderabad Metro Rail had several firsts to its credit.

The project has set a record as the biggest project in public-private partnership mode in the railways sector.

Municipal Administration Minister K. T. Rama Rao said the first phase of the project spanning 30 km between Nagole and Miyapur was the longest of its kind in the country as similar projects in other States were launched over much shorter distances.

“We are keen that Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi inaugurate the project since it has several firsts to its credit. There is no official communication from the Prime Minister’s Office as yet,” he told the Legislative Assembly.

The project between Nagole and Miyapur was complete in stretches last year itself, but the government wanted an end-to-end solution to commuters on the 30-km stretch.

The number of trains required for the project was estimated at 57 and all of them had already arrived in the State.

“In fact, the Chief Minister had sent two trains to Nagpur on the request of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who asked for assistance in bridging the shortfall in their project,” Mr. K.T. Rama Rao said.

The project agreement was signed in 2012 with a time line of 5 years for its completion and the project was on track of completion after the initial delays.

Work on the project was surveyed by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation which expressed satisfaction over the progress.

 

[Hindustani78]

Cabinet
15-December, 2017 17:20 IST
Cabinet approves creation of one circle office of Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety for carrying out the functions of Commission of Metro Railway Safety under the Ministry of Civil Aviation

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the creation of one circle office of Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS), along-with all supporting officers and staffs for carrying out the functions of Commission of Metro Railway Safety as envisaged in the "Metro Railways (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2002", in the Commission of Railway Safety under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

The Cabinet also allowed assigning of additional charge of two circles to two existing Commissioners of Railway safety (CRSs) who will exercise their powers within their existing jurisdiction. These circles will not be under the jurisdiction of CMRS, New Delhi.

The post of Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety will be in HAG ( pay level 15) in the Commission of Railway Safety under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The estimated expenditure on salary will be around Rs 59,39,040 per annum for the (one) Circle office. Apart from the initial establishment of the organization. The likely expenses for the Circle office per year will be Rs.7,50,000.

Creation of these posts will ensure focused attention on the passenger safety and metro rail operation related issues, in respect of existing, as well as upcoming various metro rail projects, as envisaged in the "Metro Railways (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2002", in the Commission of Railway Safety under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Implementation strategy and targets:

The post of Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety shall be filled from the cadre of Indian Railway Engineering Services (IRSE, IRSEE, IRSSE, RSME) & IRTS by the Ministry of Civil Aviation through nomination from willing officers from Ministry of Railways in consultation with UPSC, initially according to Recruitment Rules for Commissioner of Railway Safety in the Commission of Railway Safety. The process to fill up the posts shall be initiated within two months.

The proposal for creation of the posts of Dy. Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (Dy.CMRS) and supporting staff will be taken up with the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance. On receipt of their approval, orders for creation of the post shall be released immediately.

Background:

The Commission of Railway Safety working under the administrative control of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (Govt. of India), deals with the matters pertaining to safety of rail travel and train operation and is charged with certain statutory functions laid down in the Railway Act'1989. These functions are inspectorial, investigatory and advisory in nature. The Commission functions according to certain rules framed under the railways Act and executive instructions issued from time to time. The most important duty of the Commission is to ensure that any new railway line to be opened for passenger traffic should conform to the standard and specifications prescribed by the Ministry of Railways and the new line is safe in all respects for carrying the passenger traffic. This is also applicable to other works such as gauge conversion, doubling of lines and electrification of existing lines etc. The Commission also conducts statutory inquiries into serious train accidents and makes recommendations for improving safety on the railways in India.

With a view to accord priority to passenger safety and also to ensure uniformity in safety certification, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs while enacting the "Metro railways (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2002", has assigned similar functions to Commissioner of Metro Railway safety (CMRS) in respect of Metro Railways. The CMRS will be administratively under the control of Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety under Ministry of Civil Aviation.

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