A unique opportunity for architects & designers to help Indian Railways redesign & revamp Railway Stations! Participate in International Design Competition for Development of state-of-the-art Railway Stations & win exciting rewards!
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A unique opportunity for architects & designers to help Indian Railways redesign & revamp Railway Stations! Participate in International Design Competition for Development of state-of-the-art Railway Stations & win exciting rewards!
Indian Railways mountain heritage services to get Narendra Modi government boost, go back to steam engines
Indian Railways is all set to bring back steam engines for its trains plying in routes such as Kalka-Shimla, Darjeeling-Siliguri and Matheran. Indian Railways is taking this decision with an aim to give a fillip to heritage conservation in mountain railways.
Indian Railways is all set to bring back steam engines for its trains plying in routes such as Kalka-Shimla, Darjeeling-Siliguri and Matheran. Indian Railways is taking this decision with an aim to give a fillip to heritage conservation in mountain railways. Currently, trains are run by diesel engines in these routes. Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani took the decision on Saturday. Lohani told the National Congress of Indian Steam Railway Society, an independent body of enthusiasts of steam locomotives and railway heritage patronized by, among others, retired and serving Railways officers.
The 130-year-old Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) was closed and is undergoing restoration following the Gorkhaland agitation earlier this year. It is popularly known as ‘Toy Train’. The 88-km journey from Siliguri to the Darjeeling hills passes through forests, tea gardens and numerous bridges and tunnels. The service, which earned UNESCO World Heritage tag in 1999, is a big attraction for tourists who flock to this eastern hill town from all over the world.
Another UNESCO World Heritage site is the 96-km Kalka-Shimla Railways line in Himachal Pradesh. It was built in 1889. This mountain service sees steady patronage by tourists during the busy season mostly on its flagship Shivalik Deluxe Express for tourists and some passenger trains for commuters. These trains are also currently hauled by diesel locomotives.
The 21-km Matheran Hill Railway in Maharashtra was opened in 1907. Like in Darjeeling, this one too is undergoing restoration following two derailments last year. Full service between Matheran and Neral will resume by early 2018. The steam service could be launched then, according to reports.
Earlier, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the Railways ministry with Switzerland which would help the two countries in developing tilting trains Tilting trains lean to one side on approaching a bend, just like a motorbike on a winding road. Such trains are operational in 11 countries namely Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Finland, Russia, the Czech Republic, the UK, Switzerland, China, Germany and Romania. The MoUs aim at cooperation in the areas of traction rolling stock, electric multiple units and train sets, traction propulsion equipment, freight and passenger cars, tilting trains, railway electrification equipment, tunnelling technology among other things.
Indian Railways mountain heritage services to get Narendra Modi government boost, go back to steam engines
Indian Railways is all set to bring back steam engines for its trains plying in routes such as Kalka-Shimla, Darjeeling-Siliguri and Matheran. Indian Railways is taking this decision with an aim to give a fillip to heritage conservation in mountain railways.
Indian Railways is all set to bring back steam engines for its trains plying in routes such as Kalka-Shimla, Darjeeling-Siliguri and Matheran. Indian Railways is taking this decision with an aim to give a fillip to heritage conservation in mountain railways. Currently, trains are run by diesel engines in these routes. Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani took the decision on Saturday. Lohani told the National Congress of Indian Steam Railway Society, an independent body of enthusiasts of steam locomotives and railway heritage patronized by, among others, retired and serving Railways officers.
The 130-year-old Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) was closed and is undergoing restoration following the Gorkhaland agitation earlier this year. It is popularly known as ‘Toy Train’. The 88-km journey from Siliguri to the Darjeeling hills passes through forests, tea gardens and numerous bridges and tunnels. The service, which earned UNESCO World Heritage tag in 1999, is a big attraction for tourists who flock to this eastern hill town from all over the world.
Another UNESCO World Heritage site is the 96-km Kalka-Shimla Railways line in Himachal Pradesh. It was built in 1889. This mountain service sees steady patronage by tourists during the busy season mostly on its flagship Shivalik Deluxe Express for tourists and some passenger trains for commuters. These trains are also currently hauled by diesel locomotives.
The 21-km Matheran Hill Railway in Maharashtra was opened in 1907. Like in Darjeeling, this one too is undergoing restoration following two derailments last year. Full service between Matheran and Neral will resume by early 2018. The steam service could be launched then, according to reports.
