Indian Railways Junction
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23 companies attend Railways' meet for running private trains
A total of 23 companies, including some PSUs, have shown interest in operating private trains in the country as they participated in the second pre-application conference for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in passenger trains project organised by the Ministry of Railways on Wednesday.
The participants included Alstom Transport India Limited (Ltd), BEML, Bharat Forge, BHEL, Bombardier Transportation India, CAF India Private Ltd, Gateway Rail, GMR Infrastructure Ltd, Hind Rectifiers Limited, I-Board India Pvt Ltd, IRCTC Limited, ISQ Asia Infrastructure Investments Private Ltd, Jasan Infra Private Ltd, JKB Infrastructure Private Ltd, L&T Infrastructure Development Projects Ltd, Medha, Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd, National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Limited, PSGG Technologies Pvt Ltd, RK Associates & Hoteliers Private Ltd, Siemens Limited, Sterlite Power and Titagarh Wagons Limited.
In the meeting, which was held virtually, Railway Board Members along with NITI Ayog officials answered the queries raised by the private players during the pre-bid meeting.
"The Project for Private Participation in Passenger Train Operations will bring in a paradigm shift in passenger experience by significantly enhancing the quality of service while reducing transit time and supply-demand deficit through the introduction of modern technology rolling stock. The project will augment the availability of transportation services for the public," the Ministry of Railways (MoR) said in a press note.
The Indian Railways said that the private partners for undertaking the project will be selected through a two-stage competitive bidding process comprising of Request for Qualification (RFQ) and Request for Proposal (RFP). The first pre-application conference was held on July 21, 2020.
"Post first pre-application conference, Ministry of Railways has reduced the RFQ fee by one-tenth for participating in more than one project, removed the restriction of up to 3 projects per bidder and clarified that leasing of trains is allowed. MoR has also shared traffic data, draft concession agreement, draft feasibility report and draft manual for standards and specifications of trains etc," the note further read.
The applicants raised queries on a number of issues including flexibility in Clusters, eligibility criteria, bidding Process, procurement of trains, fares, Operations & Maintenance.
Responding to the same, the MoR emphasised that complete freedom will be given to private partners in terms of procurement of trains - can either be purchased or taken on lease. The MoR also clarified that risks with regard to the operation of trains shall be allocated to the parties best suited to manage them. It informed that the private entity shall have the freedom to decide on the fare to be charged from its passengers.
Applicant queries with regard to the definition of gross revenue were also addressed. Regarding haulage charges, the MoR informed the indicative haulage charges at Rs 512.31 per train km for 2019-20 with indexation.
The responses to the second pre-application conference will be uploaded by August 21. The due date for the opening of RFQ is September 8.
www.dnaindia.com
A total of 23 companies, including some PSUs, have shown interest in operating private trains in the country as they participated in the second pre-application conference for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in passenger trains project organised by the Ministry of Railways on Wednesday.
The participants included Alstom Transport India Limited (Ltd), BEML, Bharat Forge, BHEL, Bombardier Transportation India, CAF India Private Ltd, Gateway Rail, GMR Infrastructure Ltd, Hind Rectifiers Limited, I-Board India Pvt Ltd, IRCTC Limited, ISQ Asia Infrastructure Investments Private Ltd, Jasan Infra Private Ltd, JKB Infrastructure Private Ltd, L&T Infrastructure Development Projects Ltd, Medha, Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd, National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Limited, PSGG Technologies Pvt Ltd, RK Associates & Hoteliers Private Ltd, Siemens Limited, Sterlite Power and Titagarh Wagons Limited.
In the meeting, which was held virtually, Railway Board Members along with NITI Ayog officials answered the queries raised by the private players during the pre-bid meeting.
"The Project for Private Participation in Passenger Train Operations will bring in a paradigm shift in passenger experience by significantly enhancing the quality of service while reducing transit time and supply-demand deficit through the introduction of modern technology rolling stock. The project will augment the availability of transportation services for the public," the Ministry of Railways (MoR) said in a press note.
The Indian Railways said that the private partners for undertaking the project will be selected through a two-stage competitive bidding process comprising of Request for Qualification (RFQ) and Request for Proposal (RFP). The first pre-application conference was held on July 21, 2020.
