Mass Rapid Transit in India

Rohit_K · Post by **Rohit_K** » 07 Nov 2015 18:52

BIG day for Bangalore. TBM Margarita just made a breakthrough after 13 months!

Bangalore Metro’s TBM Margarita Makes a Breakthrough at North Ramp Close to Sampige Road Station

Lots of photos in this post of the Metro Rail Guy

Rohit_K · Post by **Rohit_K** » 08 Nov 2015 07:22

1. 'Margarita' Sees Light at the End of the Tunnel - related to the above breakthrough in Bangalore.

2. Inside the Delhi Metro’s Pink Line Tunnels Between Netaji Subhash Place & Shalimar Bagh

3. Bangalore Metro’s Mysore Road – Magadi Road Line to Start Commercial Operations Within 10 Days

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 09 Nov 2015 08:32

but again they are putting up some false promises of commissioning the raw tunnel for operations in Jan-Feb. dont they have to lay the lines, utilities and do trial runs first?

Rohit_K · Post by **Rohit_K** » 09 Nov 2015 18:13

Yes, the east-west underground section doesn't like look it can be opened by jan/feb. As of the last update (october newsletter) - they hadn't even completed the track work despite completing tunneling in March 2014!

Rohit_K · Post by **Rohit_K** » 09 Nov 2015 18:15

A small 4.4 km extension of the yellow line in north Delhi is going to open tomorrow at 2pm.

Delhi Metro’s Samaypur Badli Extension to Open on November 10

After this, the Delhi Metro will become 213 km long

Theo_Fidel · Post by **Theo_Fidel** » 09 Nov 2015 21:33

Personally I would not take these deadline statements so seriously. Let them do the right thing and get the construction right and we should give them the space to do it rather than put unnecessary pressure that is not amenable to construction issues. As a nation we are kinda learning on the job on these projects. We lack the battalions of skilled and experienced people other countries can roll out. All of India's problem result from not doing the right thing for one reason or another.

This metro will run for the next 200 years no one will remember a few months delay, while everyone will remember if an accident takes place. Just learn from the construction errors and move on...

Rohit_K · Post by **Rohit_K** » 10 Nov 2015 08:30

A Look Back into the History of Delhi Metro’s Samaypur Badli Line

This line is opening to the public in another 4.5 hours.

Rohit_K · Post by **Rohit_K** » 10 Nov 2015 21:39

1. Delhi Metro’s Samaypur Badli Line Starts Commercial Operations

2. Pier Cap Construction Begins on Ahmedabad’s Metro at Nirant Cross Roads

3. Vintage Kerala to Adorn Kochi Metro Stations

Hitesh · Post by **Hitesh** » 11 Nov 2015 03:06

Rohit_K wrote:A small 4.4 km extension of the yellow line in north Delhi is going to open tomorrow at 2pm.

Delhi Metro’s Samaypur Badli Extension to Open on November 10

After this, the Delhi Metro will become 213 km long

I want Delhi Metro to beat out Shangai Metro who stands out over 450 km long!! Delhi Metro needs to double its tracks and stations. Then only it can stand among the likes of London Tube, NYC Subway, Shangai Metro, and Moscow metro.

Karthik S · Post by **Karthik S** » 11 Nov 2015 06:04

^^ When all phases are done, it would have overtaken 3 of above systems.

Rohit_K · Post by **Rohit_K** » 11 Nov 2015 08:40

1. RITES Submits DPR for Kanpur’s Metro Project to UP Government

2. Meetings Held to Bring Metro Safety Under Urban Development Ministry’s Purview - this comes after the CMRS delayed the Jaipur, Chennai and most recently Delhi's Samaypur Badli extension.

Rohit_K · Post by **Rohit_K** » 11 Nov 2015 10:51

The contractor of the Noida to Greater Noida metro line has made absolutely phenomenal progress. Less than 6 months after getting the contract, a concrete pour for the first pier took place yesterday

Details here: Excellent Progress on Pier and U-Shaped Girder Casting Works for Noida – Gr. Noida Line

Rohit_K · Post by **Rohit_K** » 12 Nov 2015 09:57

News on Bangalore's Cubbon Park to Magadi Road section. Tunneling here was completed in March 2014.

Trial Runs on Bangalore Metro’s Underground Section Finally Begin

Rohit_K · Post by **Rohit_K** » 12 Nov 2015 18:12

Rohit_K wrote:Bangalore Metro's MD - Pradeep Singh Kharola and his team are all pathological liars. Time and again, they've lied about when different reaches of the system will open up and have come up with flimsy excuses for not doing so. Now even the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety has called him out.