Earlier, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the Railways ministry with Switzerland which would help the two countries in developing tilting trains Tilting trains lean to one side on approaching a bend, just like a motorbike on a winding road. Such trains are operational in 11 countries namely Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Finland, Russia, the Czech Republic, the UK, Switzerland, China, Germany and Romania. The MoUs aim at cooperation in the areas of traction rolling stock, electric multiple units and train sets, traction propulsion equipment, freight and passenger cars, tilting trains, railway electrification equipment, tunnelling technology among other things.
Indian Railways mountain heritage services to get Narendra Modi government boost, go back to steam engines
Railways appoints IRSDC as nodal agency for station redevelopment plan
Indian Railways has decided to appoint its joint venture company Indian Railway Station Development Corp. Ltd (IRSDC) as the nodal agency for its ambitious station redevelopment programme, in an attempt to expedite the revamp of 400 A1 and A category railway stations.
Under the Rs1 trillion station redevelopment plan, Indian Railways plans to revamp 400 railway stations by monetizing 2,700 acres of spare railway land.
The Railway Board took the decision to appoint IRSDC, a joint-venture firm of Ircon International Ltd and Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA), following recommendations by a three-member expert committee, according to people in the railway ministry.
The committee, comprising the railway board secretary, advisor station redevelopment and executive director station re-development, submitted its report in November.
In the report, the committee suggested that IRSDC should be appointed the nodal one-stop point for smooth and faster implementation of station redevelopment as IRSDC’s model projects like Habibganj, Gandhinagar and Surat have shown remarkable results.
The committee also said in future, the mode of implementation of new railway station projects should be at the discretion of IRSDC, while existing projects should also be brought within its ambit for monitoring purposes.
It said the company had vast experience of station redevelopment planning, execution and monitoring, which is not available with other departments and officers of the railway ministry.
Confirming the move, a senior railway ministry official said on condition of anonymity, “Yes, the decision has been taken and it will be communicated to IRSDC soon. The modalities have been worked out and company will be given power to ensure all kinds of execution works.”
The railway ministry has used a number of models and arrangements for station redevelopment so far including those by IRSDC, by general managers of zonal railways in the public-private partnership (PPP) mode, in cooperation with Ministry of Urban Development (MOUD) in cities with SMART & AMRUT schemes, by Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) and National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC)— through RLDA and public sector units (PSUs) of the ministry of railways, through other ministries, in partnership with state governments, and also through interest shown by foreign governments and firms.
“The different models resulted in overlapping of work and decisions leading to chaos and tardy progress of the project. With one nodal agency, things will be more streamlined,” said another railway official, requesting anonymity. Queries emailed to the railway ministry last week remained unanswered.
IRSDC managing director S.K. Lohia said, “We haven’t received any communication yet.”
The plan to redevelop railway stations was mooted in 2009-10 by the then railway minister Mamata Banerjee and was taken forward by railway minister Piyush Goyal’s predecessor Suresh Prabhu.
According to consulting firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the total project cost for the revamp of 400 stations will be around Rs107,000 crore.
Of this, Rs28,000 crore will be for station redevelopment, Rs68,000 crore for commercial development and the remaining Rs11,000 crore would be surplus with the Railways following monetization of land.
Railways appoints IRSDC as nodal agency for station redevelopment plan
Indian Railways has decided to appoint its joint venture company Indian Railway Station Development Corp. Ltd (IRSDC) as the nodal agency for its ambitious station redevelopment programme, in an attempt to expedite the revamp of 400 A1 and A category railway stations.
Under the Rs1 trillion station redevelopment plan, Indian Railways plans to revamp 400 railway stations by monetizing 2,700 acres of spare railway land.
The Railway Board took the decision to appoint IRSDC, a joint-venture firm of Ircon International Ltd and Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA), following recommendations by a three-member expert committee, according to people in the railway ministry.
The committee, comprising the railway board secretary, advisor station redevelopment and executive director station re-development, submitted its report in November.
In the report, the committee suggested that IRSDC should be appointed the nodal one-stop point for smooth and faster implementation of station redevelopment as IRSDC’s model projects like Habibganj, Gandhinagar and Surat have shown remarkable results.
The committee also said in future, the mode of implementation of new railway station projects should be at the discretion of IRSDC, while existing projects should also be brought within its ambit for monitoring purposes.
It said the company had vast experience of station redevelopment planning, execution and monitoring, which is not available with other departments and officers of the railway ministry.
Confirming the move, a senior railway ministry official said on condition of anonymity, “Yes, the decision has been taken and it will be communicated to IRSDC soon. The modalities have been worked out and company will be given power to ensure all kinds of execution works.”
