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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
 Posted - 09/09/2009 : 22:50:40
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HC quashes plea against Metro land
TNN 9 September 2009, 11:42pm IST
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday dismissed the plea of a man seeking directions from court to stop Delhi Metro Rail Corporation
(DMRC) from acquiring a part of his land to build the Chattarpur Metro station.
Stating that such an order will act as a hurdle in completion of the Metro project before the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the HC said acquisition of the land was a decision taken by experts and it could not interfere in the matter.
Lifting the stay on the construction of a Metro station, a division bench comprising Justice Vikramjit Sen and Justice V K Jain refused to interfere with the decision taken by the experts by selecting the land at Mehrauli village for construction of a metro rail station. "Such an exercise if undertaken would inevitably result in project not being completed before Commonwealth Games, 2010," it said.
The court dismissed the petition filed by Rajinder Kishan Gupta and others challenging the government's notification for acquisition of agricultural land at Mehrauli village and directed DDA to allot the land, which was not done so far due to the present civil case.
The court also dismissed the allegations of the petitioner that DMRC was unwilling to use DDA land as the said land would be given on leasehold basis and cannot be used for commercial purposes. "A perusal of the approval granted by Central Empowerment Committee of this project would show that one of the conditions imposed by the Committee was that the area falling within the Delhi region shall not be used for any commercial purpose by DMRC or any other party," the court said while calling the allegation meritless.
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Edited by - S.ravi on 09/09/2009 22:51:04 |
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2009 : 06:22:13
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Motorola bags communication deal for Mumbai, Delhi metro
PTI 9 September 2009, 05:12pm IST
NEW DELHI: Global telecom major Motorola on Wednesday said it has bagged contracts from the Delhi Airport Metro Express Link and the Mumbai Metro for rolling out digital radio communication platform across their rail networks.
Both have chosen Motorola's TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) digital radio communication platform to ensure mission-critical communication across their rail networks, Motorola said in a statement.
The size of the orders, however, was not disclosed. The company has won similar contracts for Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad International airports as well as for the Delhi Metro project, it added.
Under the contracts, Motorola will supply its scalable Dimetra IP system, which will enable secure and seamless communications essential for ensuring passenger safety and security and is capable of full interoperability across multiple user segments.
"With over 500 digital mission-critical networks successfully rolled out worldwide, including major strategic projects in India, we are very pleased to be bringing in our global learning to meet the stringent standards of these two metro projects in India," Motorola India Director Sales and Country Head Enterprise Mobility Solutions Subodh Vardhan said.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2009 : 13:22:21
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Delhi Metro gets coaches from Bharat Earth
http://news.webindia123.com/news/ar_showdetails.asp?id=909110264&cat=&n_date=20090911
Bangalore |Friday, 2009 3:35:11 PM IST
State-run Bharat Earth Movers Friday rolled out India's first set of four standard gauge metro cars for Delhi Metro Rail Corp's second phase of mass rapid transport system.
The stainless steel air-conditioned coaches are indigenously manufactured at Bharat Earth's Bangalore complex under technology
transfer from Rotem of South Korea.
Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa flagged off and handed over the first train set of four cars to Delhi Metro managing director E. Sreedharan.
Delhi Metro's second phase covers a 125-km network.
Though Rotem shipped the first four-coach train set of standard gauge to Delhi Metro in March, Bharat Earth will supply 196 cars for the second phase.
The value of the order is estimated to be Rs.1,365 crore.
The standard gauge car has a single glass pane unlike two separate panes in the
broad gauge cars.
Other features are closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras, power supply
connections to charge mobiles and laptops, better humidity control and
microprocessor controlled disc brakes.
“When we commission the second phase, commuters of broad gauge in the first
phase will have to switch over to the standard gauge for travelling on the new
lines at transit hubs,” Sreedharan told reporters.
Delhi Metro will hereafter use standard gauge coaches as per international
norms. Each set of four cars has a capacity to carry 1,300 passengers.
“We plan to place an order with BEML (Bharat Earth) for supply of 60
additional cars for the third phase to be built from Delhi to Faridabad in
Haryana,” Sreedharan said.