"Post first pre-application conference, Ministry of Railways has reduced the RFQ fee by one-tenth for participating in more than one project, removed the restriction of up to 3 projects per bidder and clarified that leasing of trains is allowed. MoR has also shared traffic data, draft concession agreement, draft feasibility report and draft manual for standards and specifications of trains etc," the note further read.
The applicants raised queries on a number of issues including flexibility in Clusters, eligibility criteria, bidding Process, procurement of trains, fares, Operations & Maintenance.
Responding to the same, the MoR emphasised that complete freedom will be given to private partners in terms of procurement of trains - can either be purchased or taken on lease. The MoR also clarified that risks with regard to the operation of trains shall be allocated to the parties best suited to manage them. It informed that the private entity shall have the freedom to decide on the fare to be charged from its passengers.
Applicant queries with regard to the definition of gross revenue were also addressed. Regarding haulage charges, the MoR informed the indicative haulage charges at Rs 512.31 per train km for 2019-20 with indexation.
The responses to the second pre-application conference will be uploaded by August 21. The due date for the opening of RFQ is September 8.
23 companies attend Railways' meet for running private trains
The Indian Railways said that the private partners for undertaking the project will be selected through a two-stage competitive bidding process.
Central Railway to run 162 special trains to Konkan for Ganpati: Complete schedule here
The trains will run between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus/ Lokmanya Tilak Terminus and Sawantwadi Road / Kudal/ Ratnagiri to clear the extra rush of passengers during Ganpati Festival 2020.
Indian Railways Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal line project in North-East to have world’s tallest pier bridge
World’s tallest pier bridge is coming up in North East! The Northeast Frontier Railway Construction Organisation is constructing the tallest pier bridge in the world, near Noney in the North-Eastern state of Manipur. According to details shared by the Northeast Frontier Railway zone, the bridge is a part of Indian Railways’ Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal new broad gauge rail line project. The rail line is 111 kilometres long. Due to its importance as a National Project, the project picked up momentum in the last four years.The rail line project involves construction of a total 45 tunnels. Tunnel Number 12 with a length of 10.280 kilometres, will be the longest tunnel in the Northeast, the Northeast Frontier Railway zone stated.
The tallest pier bridge is being developed across the valley of river Ijai near Noney with a pier height of 141 metres. Once developed, the bridge will surpass the existing record of Mala – Rijeka viaduct, Montenegro in Europe, which is of 139 metres. According to Northeast Frontier Railways, the length of the bridge will be 703 metres in total. The bridge’s piers are constructed using hydraulic augers.
To ensure efficient and continual construction, the tall piers needed specially designed “slip-form technique”, NFR stated. At each pier, “self-erecting” electric lifts cater to speedy and safe conveyance of workers as well as materials to the top. The NFR added, the steel girders are pre-fabricated in a workshop. Then, they are transported in segments and are erected at the site by Cantilever launching scheme.
Meanwhile, Piyush Goyal-led Indian Railways is all set to link all North-Eastern states with the rail network. Earlier, it was planned by the Modi government to provide Indian Railways connectivity to all North-Eastern states by 2020, except Sikkim. Considering this, all North-Eastern states except Sikkim, have been brought into the country’s rail map. However, with the sanction of new railway line work from Sivok in West Bengal up to Rangpo, Indian Railways is now all set to provide connectivity to the state of Sikkim as well, by December 2022.
www.financialexpress.com
Indian Railways says around 30,000 died due to ‘trespassing, untoward incidents' in 3 years
New Delhi: A day after NITI Aayog questioned the Railways zero fatality claims in the last financial year, the national transporter on Thursday (August 20) responded that no deaths happened on its network due to accidents. However, it said that around 29,000 to 30,000 people lost their lives due to "unfortunate" casualties were recorded due to "trespassing" and untoward incidents like falling from trains.
Addressing a virtual press conference, Railway Board Chairman VK Yadav said, "Railways does keep a record of all the deaths that have occurred on its premises, but under three separate heads -- consequential accidents, trespassing, and untoward incidents."