The railway ministry has used a number of models and arrangements for station redevelopment so far including those by IRSDC, by general managers of zonal railways in the public-private partnership (PPP) mode, in cooperation with Ministry of Urban Development (MOUD) in cities with SMART & AMRUT schemes, by Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) and National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC)— through RLDA and public sector units (PSUs) of the ministry of railways, through other ministries, in partnership with state governments, and also through interest shown by foreign governments and firms.
“The different models resulted in overlapping of work and decisions leading to chaos and tardy progress of the project. With one nodal agency, things will be more streamlined,” said another railway official, requesting anonymity. Queries emailed to the railway ministry last week remained unanswered.
IRSDC managing director S.K. Lohia said, “We haven’t received any communication yet.”
The plan to redevelop railway stations was mooted in 2009-10 by the then railway minister Mamata Banerjee and was taken forward by railway minister Piyush Goyal’s predecessor Suresh Prabhu.
According to consulting firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the total project cost for the revamp of 400 stations will be around Rs107,000 crore.
Of this, Rs28,000 crore will be for station redevelopment, Rs68,000 crore for commercial development and the remaining Rs11,000 crore would be surplus with the Railways following monetization of land.
Railways appoints IRSDC as nodal agency for station redevelopment plan
Indian Railways turning out to be a big opportunity for engineering companies
The government is estimated to invest close to Rs 1 lakh crore for the redevelopment of the stations. The Ministry of Railways is aiming to redevelop 10 railway stations on a pilot basis for Rs 5000 crore.
Safety (Rs 1.27 trillion), station redevelopment (Rs 1 trillion) and high-speed elevated corridor (Rs 0.65 trillion) are other major areas proposed for the investment.
Network effect
In terms of segment, the global consultancy firm indicated that the largest proportion of the investment will be in network expansion (Rs 1.93 trillion) and network decongestion (Rs 2 trillion) over the next five years.
This is good news for companies in the EPC space as this will be a huge opportunity for companies like KEC International and Kalpataru Power, who are the leading players in this space. KEC International has about 25 percent market share in railway electrification. During the first half of FY18, the company received orders worth Rs 140 crore. However, the company is expecting order flows to improve as it has already submitted bids of close to Rs 7000 crore and expects to get orders of worth Rs 2000 crore in FY18. KEC is one of the early entrants in this space with close to about 5 decades experience. With the traction in ordering improving, it will boost revenue.
Similarly, Kalpataru Power, which is sitting on an order book of close to Rs 9,600 crore or almost 2 times its FY17 sales, it has got a strong pipeline of orders in railways.
Considering their capabilities and the expertise Kalpataru Power and KEC will also benefit as a result of electrification of railway lines.
The government intends to initiate electrification of 7000 km of rail lines and tendering is expected to be completed by end of March 2018. The long-term plant is to electrify close to 25000 km of railway lines with the estimated cost of Rs 35000 crore. Currently, of the total rail network of 66000 km only 30000 km of the railway lines are electrified. One other company whose products fits in this category is Siemens, which has already bagged a few projects relating to railway signalling and supply of the other components of the railway network systems.
Moreover, the government is coming out with the larger projects, which will benefit the listed companies as many of them stayed away from bidding given the small size of projects. Companies like L&T is looking at this segment as an opportunity. L&T was recently awarded Rs 1050 crore railway electrification project of 781 km rail tracks.
L&T is looking for the bigger pie of the opportunity considering its capabilities. It is also working for the metro rail, station development and a few other areas in the overall pie.
Redevelopment of stations
The government is estimated to invest close to Rs 1 lakh crore for the redevelopment of the stations. The Ministry of Railways is aiming to redevelop 10 railway stations on a pilot basis similar to an airport having amenities for a total cost of Rs 5000 crore. These projects will be self-funded with the monetisation of the land parcel. Companies like L&T and NBCC will be the key beneficiaries.
NBCC will manage these projects and start awarding by end of 2017. Moreover, railways has identified close to 400 such stations which could come up for redevelopment thereafter.
Indian Railways turning out to be a big opportunity for engineering companies
The government is estimated to invest close to Rs 1 lakh crore for the redevelopment of the stations. The Ministry of Railways is aiming to redevelop 10 railway stations on a pilot basis for Rs 5000 crore.
- India’s capex cycle may be far from any immediate recovery. Interestingly, selected pockets like power T&D and railways have been keeping India’s engineering companies busy. Railways has started to become far more attractive and a bigger opportunity as projects have started to flow in. In its recent report prepared by the global consultancy firm McKinsey, the firm estimates Indian Railways to invest around Rs 8.5 trillion over the next five years, which is about four times the investment in the last five years.