Indigenisation of Metro cars has reduced the coast by 10 percent.
"Increasing localisation and great vendor participation will lower the cost by
15-18 percent when BEML designs and develops cost-effective coaches,”
Sreedharan said.
Bharat Earth will also supply 46 sets of six coaches each to Delhi Metro, which currently operates about 220 coaches over 62 km.
The company has an order from Bangalore Metro Rail Corp for supply of 150 standard gauge cars at an estimated cost of Rs.1,673 crore. The first set of cars is slated for delivery by October 2010 for test purpose.
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Edited by - S.ravi on 09/11/2009 13:30:31 |
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 09/12/2009 : 02:46:18
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Bangalore: Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa said here on Friday that the future of urban public transport lay in developing the metro rail network in Indian cities.
He was speaking after flagging off the first set of standard gauge coaches manufactured by BEML for the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). Mr. Yeddyurappa said metro rail networks were a safe and comfortable mode of transport in cities such as Bangalore, which suffer from severe traffic congestion. Referring to the Value Added Tax concessions extended to BEML by the government, he said, The measure has yielded rich dividends, resulting in world class infrastructure and manufacturing capability within the State.
Indigenous
Union Minister of State for Railways K.H. Muniyappa symbolically handed over the first indigenously developed 80-tonne aluminium wagon developed by BEML to the National Aluminium Company Ltd. (NALCO).
Union Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju said BEML had displayed the capability of diversifying its product range. He pointed out that the company had bagged the contract for supplying 150 coaches for the Bangalore metro project despite stiff global competition.
DMRC chairman E. Sreedharan said BEML would supply 196 standard gauge coaches for Phase II of the Delhi Metro. This may be followed by an additional order for about 60 coaches when the Delhi-Faridabad line is ready for operations. |
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 09/12/2009 : 22:09:02
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DMRC : Metro train derails near Yamuna bridge; none injured
http://www.samaylive.com/news/metro-train-derails-near-yamuna-bridge-none-injured/656298.html
Sun, 13 Sep 2009 at 08:05 IST
New Delhi, Sep 13 In second such incident in a month, a Delhi Metro train with 13 people on board derailed early this morning near the Yamuna Bridge in east Delhi but no one was injured.
Two wheels of the train's front coach jumped tracks at 6:04 am, seconds after it started from the Yamuna Bank station, a DMRC spokesperson said, adding that none of the 13 passengers on board were injured.
"Since it was the first train starting from Yamuna Bank station there were only 13 passengers. The accident took place as the train approached towards the Yamuna Bridge, just half-a kilometre from Yamuna Bank station," the spokesperson said.
Services on the Yamuna Bank-Indraprastha sector have been affected due to the incident, but metro trains were plying normally from Indraprastha-Dwarka Sector 9.
The DMRC spokesman said recovery operations were on at the accident site and senior DMRC officials have arrived to oversee the operations.
The accident comes exactly a month after a metro train derailed at the Dwarka station causing anxious moments to 34 passnegers on board.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 09/12/2009 : 22:13:47
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BEML delivers first set of stainless steel metro cars to Delhi Metro
http://steelguru.com/news/index/2009/09/13/MTExNTM5/BEML_delivers_first_set_of_stainless_steel_metro_cars_to_Delhi_Metro.html
Sunday, 13 Sep 2009
It is repotted that state run Bharat Earth Movers Ltd achieved a milestone on Friday by rolling out India's first standard gauge metro car.
The first set of metro car was handed over to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd.
The stainless steel air conditioned metro cars were manufactured at BEML's Bangalore complex with the assistance of South Korean Rotem with which the Indian company had inked a technology transfer agreement.
In March, Rotem had shipped the first set of four-car train of standard gauge to Delhi Metro. Later, BEML received an order worth INR 1365 crore to supply 196 cars for the second phase of Delhi Metro expansion, which will cover a 125 kilometer track network.
Mr E Sreedharan MD of DMRCL said that "We plan to place an order with BEML supply of 60 additional cars for the third phase to be built from Delhi to Faridabad in Haryana.”