BMRCL Awaits Nod; Safety Body Says It was Issued in Sept

The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has shown green light to Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) to throw open the Mysuru Road-Magadi Road stretch for public. This permission came about as far back as September first week but the BMRCL is yet to launch the service.Commissioner SK Mittal told ET that he gave safety clearance two months ago and said they could go ahead with the service any time they want. “I have not asked for any changes and I don't know why they are not starting the service while people are eagerly waiting for years to board a metro,“ Mittal said.

BMRCL Managing Director Pradeep Singh Kharola, however, maintained that the CRS had indeed suggested some minor changes and the BMRCL will start the service after these changes are made. He also indicated that the service might start any time.

A date has finally been set!

Bangalore Metro’s Mysore Road – Magadi Road Section to be Inaugurated on November 16

Rohit_K · Post by **Rohit_K** » 12 Nov 2015 23:43

Images from Inside the Jaipur Metro’s Tunnel Between Chandpol & Choti Chaupur

Link has images from inside 1 of the 4 tunnel sections. Recently another TBM started work on 2nd section which will run parallel to the above tunnel.

Rohit_K · Post by **Rohit_K** » 13 Nov 2015 06:51

Trial runs of Mumbai's Monorail Phase II to start in Feb

Phase 2 is basically an extension of the existing line - see red line on this map. This will serve as a great feeder service to all 3 suburban lines - Harbour (Chembur, Wadala, GTB), Western (Lower Parel) and Central (Chinchpokli, Currey Road). When the metro's line 3 is built between Colaba and SEEPZ, its Mahalaxmi station will not be too far off from the Jacob Circle station.

Rohit_K · Post by **Rohit_K** » 13 Nov 2015 09:17

Check out this comprehensive tunneling update on Bangalore's Metro:

Bangalore Metro – November 2015 Tunneling Update

Includes progress details on all remaining stretches with recent images from inside & outside different stations. One of the TBMs (Krishna) is yet to start and might take an entire year to finish, so Phase 1 of namma metro will most likely be completely operational only by mid-2017.

Rohit_K · Post by **Rohit_K** » 13 Nov 2015 21:31

View of Gurgaon Metro's under construction 7 km southern extension :

From the metro rail guy's twitter profile

Rohit_K · Post by **Rohit_K** » 14 Nov 2015 19:54

1. Vijayawada’s PNBS to Penamaluru Metro Line to Pass over Proposed Benz Circle Flyover

2. Completed Façade of Kochi’s Metro Train Unveiled

image:

more details in the link above.

Rohit_K · Post by **Rohit_K** » 14 Nov 2015 23:30

Earlier this year DMRC had put the names of 9 stations in the suburbs (Gurgaon, Noida) up for bidding in order to generate some cash. This is the second station to be rebranded:

Delhi Metro’s Guru Dronacharya Station Renamed to Indigo Guru Dronacharya

Rohit_K · Post by **Rohit_K** » 15 Nov 2015 20:14

Bangalore's 6.4 km Reach 2 (Magadi Road - Mysore Road) is going to start operations tomorrow. Here's the metro rail guy's post which goes over the line's entire history with lots of maps and images.

A Look Back into the History of Bangalore Metro’s Magadi Road – Mysore Line

One of the maps:

After the 6.7 km Reach 1 from Baiyappanahalli Depot to MG Road and 12.4 km Reach 3, 3A & 3B from Nagasandra to Sampige Road, the 6.4 km Reach 2 will be the third reach or section to be opened. As you can see below, all 3 reaches will operate as stand-alone lines since the underground sections for both the Purple and Green line’s will take some more time to start.

Rohit_K · Post by **Rohit_K** » 16 Nov 2015 08:04

MIAL to Levy Development Fee on Fliers from Mumbai’s CSIA for Funding Metro’s Construction

The proposal which is currently awaiting the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA)’s final approval has suggested an additional Development Fee of Rs 15 for each embarking domestic passenger and Rs. 75 for each embarking international passenger. This fee would be on top of the Development Fee of Rs. 100 and Rs. 600 that MIAL currently charges on passengers flying domestic and international routes respectively out of the city.

member_29172 · Post by **member_29172** » 16 Nov 2015 09:22

Rohit_K are you the metrorail guy? If so, thank you for your wonderful contributions so far. MG's blog is an excellent resource for the metro rail projects. A big thanks for your regular updates as well. Keep it coming.

Kashi · Post by **Kashi** » 16 Nov 2015 10:08

Alka_P wrote:Rohit_K are you the metrorail guy? If so, thank you for your wonderful contributions so far. MG's blog is an excellent resource for the metro rail projects. A big thanks for your regular updates as well. Keep it coming.