Safety (Rs 1.27 trillion), station redevelopment (Rs 1 trillion) and high-speed elevated corridor (Rs 0.65 trillion) are other major areas proposed for the investment.
Network effect
In terms of segment, the global consultancy firm indicated that the largest proportion of the investment will be in network expansion (Rs 1.93 trillion) and network decongestion (Rs 2 trillion) over the next five years.
This is good news for companies in the EPC space as this will be a huge opportunity for companies like KEC International and Kalpataru Power, who are the leading players in this space. KEC International has about 25 percent market share in railway electrification. During the first half of FY18, the company received orders worth Rs 140 crore. However, the company is expecting order flows to improve as it has already submitted bids of close to Rs 7000 crore and expects to get orders of worth Rs 2000 crore in FY18. KEC is one of the early entrants in this space with close to about 5 decades experience. With the traction in ordering improving, it will boost revenue.
Similarly, Kalpataru Power, which is sitting on an order book of close to Rs 9,600 crore or almost 2 times its FY17 sales, it has got a strong pipeline of orders in railways.
Considering their capabilities and the expertise Kalpataru Power and KEC will also benefit as a result of electrification of railway lines.
The government intends to initiate electrification of 7000 km of rail lines and tendering is expected to be completed by end of March 2018. The long-term plant is to electrify close to 25000 km of railway lines with the estimated cost of Rs 35000 crore. Currently, of the total rail network of 66000 km only 30000 km of the railway lines are electrified. One other company whose products fits in this category is Siemens, which has already bagged a few projects relating to railway signalling and supply of the other components of the railway network systems.
Moreover, the government is coming out with the larger projects, which will benefit the listed companies as many of them stayed away from bidding given the small size of projects. Companies like L&T is looking at this segment as an opportunity. L&T was recently awarded Rs 1050 crore railway electrification project of 781 km rail tracks.
L&T is looking for the bigger pie of the opportunity considering its capabilities. It is also working for the metro rail, station development and a few other areas in the overall pie.
Redevelopment of stations
The government is estimated to invest close to Rs 1 lakh crore for the redevelopment of the stations. The Ministry of Railways is aiming to redevelop 10 railway stations on a pilot basis similar to an airport having amenities for a total cost of Rs 5000 crore. These projects will be self-funded with the monetisation of the land parcel. Companies like L&T and NBCC will be the key beneficiaries.
NBCC will manage these projects and start awarding by end of 2017. Moreover, railways has identified close to 400 such stations which could come up for redevelopment thereafter.
Indian Railways turning out to be a big opportunity for engineering companies
Indian Railways to interconnect Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata with high-speed train network
Reports have mentioned that it is estimated that a budget of Rs 36,000 crore will be required for this project.
Thursday, November 30, 2017
In a rather ambitious project, the Indian Railways is going to interconnect the four major metros of the country. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai will be connected with each other by a network of high-speed trains that run at 160 kmph, as against the current 88-90 kmph. Authorities are looking at August 22, India's 75th Independence Day to commence operations. The project called Golden Quadrilateral will essentially be a network of 10,000 km of semi-high speed routes. Indian Railways is already drawing up a blueprint for the mammoth project connecting Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Howrah, Delhi-Chennai, Chennai-Howrah, Chennai-Mumbai and Howrah-Mumbai. "We are still finalising the blueprint and efforts are on to officially launch the project by August 2022 to coincide with the celebrations around India's 75th year of Independence. However, everything depends on how we manage to meet every deadline set for the project", a railway official said, according to multiple reports.
The project has been assessed by NITI Aayog and is awaiting Cabinet sanction, which is also in process. According to agency reports, the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes were already included in the 2017-2018 Budget. These routes were estimated to cost Rs 11,189 crore and Rs 6,875 crore respectively. The cost estimates of the rest of the routes are likely to be included in the 2018-2019 Budget.
Reports have mentioned that it is estimated that a budget of Rs 36,000 crore will be required for this project.
According to agency reports, the board is likely to finalise a detailed cost estimate for the remaining routes by December 31 this year.
Indian Railways to interconnect Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata with high-speed train network
Reports have mentioned that it is estimated that a budget of Rs 36,000 crore will be required for this project.
Thursday, November 30, 2017
In a rather ambitious project, the Indian Railways is going to interconnect the four major metros of the country. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai will be connected with each other by a network of high-speed trains that run at 160 kmph, as against the current 88-90 kmph. Authorities are looking at August 22, India's 75th Independence Day to commence operations. The project called Golden Quadrilateral will essentially be a network of 10,000 km of semi-high speed routes. Indian Railways is already drawing up a blueprint for the mammoth project connecting Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Howrah, Delhi-Chennai, Chennai-Howrah, Chennai-Mumbai and Howrah-Mumbai. "We are still finalising the blueprint and efforts are on to officially launch the project by August 2022 to coincide with the celebrations around India's 75th year of Independence. However, everything depends on how we manage to meet every deadline set for the project", a railway official said, according to multiple reports.