He added that "Increasing localization and great vendor participation will lower the cost by 15% to 18% when BEML designs and develops cost effective coaches.” Delhi Metro currently operates about 220 coaches over 62 kilometres, with a daily passenger load of 1.5 million.
(Sourced from Hindu)
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 09/13/2009 : 02:57:15
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Delhi Metro train derails, junior engineer suspended
IANS 13 September 2009, 12:36pm IST
NEW DELHI: A coach of the Delhi Metro derailed near the Yamuna Bank station in east Delhi on Sunday morning, disrupting train services
temporarily, an official said. While no injuries were reported, a junior engineer has been suspended.
Two wheels of the front coach of a metro train went off the tracks near the Yamuna Bank station at 6.02 a.m., causing some panic among the passengers. This was the first train service of the day on the Yamuna Bank-Indraprastha-Dwarka line, said an official of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
"Fourteen passengers were travelling in the train at that time and no one was injured. The number of commuters was low as this was the first train service on the route (Yamuna Bank-Indraprastha-Dwarka line)," the official said.
A high-level committee has been constituted to probe the accident and the junior engineer in charge of track maintenance has been suspended, the DMRC spokesperson said.
"Prima facie, the derailment seems to have occurred due to problems related to the track, so the junior engineer in charge of track maintenance has been suspended," he said.
"The high-level inquiry committee consists of three officers - general manager (maintenance), general manager (rolling stock) and general manager (signalling and telecom) - from the Operations and Maintenance Department of the DMRC," he added.
The accident disrupted metro services between Yamuna bank and Indraprastha.
"The services on the route have been temporarily suspended as metro maintenance teams are working for the restoration of the site. We are currently checking the tracks and if there is any damage, resumption of services may take longer," the official said.
The Indraprastha-Yamuna Bank metro line is the extension of the Dwarka-Indraprastha route.
However, the metro services between Indraprastha and Dwarka remained normal.
This is the second instance of a metro coach derailing within a span of one month. On Aug 12, a coach of a metro train went off the tracks on the Dwarka-Indraprastha route. There were 40 passengers on the train and no one was injured.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 09/13/2009 : 04:09:26
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Metro film to educate commuters about use of emergency button
http://beta.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/article19387.ece
A film on a family of five and their maiden trip on the Metro, complete with the “first-timer” capers has become a big draw for commuters at Rajiv Chowk and Kashmere Gate Metro stations. The “family” represents the commuters who are yet to comprehend the use of the emergency buttons inside Metro coaches.
To create awareness among such commuters, most of whom still look for
“chains” to bring the trains to a halt in case of an emergency; the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has produced a minute long film featuring a family’s dilemma when their child gets left behind at a Metro station.
“From the feedback that we received from commuters, it was evident that a large number of them were unsure of how the emergency buttons function. Most did not understand how to use the emergency service and some kept looking for the “emergency chain” that is used in trains,” said a DMRC official.
The film, which is a little over one minute, revolves around a family whose little daughter is left behind at the station, even as the rest of them are onboard. “We have used the film to show how the emergency service inside the coach can be used in such emergencies and how the DMRC can help,” the official said.
The Delhi Metro has recently released three films to spread awareness about the use of emergency call buttons inside the trains and the penalties that can be imposed on commuters for offences such as squatting and crossing of Metro tracks.
“These films of little over one minute duration are being screened currently on 50 screens at Rajiv Chowk and Kashmere Gate Metro stations. While two films focus on how to use the emergency buttons, one film is based on the penalties that can be imposed on commuters for offences like spitting, littering, making noise or behaving improperly,” said the official.
The films are part of DMRC’s endeavour to discipline commuters and focus on adhering to rules. “There are routine announcements in the coaches urging people to vacate seats reserved for ladies, disabled and the senior citizens. We also urge commuters not to squat on the floor of the train, or sit on the stairs. Playing music aloud can also invite a penalty and we constantly advise people not to do so. Hopefully, these films will take the messages forward and the commuters will become more disciplined,” the official said.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 09/13/2009 : 18:41:29
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Close shave for Metro passengers
Staff Reporter
Coach derails near Yamuna bridge
Junior engineer placed under suspension
NEW DELHI: Passengers onboard a Delhi Metro train had a narrow escape on Sunday morning when a coach derailed near the Yamuna bridge. Although no injuries were reported, this is the third mishap involving the Metro since July and the second since August.
