Thursday, August 23, 2012

Union Funding of Metro Projects: 2011-12

Projects
Funds Released 
(Rs Crore)
Delhi Metro Rail
621.28
Chennai Metro Rail
1250.00
Kolkata Metro Rail  (East-West Corridor)
136.50
Bangalore Metro Rail
1468.00
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
186.27
Procurement of Buses
68.26

Friday, August 17, 2012

DMRC established a JV between the Delhi Govt. & the Central Govt.


The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) was established as a JV between the Delhi Government and the Central Government in 1995 to implement the Delhi Metro rail project.

Currently, two phases of the Delhi Metro project are complete and Phase III is under construction. Delhi Metro Phase III, comprises six corridors in total length of 69.57 km to metro network with 31.11 km of elevated section and 38.46 km of underground section, entailing an investment of `35,000 crore. Underground section with extensions to existing lines as follows:
  • From Anand Vihar in East Delhi to Dhaula Kuan in Southwest Delhi
  • From Noida to Malviya Nagar
  • Jahangirpuri to Badli
  • From West Delhi's Ashok Park to Delhi Gate in Central Delhi
  • Central Secretariat to Red Fort
  • Mukundpur to Rajouri Garden
The project comprises total of 28 underground stations. Around 40 per cent of Phase III will be built underground and three different stretches will pass below the existing underground metro corridors in the city. The underground stretches are as follows:
  • From Sarojini Nagar to INA on the Mukundpur-Yamuna Vihar corridor,
  • From Indira Gandhi domestic airport to Kalkaji on the Janak Puri West to Kalindi Kunj corridor and Mandi House to ITO stretch.
Currently work on the project is in full swing, the entire project is scheduled for completion by March 2016.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Metro Rail: Policy Development


The Ministry of Urban Development launched the National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP) in 2006 to ensure, accessible, safe, affordable and sustainable mobility for all. The major objectives of the policy are:

Bring about better integration of land use and transport planning so as to improve access to jobs, education, etc.:
  • Encourage public transport and non-motorized transport so that the dependence on personal motor vehicles is reduced;
  • Offer central government support for investments in cycle tracks and pedestrian paths;
  • Offer central government support for investments in mass transit systems;
  • Have a more coordinated approach to urban transport management through Unified Metropolitan Transport Authorities;
  • Offer support for capacity building at the state level;
  • Design parking facilities in a manner that encourages greater use of public transport and non motorized modes as also financial support for construction of parking complexes;
  • Provide concessions for the adoption of cleaner fuel and vehicle technologies so that the pollution caused by motor vehicles gets reduced.

In May 2012, the Ministry of Urban Development, constituted an advisory board for metro railways. The board will assist and advise the Central Government on matters pertaining to the metro rail systems coming in various cities in the country. 

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Northern grid fails again, Delhi Metro comes to a standstill

Delhi Metro came to a standstill on Tuesday afternoon following the collapse of the Northern Power Grid for the second time in two days, inconveniencing thousands of commuters. 

Metro operations came to a standstill at around 1.10pm after the northern grid failed again, officials said. 

Entry to stations and security checking counters were closed at stations. 

Traffic signals have also stopped functioning affecting smooth movement of traffic. 

Due to Northern Grid failure, all trains services have been suspended. Trains are being brought to the nearest stations for evacuation. DMRC was taking all efforts to ensure the safety and security of the passengers stuck in trains due to power failure. 

Delhi Metro's train schedule went haywire on Monday for at least three hours due to largescale disruption in services owing to a major power failure in the northern grid.