The project has been assessed by NITI Aayog and is awaiting Cabinet sanction, which is also in process. According to agency reports, the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes were already included in the 2017-2018 Budget. These routes were estimated to cost Rs 11,189 crore and Rs 6,875 crore respectively. The cost estimates of the rest of the routes are likely to be included in the 2018-2019 Budget.
Reports have mentioned that it is estimated that a budget of Rs 36,000 crore will be required for this project.
According to agency reports, the board is likely to finalise a detailed cost estimate for the remaining routes by December 31 this year.
Indian Railways to interconnect Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata with high-speed train network
Indian Railways to roll out ‘Make in India’ 160 kmph self-propelled ‘world-class’ train set
By: Smriti Jain February 20, 2017 7:55 PM
Indian Railways is all set to roll out a ‘first of its kind’ semi-high speed self-propelled train set! Yes, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) will ‘Make in India’ the EMUs (Electric Multiple Units) that can travel at speeds of up to 160 kmph. According to ICF, the train sets will allow for quicker acceleration and will be a technological leap for the coach factory. The train sets are currently in the design stage and will start getting manufacturing some time in 2018. For this reason, Indian Railways has codenamed the project as ‘Train-2018’. What makes these train sets special, apart from the fact that they mark a leap for ICF, is that they will be manufactured at “half the cost” if the same were to be imported!
The new train will have 16 fully air-conditioned coaches, and will boast of ‘world-class’ passenger amenities. Proposed for inter-city superfast travel, the train sets will replace locomotive-hauled intercity express trains. The train sets will have ‘Automatic Plug-Type’ doors which will open and close automatically at the stations. Like most chair cars, the train will have wide windows.
Keeping in mind passenger entertainment, Indian Railways proposes to equip the new train sets with onboard Wi-fi and infotainment. The train will also boast of GPS-based Passenger Information System to keep passengers informed about the location of the train. “The new train will have world-class facilities for passengers. The train will have plush interiors and diffused LED lighting. The toilets of these coaches will be fitted with zero discharge vaccum based bio-toilets and touch free fittings,” an ICF official told FE Online.
“The train set will be equipped with under slung 3 Phase IGBT based propulsion system which is energy efficient. Train 2018 will also offer more passenger space,” the ICF official said. All coaches of Train-18 will be inter-connected by fully sealed gangways. This will allow passengers to move from one coach to another with ease.
Additionally, ICF is looking to equip the train sets with improved mechanical couplers and modern bogies. “This will help keep the jerks and vibrations at bay,” the official said. “The train will have fully suspended traction motors, pneumatic secondary suspension and anti-roll bar. The brake system will be Electro Pneumatic, which will reduce the braking distance, so that full speed potential of the train can be harnessed,” the official said, adding that Train-2018 will have “many modern features which will debut for the first time on Indian Railways”.
The idea to develop these modern train sets was an outcome of the “Rail Vikas Shivir” that was organised by Indian Railways late last year. This also fits in with Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu’s ‘Mission Raftaar’ that was announced in Rail Budget 2016. Under Mission Raftaar, Indian Railways proposes to double the average speeds of freights trains and increase the average speed of superfast mail/express trains by 25 kmph in the next 5 years.
By: Smriti Jain February 20, 2017 7:55 PM
Indian Railways is all set to roll out a ‘first of its kind’ semi-high speed self-propelled train set! Yes, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) will ‘Make in India’ the EMUs (Electric Multiple Units) that can travel at speeds of up to 160 kmph. According to ICF, the train sets will allow for quicker acceleration and will be a technological leap for the coach factory. The train sets are currently in the design stage and will start getting manufacturing some time in 2018. For this reason, Indian Railways has codenamed the project as ‘Train-2018’. What makes these train sets special, apart from the fact that they mark a leap for ICF, is that they will be manufactured at “half the cost” if the same were to be imported!
The new train will have 16 fully air-conditioned coaches, and will boast of ‘world-class’ passenger amenities. Proposed for inter-city superfast travel, the train sets will replace locomotive-hauled intercity express trains. The train sets will have ‘Automatic Plug-Type’ doors which will open and close automatically at the stations. Like most chair cars, the train will have wide windows.