According to a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation spokesperson, the mishap occurred at 6.02 a.m. when the train was on its way from the Yamuna Bank station towards Dwarka. The front wheels of the second coach of the train heading towards Indraprastha derailed, he said.
The spokesperson said prima facie the derailment appeared to have been caused by problems related to the track and a junior engineer in charge of track maintenance had been suspended. Two wheels of the coach jumped the track moments after it started from the Yamuna Bank station, he added.
Probe panel set up
A high-level inquiry committee comprising four officers General Manager (Maintenance), GM (Rolling Stock) and GM (Signalling and Telecom) and GM (Operations) has been set up.
Since it was the first train starting from the Yamuna Bank station, there were only 14 passengers at that time and no one was injured, he said.
Referring to the restoration work, the spokesperson said: A 12-member team from the Shastri Park depot, along with a rerailment vehicle, reached the site at 8.28 a.m. and completed the entire exercise by 10.06 a.m. The whole process was completed in less than two hours.
Four sets of hydraulic jacks were used to put the coach back on rail.
The train was then sent to the Yamuna Bank depot for further checks.
Track checked
After moving the train to the depot, the affected track was checked by a team of experts and repair work was completed in about four hours. Three rounds of empty train trials were conducted from 12.01 p.m. to 1.30 p.m. between the Yamuna Bank and Indraprastha stations to check the feasibility of passenger services on the section, the spokesperson said.
The DMRC spokesperson said that normal train services on entire Line 3 were restored at 2.50 p.m.
The mishap comes exactly a month after a Metro train derailed near the Dwarka station.
This is the third major accident involving Delhi Metro in two months. On July 12, six persons were killed when an under-construction bridge on the Central Secretariat-Badarpur line collapsed near Jamrudpur in South Delhi |
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 09/14/2009 : 05:35:10
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Sunday's incident near Yamuna Bank is the second derailment reported on Delhi Metro's Line 3 within a month in which passenger safety has
been compromised. Even though the corporation is yet to complete disciplinary proceedings against its staff for the August 12 Dwarka derailment, it is now faced with a similar incident on the same line. This is perhaps the first time that two serious operational lapses have occurred in the history of Delhi Metro, shaking public confidence in what has been touted a world-class system.
At present, Delhi Metro has 70 km of lines operational. Another 124 km is scheduled to be added by the end of 2010 as part of its second phase. Of this, just 11 km has been commissioned. The one question being asked by experts is that if the corporation is unable to handle such a limited network, what will happen next year when both phases are up and running.
In the Dwarka incident, the three-member committee comprising three general managers of DMRC and Govind Ballabh, a retired Indian Railways traffic services officer, has given its report in which it concluded that the incident took place because of the fault of the train operator. He reportedly overlooked the red signal and drove the train on manual mode for no apparent reason. "A disciplinary (DAR) inquiry has been started against the driver as part of which a major penalty chargesheet has already been issued,'' said a DMRC spokesperson. The train operator was suspended soon after the incident.
Sources say that the main problem is that the corporation is working in haste and has tried to reduce expenditure during the planning stages. "In the Dwarka incident, the ATP system had not been designed properly. The driver switched to manual mode because ATP was taking too long to get started and he had to move the train to maintain the frequency of the system,'' sources said.
The other problem is lack of accountability as unlike other government departments, DMRC is not answerable to anyone for day-to-day issues. Most mishaps are inquired into by in-house committees and officials reportedly seldom reach a consensus on what actually went wrong as they are directly affected by the outcome. Another problem, experts feel, is that inspections by senior staff are not encouraged in the organisation due to which their is no fear of non-performance.