+108

The blog is wonderful with all those pics and maps. Rohit_K's posts are terrific as well by providing specific information. Muchh appreciated sir!!

Suraj · Post by **Suraj** » 16 Nov 2015 10:23

Please don't ask people to reveal their identities. Be happy that there are members who care to take the time and effort to post useful things here.

Rohit_K · Post by **Rohit_K** » 16 Nov 2015 21:18

Bangalore Metro's Reach 2 from Magadi Road to Mysore Road was formally inaugurated today. Commercial operations will begin on Wednesday at 4pm due to oscillation trials on the underground section which apparently affects the signalling system.

Bangalore Metro’s 6.4 Km Magadi Road – Mysore Line Inaugurated!

a dry run:

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 17 Nov 2015 05:22

metros surely adding a dimension in a multi-dimensional Vikas space for Desh.

I hope mass transit can be also similarly augmented with roads/BRTS solution.

Once engaged, a city-wide day travel pass can be like a norm to hop from a BRTS or metro to other interconnected transport systems including say a nation/city wide self-riding autos/taxis etc.

I like the integrated solution in Japan? or some places where you can take a public self-driven vehicle (1/2/4 seaters) and drop them off at designated areas. Then pick a metro, hop into a bus, reach your work... all in a single metering system.

Sachin · Post by **Sachin** » 17 Nov 2015 09:22

SaiK wrote:I like the integrated solution in Japan?

The Oyster card in London seems to have covered this aspect very well. A "touch-less" card can be used in buses, the tube and even in certain sections of the National Rail. And that too, it even has the "zone" wise data stored, so that people can decide which zones they would use the card, and are charged accordingly. Such a system should be rolled out in Indian cities as well. If I remember right, Namma Metro and BMTC had such plans thought out. But I feel the first requirement is to get the Namma Metro fully operational (even in underground sections etc.). Waiting for that day.

Suraj · Post by **Suraj** » 17 Nov 2015 09:43

Mumbai and Delhi are both close to implementing an integrated fare payment system for all public transport:
A single smart card for all modes of transport in Mumbai is closer to reality (July 2015)
More Card

Rohit_K · Post by **Rohit_K** » 17 Nov 2015 10:29

1. Modern Dhobi Ghat built by the Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) inaugurated - This was constructed by HMR as "compensation and rehabilitation in lieu of the one acre site acquired for the construction of the Metro rail viaduct." Recently, the HMR built & inaugurated a govt school at Chaderghat as well - see pic.

2. Delhi Metro's Noida City Centre to Noida Sec 62 Metro line construction takes off

3. Images of Track-Work Underway for Kochi’s Metro at Kalamassery

4. E. Sreedharan Assures Lucknow Metro Will Start Operations in March 2017

Mr. E Sreedharan who functions as Lucknow Metro’s Principal Advisor has in a recent interview given his word that the metro will start commercial operations on the 8.3 km priority corridor from Transport Nagar to Charbagh in March 2017! Also, the first metro train built by Alstom from its Sri City rolling stock manufacturing plant will arrive in September 2016 and trial runs will commence when the Depot is ready in December 2016.

Nick_S · Post by **Nick_S** » 17 Nov 2015 14:05

Thank you for the posts Rohit_K.

Rohit_K · Post by **Rohit_K** » 17 Nov 2015 20:47

Andhra Pradesh Cabinet Approves 42.54 Km Visakhapatnam Metro Project

The 3 lines that will comprise Vizag’s metro system are:
• Line 1 – Gajuwaka to Kommadi – 30.38 km with stations at Kommadi Junction, Hanumanthawaka Junction, Maddilapalem, Gurudwara Junction, Akkayyapalem, Kancharapalem, Muralinagar, Government Polytechnic College, Thatichetlapalem, Kancharapalem, Murali Nagar, GSI, NAD Junction, Visakhapatnam International Airport, Sheela Nagar, BHPV, Auto Nagar and Gajuwaka.
• Line 2 – Gurudwara Junction to Old Post Office – 5.25 km with stations at BVK College, RTC Complex, Dabagardens, Saraswati Circle, Poorna Market and Old Post Office.
• Line 3 – Thatichetlapalem to Chinna Waltair – 6.91 km with stations at New Railway Colony, Railway Station, Allipuram Junction, RTC Complex, Siripuram Junction, Andhra University and Chinna Waltair.