Keeping in mind passenger entertainment, Indian Railways proposes to equip the new train sets with onboard Wi-fi and infotainment. The train will also boast of GPS-based Passenger Information System to keep passengers informed about the location of the train. “The new train will have world-class facilities for passengers. The train will have plush interiors and diffused LED lighting. The toilets of these coaches will be fitted with zero discharge vaccum based bio-toilets and touch free fittings,” an ICF official told FE Online.
“The train set will be equipped with under slung 3 Phase IGBT based propulsion system which is energy efficient. Train 2018 will also offer more passenger space,” the ICF official said. All coaches of Train-18 will be inter-connected by fully sealed gangways. This will allow passengers to move from one coach to another with ease.
Additionally, ICF is looking to equip the train sets with improved mechanical couplers and modern bogies. “This will help keep the jerks and vibrations at bay,” the official said. “The train will have fully suspended traction motors, pneumatic secondary suspension and anti-roll bar. The brake system will be Electro Pneumatic, which will reduce the braking distance, so that full speed potential of the train can be harnessed,” the official said, adding that Train-2018 will have “many modern features which will debut for the first time on Indian Railways”.
The idea to develop these modern train sets was an outcome of the “Rail Vikas Shivir” that was organised by Indian Railways late last year. This also fits in with Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu’s ‘Mission Raftaar’ that was announced in Rail Budget 2016. Under Mission Raftaar, Indian Railways proposes to double the average speeds of freights trains and increase the average speed of superfast mail/express trains by 25 kmph in the next 5 years.
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Watch how DFC restored rail traffic within 4.5 hours after putting RUB box to eliminate level crossing between Bhagega-Sri Madhopur of Western Corridor
Some pics of ICF Train-18 scale model at IREE 2017.
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Finance ministry okays LIC’s Rs 1.5 lakh crore funding of Indian Railways
By Shilpy Sinha, ET Bureau | Updated: Nov 26, 2017, 11.56 PM IST
MUMBAI: Life Insurance Corporation of India can now go ahead with its proposed Rs 1.5 lakh crore funding of the Indian Railways, with a finance ministry clarification effectively nullifying the sector regulator's concerns and demand for sovereign guarantee for the investment.
The state-run insurer had signed a memorandum of understanding two years ago to invest in the railways through bonds issued by the Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC). But since this would take LIC's exposure to more than 25% of IRFC's net worth — it has to keep the investment within that limit in any company involved in infrastructure, debt and equity included —the insurance regulator demanded explicit government guarantee for the bonds and a gazette notification classifying these as special securities, like oil bonds.
By Shilpy Sinha, ET Bureau | Updated: Nov 26, 2017, 11.56 PM IST
MUMBAI: Life Insurance Corporation of India can now go ahead with its proposed Rs 1.5 lakh crore funding of the Indian Railways, with a finance ministry clarification effectively nullifying the sector regulator's concerns and demand for sovereign guarantee for the investment.
The state-run insurer had signed a memorandum of understanding two years ago to invest in the railways through bonds issued by the Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC). But since this would take LIC's exposure to more than 25% of IRFC's net worth — it has to keep the investment within that limit in any company involved in infrastructure, debt and equity included —the insurance regulator demanded explicit government guarantee for the bonds and a gazette notification classifying these as special securities, like oil bonds.
Railways plans elevated corridors for suburban rail in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru
Mahendra Singh | TNN | Oct 24, 2017, 03:41 IST
TNNRepr
NEW DELHI: An ambitious plan for elevated corridors over existing rail tracks in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru that will improve safety and decongest networks is being considered by the railways in partnership with state governments and central agencies.
Preliminary estimates have pegged the cost of an elevated corridor in Mumbai at around Rs 25,000 crore and the state-run transporter hopes to complete the project in the next 3-5 years. The elevated track will come up over the existing Mumbai suburban rail system and be spread over nearly 425km in length, excluding the single-line Metro and a short monorail system.
"For Mumbai, DFCC (Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation) has already given a preliminary report, now we will put formal teams in place. For Bengaluru, I have told the railways... they are looking into this," railway minister Piyush Goyaltold TOI in an interview, adding a study has been commissioned for Delhi as well.
"For Mumbai, DFCC (Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation) has already given a preliminary report, now we will put formal teams in place. For Bengaluru, I have told the railways... they are looking into this," railway minister Piyush Goyaltold TOI in an interview, adding a study has been commissioned for Delhi as well.
Asked whether the railways will partner with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for the Delhi project, Goyal said, "All options are open. It is a preliminary stage. Let the studies and costing come."