DMRC officials defended this and said the trains are running all day and some problems are bound to happen. "This does not affect the functioning of DMRC. In fact, such incidents are normal in Metros abroad,'' said an official.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 09/14/2009 : 05:40:52
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Centre calls DMRC board meeting on Wednesday
Mahendra Kumar Singh , TNN 14 September 2009, 02:11am IST
NEW DELHI: The Centre took serious note of recurrent accidents involving Metro in the Capital with urban development secretary M Ramachandran, who is also chairman of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), summoning a board meeting on Wednesday to take stock of the situation and fix responsibility.
The board meeting has been called with yet another mishap involving Delhi Metro within a month. The accident comes exactly a month after a Metro train with 34 passengers on board derailed at the Dwarka station.
Though DMRC promptly ordered a probe, the urban development ministry, which has 50% partnership in DMRC, is worried that recurring accidents could shake people's confidence in the Metro system. "It is necessary to evaluate the situation otherwise these small incidents will add up and affect public confidence," Ramachandran told TOI.
So far, even after the collapse of a metro pillar at Zamrudpur near Lady Shri Ram College, the Centre had firmly backed DMRC chief E Sreedharan. While this had not changed and the ministry feels that DMRC's overall record is exemplary, it feels the need to push for greater oversight, particularly as the passenger load has climbed steeply.
Apart from evaluating measures taken by the Metro management after the last accident, the board will also look into the causes behind Sunday's incident which is a second derailment within a month. "Why did a similar accident happen? Was responsibility for the last accident fixed and was the guilty punished? The board will look into all these aspects," Ramachandran said. The board will also review improvements made after the last accident.
"DMRC has been operating Metro rail in the Capital since 2002 and has had a great track record on safety and security fronts. It is high time to know what has gone wrong now," a ministry official said |
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 09/14/2009 : 19:38:07
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Weak support to track caused derailment
Sidhartha Roy, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, September 14, 2009
The culprit has been identified.
The derailment of a Metro coach near Yamuna Bank station on Sunday has been blamed on the ballast that supports the track.
About four km of the Metro track from the Yamuna Bank station till the river Yamuna is on ground level and is supported by ballasts, unlike elevated and underground stretches where the track is laid on a concrete viaduct or bed.
The ballasts, that keep the track in place, are made of crushed stones.
The wheels of the trains second coach got derailed because the tracks were not evenly aligned. It seems there was a problem with the ballasts that support the track, said a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) official on condition of anonymity fearing reprisal.
On Sunday, a metro train with 14 passengers on board derailed after starting its first journey of the day from Yamuna Bank station to Indraprastha station at 6.02 am.
DMRC suspended the Junior Engineer in charge of track maintenance and instituted an inquiry committee.
While most Metro tracks are ballast-less, DMRC opted for conventional ballast tracks for two stretches near Shahdara (3 km) and Yamuna Bank (4 km), apart from all its train depots. In both these areas, the ballast track starts where the track crosses river Yamuna and enters East Delhi.
The Indian Railways uses ballast track across its nationwide rail network.
We have used conventional ballast tracks wherever the train travels at ground level, said Kumar Keshav, Director (Projects) of DMRC.
Ballasts are flexible and keeps moving, which gives them a slight spring action. We carry out regular maintenance of the tracks. The ballast track was last compacted when the Yamuna Bank station opened in May.
The real cause behind the incident would only come to light when the inquiry committee submits its report, said DMRC spokesman Anuj Dayal.
Ballasts provide resilience to the wheels but it has to kept free from waterlogging and excess sinkage. During heavy rain, ballasts may suffer sinkage when certain stretches of the tracks may get a bit out of the line, said a senior Indian Railway engineer on condition of anonymity, as he is not authorised to talk to the media.
Last edited by R511013 on Tue Sep 15, 2009 5:50 am; edited 1 time in total
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 5:48 am Edit/Delete this postBack to top
Railways Expert Committee submits report to Mamata
New Delhi, Sep 14 : The expert committee, set up by Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee, to explore ways to promote partnership between the railways and industries, today submitted its first phase report to her.