The reactions came soon after the government’s policy think tank NITI Aayog raised concerns over the national transporter’s claim of zero deaths around railway tracks this fiscal. In a letter to Yadav, NITI Aayog Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Amitabh Kant had said that over 2,000 people lose their lives in the Mumbai suburban network every year and such deaths should also be part of the total deaths records on account of trespassing.
"It is true that consequential accidents were indeed zero in 2019-2020 and so far this year as well. We keep records of deaths due to trespassing like when people come on the tracks and are run over or people standing on the footboard of trains or hanging out of trains. In the last three years, around 29,000 to 30,000 people have lost their lives due to either trespassing or untoward incidents," Yadav said.
"This data will be given to NITI Aayog," he added.
He said these are the incidents over which Railways have little or no control. "Efforts are on to sensitise the public on avoiding such situations," he said.
In fact, after the 2018 tragedy in Amritsar wherein 59 people were killed and over 100 injured after being run over by two passenger trains while they were watching Dussehra celebrations, the Railways said that it was a case of trespassing.
Yadav also said that efforts are on to ensure that deaths due to such incidents too reduce, and "over the years they have".
After Yadav's briefing, the Railways issued a statement saying that while more than 8 billion passengers travelled by trains last year, there were zero passenger fatalities due to accidents.
"This has been achieved with a lot of efforts on the part of the Railways. While the deaths of passengers due to railway accidents has become Zero, unfortunate Casualties do occur due to trespassing and untoward incidents like falling from trains and that due to negligence or carelessness on the part of passengers/public."
www.timesnownews.com
World’s tallest pier bridge is coming up in North East! The Northeast Frontier Railway Construction Organisation is constructing the tallest pier bridge in the world, near Noney in the North-Eastern state of Manipur. According to details shared by the Northeast Frontier Railway zone, the bridge is a part of Indian Railways’ Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal new broad gauge rail line project. The rail line is 111 kilometres long. Due to its importance as a National Project, the project picked up momentum in the last four years.The rail line project involves construction of a total 45 tunnels. Tunnel Number 12 with a length of 10.280 kilometres, will be the longest tunnel in the Northeast, the Northeast Frontier Railway zone stated.
The tallest pier bridge is being developed across the valley of river Ijai near Noney with a pier height of 141 metres. Once developed, the bridge will surpass the existing record of Mala – Rijeka viaduct, Montenegro in Europe, which is of 139 metres. According to Northeast Frontier Railways, the length of the bridge will be 703 metres in total. The bridge’s piers are constructed using hydraulic augers.
To ensure efficient and continual construction, the tall piers needed specially designed “slip-form technique”, NFR stated. At each pier, “self-erecting” electric lifts cater to speedy and safe conveyance of workers as well as materials to the top. The NFR added, the steel girders are pre-fabricated in a workshop. Then, they are transported in segments and are erected at the site by Cantilever launching scheme.
Meanwhile, Piyush Goyal-led Indian Railways is all set to link all North-Eastern states with the rail network. Earlier, it was planned by the Modi government to provide Indian Railways connectivity to all North-Eastern states by 2020, except Sikkim. Considering this, all North-Eastern states except Sikkim, have been brought into the country’s rail map. However, with the sanction of new railway line work from Sivok in West Bengal up to Rangpo, Indian Railways is now all set to provide connectivity to the state of Sikkim as well, by December 2022.
Indian Railways Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal line project in North-East to have world’s tallest pier bridge; details
The rail line project involves construction of a total 45 tunnels. Tunnel Number 12 with a length of 10.280 kilometres, will be the longest tunnel in the Northeast.
www.financialexpress.com
New Delhi: A day after NITI Aayog questioned the Railways zero fatality claims in the last financial year, the national transporter on Thursday (August 20) responded that no deaths happened on its network due to accidents. However, it said that around 29,000 to 30,000 people lost their lives due to "unfortunate" casualties were recorded due to "trespassing" and untoward incidents like falling from trains.
Addressing a virtual press conference, Railway Board Chairman VK Yadav said, "Railways does keep a record of all the deaths that have occurred on its premises, but under three separate heads -- consequential accidents, trespassing, and untoward incidents."