Rohit_K · Post by **Rohit_K** » 18 Nov 2015 07:54

1. First Commercial Run of Bangalore's 6.4 km Magadi Road-Mysuru Road today

The first commercial run of Namma Metro on Reach-2 between Mysore Road and Magadi Road stations will commence from both the ends at 4 pm on Wednesday. According to an official release issued here on Tuesday, the trains will run till 10 pm with a frequency of 15 minutes. The regular operational hours will be between 6 am and 10 pm, the release said. “The increase or decrease in train frequency will be decided on the patronage on this section,” the release added.

2. [Pics] TBM Margarita in Bangalore Being Dismantled After North Ramp Breakthrough

As per an on-site engineer, this battle hardened TBM will now be put through extensive mechanical repairs. Its owner, the CEC-CICI JV, has plans to either use the TBM if they win an underground tunneling contract in Phase 2 or sell the TBM to the highest bidder for use in Phase 2’s tunneling, so either way, Margarita will most probably be back in action towards the end of 2017!

3. Delhi Metro’s MG Road Station in Gurgaon Renamed to SYSKA MG Road

The MG Road (Mehrauli – Gurgaon and not Mahatma Gandhi as one would assume!) station has been renamed to include SYSKA after Pune based SYSKA LED put in the highest bid for renaming the station in April this year.

Rohit_K · Post by **Rohit_K** » 18 Nov 2015 09:25

Kolkata Metro’s Proposed Mominpur Station to be Discussed with Defense Officials Today

Defence Ministry had rejected plans to allow the construction of this station on a 2,500 sq m land parcel adjacent to the army’s Command Hospital due to security reasons. The Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) & Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) had estimated that this will be the most used station on the line, and without it, extending the line further north to Esplanade will not be viable as the distance between the two adjacent stations at Majerhat and Kidderpore will be nearly 3 km.

Rohit_K · Post by **Rohit_K** » 18 Nov 2015 20:04

Bangalore Metro Starts Operations on Reach 2 between Magadi Road and Mysore Road!

With this section now operational, the Bangalore Metro’s network has now expanded from 19.1 km to 25.5 km!

As a reminder, the entire system’s length in Phase 1 will be 42.30km long, so there’s another 16.8 km left to be opened:
• Purple line – 4.8 km Underground UG2 – MG Road to Magadi Road
• Green line – 4 km – Underground UG1 – Sampige Road to National College
• Green line – 8 km – Reach 4 & 4A – National College to Puttenahalli

Rohit_K · Post by **Rohit_K** » 19 Nov 2015 08:11

1. Joy All Round on First Day, First Ride on Bangalore Metro's Reach 2 - includes experiences of first time riders

2. Delhi Metro’s Noida Sector-18 Station Renamed to Wave Sector-18 Noida - renamed as part of DMRC's initiative to generate extra revenue from bidding out the semi-naming rights of 9 stations

3. [Pics] Noida – Gr. Noida Metro Line Taking Shape at Sector 51 & Delta 1

Sachin · Post by **Sachin** » 19 Nov 2015 10:12

Any idea when the Phase 1 would get completed in all aspects - i.e including the big underground station at Majestic? I feel that without that getting into completion the Metro's benefits would not be realised. And I also feel that once the Metro is fully operational, there would be a major difference in the road traffic patterns in that area. Off late, I am seeing lots of people who are ready to keep their cars home (due to frustration) if another good mode to commute is provided.

Rohit_K · Post by **Rohit_K** » 19 Nov 2015 19:22

Sachin wrote:Any idea when the Phase 1 would get completed in all aspects - i.e including the big underground station at Majestic?

Realistically mid 2017. TBM Krishna is yet to begin tunneling on the up-line tunnel between Chickpet and Majestic stations. If we go by the BMRCL's GM for Finance tweet, then work will start within 7 days. TBM Kaveri which is working on the parallel tunnel started in Feb 2015 and has completed 70% of its job, so Krishna would take at the very least a year for tunneling.

More in-depth info on tunneling progress here: Bangalore Metro – November 2015 Tunneling Update

Rohit_K · Post by **Rohit_K** » 19 Nov 2015 21:59

Delhi Metro Completes Dragging TBM1 & Starts Dragging TBM2 Across Naraina Vihar Station - includes many images of the (1000 tonne?) TBM1 dragged and TBM2 being dragged to the other end of the station for another launch.

Rohit_K · Post by **Rohit_K** » 20 Nov 2015 07:57

NCC Ltd Emerges as Lowest Bidder for Bangalore Metro’s 6.29 Km Extension to Anjanapura

This is the 2nd section of Phase 2 to be awarded. Includes 5 new stations at Anjanapura Cross Road, Krishna Leela Park, Vajrahalli, Thalghattapura and Anjanapura/NICE Junction.