Goyal said elevated tracks equipped with elevators and escalators will make suburban rail travel safe as trespassing will not happen and the system will help differently-abled passengers. The construction of elevated corridors also includes developing shopping malls and commercial spaces.
Mahendra Singh | TNN | Oct 24, 2017, 03:41 IST
- The elevated track in Mumbai will come up over the existing suburban rail system.
- Delhi’s 35km ring railway will be revived by constructing elevated tracks as well as modernizing and redeveloping stations.
- The ring rly comprising 21 stations will help decongest Delhi and also reduce air pollution.
NEW DELHI: An ambitious plan for elevated corridors over existing rail tracks in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru that will improve safety and decongest networks is being considered by the railways in partnership with state governments and central agencies.
Preliminary estimates have pegged the cost of an elevated corridor in Mumbai at around Rs 25,000 crore and the state-run transporter hopes to complete the project in the next 3-5 years. The elevated track will come up over the existing Mumbai suburban rail system and be spread over nearly 425km in length, excluding the single-line Metro and a short monorail system.
"For Mumbai, DFCC (Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation) has already given a preliminary report, now we will put formal teams in place. For Bengaluru, I have told the railways... they are looking into this," railway minister Piyush Goyaltold TOI in an interview, adding a study has been commissioned for Delhi as well.
"For Mumbai, DFCC (Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation) has already given a preliminary report, now we will put formal teams in place. For Bengaluru, I have told the railways... they are looking into this," railway minister Piyush Goyaltold TOI in an interview, adding a study has been commissioned for Delhi as well.
Asked whether the railways will partner with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for the Delhi project, Goyal said, "All options are open. It is a preliminary stage. Let the studies and costing come."
Goyal said elevated tracks equipped with elevators and escalators will make suburban rail travel safe as trespassing will not happen and the system will help differently-abled passengers. The construction of elevated corridors also includes developing shopping malls and commercial spaces.
Anubhuti coaches with aircraft-like features to replace Shatabdi 1st-AC Executive chair cars; 20 amazing facts
01/ 21
Anubhuti luxury coaches are all set to replace AC-1st class Executive Chair car coaches in some Shatabdi Express trains. As many as 10 Anubhuti coaches have been manufactured with idea of giving passengers an aircraft-like experience during their train journeys. From LCD entertainment screens that allow you to play movies, to cushioned leg rests and reading lights - Anubhuti coaches are a definite upgrade from the existing Executive chair cars. Adding to the good news is the fact that all these features are unlikely to translate into a fare hike for passengers. Financial Express Online brings you an exclusive preview of the Anubhuti coaches..check out the amazing features and images:
02/ 21
The exterior of the coach has been given an artistic touch, while maintaining the overall blue scheme of the Shatabdi trains. Like all new trains of Indian Railways, this one too has an anti-graffiti vinyl wrapping.
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The 56-seat coach has seats in the 2+2 configuration. LED lights have been fitted to save energy and also provide better lighting.
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The upgraded executive-class coach has cushioned seats with an airline-like leg-rest to make your train travel more comfortable. The seat can also be reclined.
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Yet another aircraft-like facility includes the provision of LCD entertainment screens with every seat. Passengers can play music and movies while enjoying the experience with a personalised headphone that will be provided by Indian Railways. This is similar to the feature that was introduced with the Mumbai-Goa Tejas Express train.
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The seats in the middle too have been provided with LCD entertainment screens for all eight passengers (4 on each side). These screens can be made to slide back into the table by the simple action of a push in the downward direction.
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An added advantage for the passengers is the provision of USB and mobile charging points in the space that joins two seats.
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The favourite snack table that is usually attached to the back of the seat has now found its way in a compact compartment under the arm rest of the seat. Passengers are required to just pull it out and pack it back again after eating.
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Just like an aircraft, this coach too comes with a personalised reading light which will not disturb the fellow passenger.
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There is also an attendant calling facility above the seat. The 'bell' button will make sure that your queries are answered without moving from your seat.
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The luggage racks are spacious and the area above them has been coated with anti-graffiti vinyl wrapping. This will ensure that the walls remain free of scratches.
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In the middle of the coach there are passenger information display boards on both sides. These will display useful information such as the approaching station, distance, speed etc.
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There are mobile charging points next to each seat area in addition to those provided between the seats.
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The seat stickers have been braille-integrated to make them user friendly for the visually impaired.
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Anubhuti coaches get a modular toilet with improved features such as touch-free tap and soap dispenser, hand dryer. This is meant to ensure less wastage of water and also allows for better hygiene. The bio-toilet is in line with Indian Railways' aim to make tracks defecation free.