The reactions came soon after the government’s policy think tank NITI Aayog raised concerns over the national transporter’s claim of zero deaths around railway tracks this fiscal. In a letter to Yadav, NITI Aayog Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Amitabh Kant had said that over 2,000 people lose their lives in the Mumbai suburban network every year and such deaths should also be part of the total deaths records on account of trespassing.
"It is true that consequential accidents were indeed zero in 2019-2020 and so far this year as well. We keep records of deaths due to trespassing like when people come on the tracks and are run over or people standing on the footboard of trains or hanging out of trains. In the last three years, around 29,000 to 30,000 people have lost their lives due to either trespassing or untoward incidents," Yadav said.
"This data will be given to NITI Aayog," he added.
He said these are the incidents over which Railways have little or no control. "Efforts are on to sensitise the public on avoiding such situations," he said.
In fact, after the 2018 tragedy in Amritsar wherein 59 people were killed and over 100 injured after being run over by two passenger trains while they were watching Dussehra celebrations, the Railways said that it was a case of trespassing.
Yadav also said that efforts are on to ensure that deaths due to such incidents too reduce, and "over the years they have".
After Yadav's briefing, the Railways issued a statement saying that while more than 8 billion passengers travelled by trains last year, there were zero passenger fatalities due to accidents.
"This has been achieved with a lot of efforts on the part of the Railways. While the deaths of passengers due to railway accidents has become Zero, unfortunate Casualties do occur due to trespassing and untoward incidents like falling from trains and that due to negligence or carelessness on the part of passengers/public."
Indian Railways says around 30,000 died due to ‘trespassing, untoward incidents' in 3 years
After Yadav's briefing, the Railways issued a statement saying that while more than 8 billion passengers travelled by trains last year, there were zero passenger fatalities due to accidents.
Indian Railways achieves milestone in pulling freight traffic, earns Rs 306.1 crore amid COVID-19 challenges
New Delhi: Indian Railways achieved a significant milestone of pulling freight traffic ahead of last year's level amid COVID-19 challenges, said a Ministry of Railways statement on Thursday (August 20).
On August 19, 2020, the freight loading was 3.11 million tonnes which is higher than last year for the same date (2.97 million tonnes). On the same date, Indian Railways also earned Rs 306.1 crore from freight loading which is Rs 5.28 crore higher than last year for the same date (Rs 300.82 crore), the statement said.
Till 19th August 2020, the total freight loading is 57.47 million tonnes which is higher than last year for the same period (53.65 million tonnes), and Railways earned Rs 5461.21 crore from freight loading which is Rs 25.9 crore higher than last year for the same period (Rs 5435.31 crore).
Notably, Indian Railways is going to promote Railways’ freight service, making traders, businesses, and suppliers aware of the benefits associated with transportation through railways.
1. Some benefits of Railway freight transportation includes:
- Economical transportation due to the subsidies provided
- Prompt and efficient delivery of goods
- Safe transportation, ensuring goods reach their destination without damage
- Environment-friendly method of transportation - will reduce the carbon footprint
- Introduction of a special train like Kisan Rail, accruing additional benefits to farmers and keeping perishables fresh for consumption
2. These promotions can be done in collaboration with Industry Associations.
3. Focus on how manufacturers and wholesalers will be benefitted as they will get their stock timely for Diwali
4. Indian Railways will publicise direct contact numbers and website details which can be accessed by traders for transporting freight, enhancing their ease.
5. Indian Railways can share human interest stories, highlighting how the common man is able to easily procure products for his daily needs and benefiting from the efficient services of Indian Railways.
