Round Up

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH

Sanjay K Mohanty appointed as new Member (Operations & Business Development) Railway Board

The Ministry of Railway, Govt. of India has appointed Sanjay Kumar Mohanty, a 1984 batch of Indian Railways Traffic Service (IRTS), on the post of Member (Operations & Business Development) Railway Board (Ministry of Railways) and Ex. Officio Secretary to the Government of India. Shri Mohanty has taken over the charge of new Member (Operations & Business Development) Railway Board and Ex. Officio Secretary to the Government of India today from Shri P. S. Mishra, IRTS. Shri Mohanty was General Manager, South Eastern Railway (SER) prior to his elevation to the post of Railway Board Member.

Amit Banerjee appointed as new Chairman-cumManaging Director of BEML Limited

Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), an Indian Public Sector Undertakings, has appointed Amit Banerjee as Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) with effect from May 1, 2021. His selection was announced by Public Enterprise Selection Board (PSEB) in the board meeting held on April 26, 2021. Prior to assuming the present position, Shri Banerjee was Director (Rail & Metro).

Wabtec to provide major rolling stock components for Delhi-Meerut RRTS Train

Wabtec Corporation on May 4, 2021, announced that it will support the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transport Systems (RRTS) with critical component orders valued at about $15 million for new rolling stock. The company will supply advanced technology brake systems, pantographs, roof disconnector switches and fully integrated passenger information systems to Alstom, which is building the coaches for the project.

Govt of India, EIB sign €150 million loan agreement for Pune Metro Rail Project

The Government of India and European Investment Bank (EIB) signed the loan agreement for the second tranche of Euro 150 million for the Pune Metro Rail project through a virtual signing ceremony. The signing ceremony was held in the presence of H.E. Mr. Francisco Andre, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Portugal and Werner Hoyer, President EIB on May 7, 2021.

CIDCO conducts trial run test for Navi Mumbai Metro Project

The City & Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO) on May 6, 2021, announced that it has carried out a trial test run of a metro train on the approach route to and the test track at Taloja metro depot. The corporation claimed that it was “successful in all respects” . It has been noted that CIDCO has promised to launch the services between Kharghar and Taloja stations by December this year and the test was done on the line stretching around 850 meters with a speed limit of below 65 km per hour.

RITES submits final report on Guwahati Metro Rail Project

The Indian Railways consultancy firm RITES Limited has submitted the final Comprehensive Mobility Plan & Alternative Analysis report on the Guwahati Metro Rail project for Guwahati to the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA). The firm has suggested Metro Neo system as low-cost MRT System for the City. The Guwahati Metro Rail project has been enlisted by the Govt. of India as a planning stage project. In January 2016, RITES Ltd. had completed the Feasibility Report and the detailed project report (DPR) of Phase-I for the Rail-based Mass Rapid Transit System for Guwahati.

UP Metro Rail Corporation in search of Managing Director

The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (UPMRC) on May 19, 2021, has issued notification for the appointment of Managing Director on the pay-scale of Rs 2,00,000 - 3,70,000/- (IDA) along with other perks and allowances. The extended tenure of present Managing Director Shri Kumar Keshav will be ended on August 18, 2021.

MMRDA appoints consultant for taking over of Mumbai Metro Line 1

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is planning to take over the operation and maintenance of 11.5 km Mumbai Metro's Line 1 (VersovaAndheri-Ghatkopar) before launching the most awaited Line 2A & 7. In this regard, the executive committee of the MMRDA has recently approved the appointment of a consultant to carry out due diligence of assets of Mumbai Metro Line 1 before a formal takeover. R-Infra has evaluated its share value between Rs 2,500-2,600 crore for its share in MMOPL. The consultant will visit all the assets created by MMOPL, assess their value and compare against their book value, which will enable MMRDA to decide on the amount to be paid to R-Infra. The consultant will submit their report in the next four months.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation reported Rs 1,785 crore loss in FY2020-21

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) incurred losses of Rs 1,784.87 crores in the financial year 2020-21 with operations either curbed or stopped because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The metro services on the Delhi Metro Rail network were shut for over five months last year during the nationwide lockdown and have been closed again for the past two weeks, as part of the Delhi government’s measures to curb the rapid spread of the Covid-19 infection.

SAIL started production of better rail tracks than European countries

The state-run government Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has commenced production of high-quality rails (R-260 grade rail) for the Railway industry in its Bhilai Steel Plant. The quality of these rails is better than the rails being used in European countries. On this type of rail track, not only can be used for running high-speed trains but the goods trains can also be run faster than before.

NITI Aayog, MoR accords sanction for mobilising funds for Kerala Semi-HSR project

The NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Railways (MoR) have accorded sanction for mobilising of funds from multilateral and bilateral agencies for the implementation of the 530-km Kerala Semi-High Speed Rail Corridor Project (Silver Line).

NHSRCL commences LiDAR survey for MumbaiPune-Hyderabad High Speed Rail Corridor Project

The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) commenced Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) survey for the Mumbai- Pune - Hyderabad High Speed Rail Corridor Project on May 13, 2021.

PMC standing committee approves increased allocation for Swargate - Katraj Metro Corridor

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) received approval from the standing committee for increased allocation of funds for the Swargate - Katraj Metro Rail Project. The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 4,283 crore, PMC will have to contribute Rs 733.85 crore in the project including Rs 248.62 crore of land acquisition and rehabilitation cost. As per new proposal, the increased allocation of Rs 733.85 crore including Rs 485.23 crore made which is 15 per ent financial contribution in the project and land acquisition and rehabilitation cost of Rs 248.62 crore.

State cabinet approves transfer of land for Hinjewadi - Shivajinagar metro in Maharashtra

The Maharashtra cabinet approved transfer of 4.75 hectares (ha) of land in Balewadi for the Hinjewadi - Shivajinagar Metro Rail Project (Corridor 3 of Pune Metro) on May 12, 2021.

MMRDA commenced trial run on 20-km Line 2A & 7 of Mumbai Metro Rail Project

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) commenced a trial test run of the metro train on Mumbai Metro's Line 2A and Line 7 on May 31, 2021. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray flagged off the trial run from Aakurli Metro station for these two corridors, which run along the Link Road and Western Express Highway in the Western suburbs of Mumbai. The maiden trial run ceremony was witnessed by deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, urban development minister Eknath Shinde, tourism minister Aaditya Thackeray, Metropolitan Commissioner RA Rajeev and other senior officials from the project wing.