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There are toilet occupancy indicators at each end of the coach that light up if the washroom is occupied.
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There is also an announcement system at the end of the coach, similar to that in an aircraft.
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The mini-pantry remains the same with the only addition being that of a soap boiler, which means an added drink on the menu for passengers.
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The doorway area has also been upgraded with anti-graffiti vinyl wrapping, ensuring better cleanliness.
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The standard display plate on the exterior has been replaced with an LED display panel that is meant to not only flash the train name and number, but also the destination.
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The coaches have been manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai. The average cost of manufacturing each coach is Rs 2.84 crore. Indian Railways hopes to start plying these coaches by December-end or January 2018 beginning, but the routes have not yet been decided. At a time when Indian Railways faces growing competition from the aviation sector, the focus on aircraft-like experience is a step in the right direction, but other factors such as punctuality and safety would play an equally crucial role in luring passengers.
Anubhuti coaches with aircraft-like features to replace Shatabdi 1st-AC Executive chair cars; 20 amazing facts
India, Spain to cooperate on Rapid Rail project
NEW DELHI: India will get technical cooperation from Spain to design and execute Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS)—a first-of-its-kind project in the country with a designated speed of 180 kmph.
The Ministry of Urban Affairs has signed a technical cooperation agreement with Spanish firm Administrator de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias, a state-owned railway infrastructure company with experience in planning, developing, constructing, operating and maintaining high-speed railway and regional rail systems like Cercanias’ in Madrid.
Union Minister Hardeep Puri said the agreement will enable availability of technical advice on specific issues, besides providing training and collaboration in technical side of areas such as track structure, signalling system, rolling stock, safety, multi-modal integration and station design.
D S Mishra, Secretary, Urban Affairs, said the agreement will provide institutional mechanism for mutual cooperation in urban transport, especially, in implementation of the RRTS project.
Officials said that Société nationale des chemins de fer français (SNCF), the state-owned railway company of France, has also expressed willingness to support the RRTS project. The possibility of a similar agreement between the SNCF and National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC, a joint sector company of Government of India and states of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh) was explored during the visit of an SNCF delegation earlier this week. NCRTC is mandated to design, construct, operate and maintain rail-based RRTS in the National Capital Region.
Three RRTS corridors including Delhi-Meerut Smart Line, Delhi-Panipat Smart Line and Delhi-Alwar Smart Line have been prioritised for implementation in the first phase.
Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor will be the first corridor to be implemented, for which pre-construction activities including geo-technical investigations, detailed design, utility-shifting planning and traffic diversion planning are in progress.
India, Spain to cooperate on Rapid Rail project
NEW DELHI: India will get technical cooperation from Spain to design and execute Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS)—a first-of-its-kind project in the country with a designated speed of 180 kmph.
The Ministry of Urban Affairs has signed a technical cooperation agreement with Spanish firm Administrator de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias, a state-owned railway infrastructure company with experience in planning, developing, constructing, operating and maintaining high-speed railway and regional rail systems like Cercanias’ in Madrid.
Union Minister Hardeep Puri said the agreement will enable availability of technical advice on specific issues, besides providing training and collaboration in technical side of areas such as track structure, signalling system, rolling stock, safety, multi-modal integration and station design.
D S Mishra, Secretary, Urban Affairs, said the agreement will provide institutional mechanism for mutual cooperation in urban transport, especially, in implementation of the RRTS project.
Officials said that Société nationale des chemins de fer français (SNCF), the state-owned railway company of France, has also expressed willingness to support the RRTS project. The possibility of a similar agreement between the SNCF and National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC, a joint sector company of Government of India and states of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh) was explored during the visit of an SNCF delegation earlier this week. NCRTC is mandated to design, construct, operate and maintain rail-based RRTS in the National Capital Region.
Three RRTS corridors including Delhi-Meerut Smart Line, Delhi-Panipat Smart Line and Delhi-Alwar Smart Line have been prioritised for implementation in the first phase.
Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor will be the first corridor to be implemented, for which pre-construction activities including geo-technical investigations, detailed design, utility-shifting planning and traffic diversion planning are in progress.
India, Spain to cooperate on Rapid Rail project
Piyush Goyal carrying his legacy in Railways too. Further this means that the contract with GE for 1000 locomotives is surely going under some problems. It may be curtailed to just a couple of hundred or less.
RDSO invites what is called as Expression of Interest (EOI) from private players, like what is being done for the upgradation of WAG9 & WAP7. BHEL,Siemens,Medha & CGL showed interest.The 9000 HP WAG9 & WAP7 are expected to be rolled out early next year as per CLW.