Some of the major novel freight initiatives of Indian Railways are:
1. Business development units set up at all three levels – Division, Zones, Railways Board
2. Doubled the speed of freight trains from 23 kmph to 46 kmph
3. Timetabled parcel trains started from 30th March 2020 – 20 pairs
4. Opening up of export traffic to Bangladesh for Parcels and Containers - 10th July 2020
5. Opening up of Export traffic to Bangladesh for Automobiles – 12th August 2020
6. Kisan Rail introduced from Devlali (Nashik) to Danapur (Patna) – multiple stoppages, multiple commodities, multiple parties-2 trips already run on 7th and 14th August 2020
7. Freight cargo express trains - Vyapaar Mala Express trains
8. Tariff and non-tariff initiatives to make Rail transportation more attractive
9. Good sheds being improved on mission mode - 405 identified
10. Pilot project launched with ‘Department of Posts’ to provide door-to-door service to customers
zeenews.india.com
New Delhi: Indian Railways achieved a significant milestone of pulling freight traffic ahead of last year's level amid COVID-19 challenges, said a Ministry of Railways statement on Thursday (August 20).
On August 19, 2020, the freight loading was 3.11 million tonnes which is higher than last year for the same date (2.97 million tonnes). On the same date, Indian Railways also earned Rs 306.1 crore from freight loading which is Rs 5.28 crore higher than last year for the same date (Rs 300.82 crore), the statement said.
Till 19th August 2020, the total freight loading is 57.47 million tonnes which is higher than last year for the same period (53.65 million tonnes), and Railways earned Rs 5461.21 crore from freight loading which is Rs 25.9 crore higher than last year for the same period (Rs 5435.31 crore).
Notably, Indian Railways is going to promote Railways’ freight service, making traders, businesses, and suppliers aware of the benefits associated with transportation through railways.
1. Some benefits of Railway freight transportation includes:
- Economical transportation due to the subsidies provided
- Prompt and efficient delivery of goods
- Safe transportation, ensuring goods reach their destination without damage
- Environment-friendly method of transportation - will reduce the carbon footprint
- Introduction of a special train like Kisan Rail, accruing additional benefits to farmers and keeping perishables fresh for consumption
2. These promotions can be done in collaboration with Industry Associations.
3. Focus on how manufacturers and wholesalers will be benefitted as they will get their stock timely for Diwali
4. Indian Railways will publicise direct contact numbers and website details which can be accessed by traders for transporting freight, enhancing their ease.
5. Indian Railways can share human interest stories, highlighting how the common man is able to easily procure products for his daily needs and benefiting from the efficient services of Indian Railways.
Some of the major novel freight initiatives of Indian Railways are:
1. Business development units set up at all three levels – Division, Zones, Railways Board
2. Doubled the speed of freight trains from 23 kmph to 46 kmph
3. Timetabled parcel trains started from 30th March 2020 – 20 pairs
4. Opening up of export traffic to Bangladesh for Parcels and Containers - 10th July 2020
5. Opening up of Export traffic to Bangladesh for Automobiles – 12th August 2020
6. Kisan Rail introduced from Devlali (Nashik) to Danapur (Patna) – multiple stoppages, multiple commodities, multiple parties-2 trips already run on 7th and 14th August 2020
7. Freight cargo express trains - Vyapaar Mala Express trains
8. Tariff and non-tariff initiatives to make Rail transportation more attractive
9. Good sheds being improved on mission mode - 405 identified
10. Pilot project launched with ‘Department of Posts’ to provide door-to-door service to customers
Indian Railways achieves milestone in pulling freight traffic, earns Rs 306.1 crore amid COVID-19 challenges
Indian Railways will publicise direct contact numbers and website details which can be accessed by traders for transporting freight, enhancing their ease.
AIIB, India sign $500 million loan agreement to improve Mumbai suburban railway system
Mumbai: Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Monday signed a loan agreement for a $500 million Mumbai Urban Transport Project-III to improve the network capacity, service quality and safety of the suburban railway system in Mumbai.
The project is expected to increase network capacity in the region with the reduction in journey time and fatal accidents of commuters. It is estimated that among primary beneficiaries of the project, 22% are female passengers who will benefit from improved safety and quality of service.
The project will assist in improved mobility, service quality and safety of passengers of the suburban railway system of Mumbai, by providing faster, more reliable and higher quality transport services compared to road-based transport. There will be direct safety benefits to passengers and the public through the introduction of trespass control measures.
With a population of 22.8 million (2011), Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) is the most populous metropolitan region in India and is expected to reach 29.3 million by 2031 and 32.1 million by 2041. This population growth represents the core driver behind Mumbai’s urban expansion, compelling the state of Maharashtra to prioritize sound urban and infrastructure planning which balances economic activities, mobility as well as the optimization of environmental and social outcomes.
Around 86 per cent of Mumbai commuters rely on public transport. However, supply has not kept pace with rising travel demand. The Mumbai suburban railway network, which carries three-quarters of all motorized travel (78 per cent of passenger-km or eight million passengers per day) increasing at three per cent annually, suffers from some of the most severe overcrowding in the world. User experience is further compromised by low amenity of carriages, substandard stations and station access, and serious safety concerns. Between 2002-2012, there were more than 36,152 fatalities (on average, 9.9 fatalities per day) and 36,688 injuries on the Mumbai suburban railway network. A key reason for accidents and deaths is trespassing at or between stations as well as overcrowding of both stations and train cars.
AIIB Vice President DJ Pandian said that this project represents another major step in supporting our member countries in their efforts to provide transport capacity while removing transport bottlenecks, and thus improving the daily commuting experience of millions of Mumbaikars. In line with our Transport Sector Strategy, the Mumbai Urban Transport Project-III will also help in reducing carbon emissions by shifting passengers away from higher-carbon road transport towards efficient and convenient rail-based mobility. In addition, female passengers will benefit from improved safety and quality of service.
The total estimated cost of the project is $997 million, of which $500 million will be financed by the AIIB, $310 million by the Government of Maharashtra and $187 million by Ministry of Railways. The $500 million loan from the AIIB has a 5-year grace period and a maturity of 30 years.
www.timesnownews.com
Mumbai: Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Monday signed a loan agreement for a $500 million Mumbai Urban Transport Project-III to improve the network capacity, service quality and safety of the suburban railway system in Mumbai.
The project is expected to increase network capacity in the region with the reduction in journey time and fatal accidents of commuters. It is estimated that among primary beneficiaries of the project, 22% are female passengers who will benefit from improved safety and quality of service.
The project will assist in improved mobility, service quality and safety of passengers of the suburban railway system of Mumbai, by providing faster, more reliable and higher quality transport services compared to road-based transport. There will be direct safety benefits to passengers and the public through the introduction of trespass control measures.
With a population of 22.8 million (2011), Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) is the most populous metropolitan region in India and is expected to reach 29.3 million by 2031 and 32.1 million by 2041. This population growth represents the core driver behind Mumbai’s urban expansion, compelling the state of Maharashtra to prioritize sound urban and infrastructure planning which balances economic activities, mobility as well as the optimization of environmental and social outcomes.
Around 86 per cent of Mumbai commuters rely on public transport. However, supply has not kept pace with rising travel demand. The Mumbai suburban railway network, which carries three-quarters of all motorized travel (78 per cent of passenger-km or eight million passengers per day) increasing at three per cent annually, suffers from some of the most severe overcrowding in the world. User experience is further compromised by low amenity of carriages, substandard stations and station access, and serious safety concerns. Between 2002-2012, there were more than 36,152 fatalities (on average, 9.9 fatalities per day) and 36,688 injuries on the Mumbai suburban railway network. A key reason for accidents and deaths is trespassing at or between stations as well as overcrowding of both stations and train cars.
AIIB Vice President DJ Pandian said that this project represents another major step in supporting our member countries in their efforts to provide transport capacity while removing transport bottlenecks, and thus improving the daily commuting experience of millions of Mumbaikars. In line with our Transport Sector Strategy, the Mumbai Urban Transport Project-III will also help in reducing carbon emissions by shifting passengers away from higher-carbon road transport towards efficient and convenient rail-based mobility. In addition, female passengers will benefit from improved safety and quality of service.
The total estimated cost of the project is $997 million, of which $500 million will be financed by the AIIB, $310 million by the Government of Maharashtra and $187 million by Ministry of Railways. The $500 million loan from the AIIB has a 5-year grace period and a maturity of 30 years.
AIIB, India sign $500 million loan agreement to improve Mumbai suburban railway system
Mumbai Urban Transport Project-III is expected to increase network capacity in the region with the reduction in journey time and fatal accidents of commuters.