The report was submitted by Committee chairman Amit Mitra, also the secretary-general of the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
Addressing mediapersons, the Railways Minister said the first phase of the report, in which the main emphasis was on maintaining the time frame for the execution of the projects, was submitted in a span of just 30 days.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mitra, said in the report, 12 stations had been identified which would be developed as multifunctional stations and would be followed by next 20 stations. All together 64 stations had been identified, which would be converted into multifunctional ones.
He said the Railway Land Development Bank has already entered into an agreement with IRCON for the implementation of projects for this purpose.
He said the committee in its report has submitted a list of 50 places which would be developed into world class railway stations.
Ms Banerjee said due to the shortage of coaches there is a delay in launching Duranto trains and will be launched on September 18 from Chennai to Delhi. The Duranto train between Sialdha and New Delhi will be launched thereafter.
The Duranto trains will take two hours less than the Rajdhani Express to reach their respective destinations at a lesser fare. The fare of the train will also include the cost of meals.
She also announced a special Science train from October 2, which will exhibit the country's scientific achievements. The train, to be launched in cooperation with the Ministry of Science and Technology, will start from Gandhidham in Gujarat and will cover all the states and important places.
Similarly, the Railways will also launch a Commonwealth Games train in November, which will move into each states and would highlight about sports. The train will be on the run for one year. The train will be run in cooperation with the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
--UNI
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 09/15/2009 : 11:15:17
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The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation on Tuesday announced that it has decided to blacklist M/s Arch Consultancy Services Private Limited for a period of five years for its role in furnishing advice to the Corporation about the cracks in the cantilever pillar at Jamrudpur in South Delhi that collapsed on July 12 this year.
According to a DMRC official, after detailed examination of the process of design, contract, enquiry report findings, memorandum of charges and replies furnished by Arch Consultancy, the Corporation decided that the company and their sister concerns/partners have worked to the detriment of DMRC interests. The company has also been accused of gross misconduct.
The official said the company will be blacklisted for a minimum period of five years from doing any business with DMRC or as DDC (Detailed Design Consultants) through any contractor working under DMRC. Arch Consultancy will be removed from all running contracts. Other engineering organisations dealing in similar design works will be informed of this decision by DMRC, the official said.
Following the inquiry into the Jamrudpur incident that left seven dead, the DMRC had issued a show-cause notice to Gammon India asking why it should not be blacklisted from contracts for two years, it had also debarred the structural consultant (Tandon Consultants) for two years for not giving the right advice to DMRC. Two deputy chief engineers were also placed under suspension and a major penalty charge-sheet was drawn up against chief engineer (design). The expatriate consultant of General Consultants, directly responsible for ensuring quality of work, was demobilised and replaced.
The probe conducted by a team headed by IIT-Delhi professor A. K. Nagpal had indicated that the accident was caused by serious deficiency in the design of the cantilever arm and that the concrete did not have adequate strength probably due to lack of (its) adequate curing.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 09/15/2009 : 20:12:39
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DMRC board meets to fix mishap responsibility
TNN 16 September 2009, 12:05am IST
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) may face some tough questions on safety issues and recurring accidents, including the latest derailment, at the board meeting scheduled for Wednesday.
The urban development ministry, which is a 50% partner in DMRC, has shown concern that recurring accidents not only dent the image of Delhi Metro but also shake public confidence in the system.
As reported by TOI, urban development secretary M Ramachandran, who is also the chairman of DMRC, said Sunday's derailment of a metro train is on the agenda of the meeting.
There is concern that the derailment occurred a few months after the line came into operation leading to the question whether the work had been completed in haste. Though an inquiry is awaited, there is a view that heavy rains may have disturbed the sub-surface material. This could indicate that the tracks were not adequately supported.
It is felt that derailments on a metro system should be very rare as they are fully insulated from any outside contact unlike an Indian Railways track running through the countryside. Even in the case of design problems with pillars, the stress and vibrations caused by the movement of trains should have been factored in.
"The incident (derailment) has been taken up seriously. Safety issues will be raised in the meeting on Wednesday. This is the second time a derailment is taking place. So the board will discuss this issue," Ramachandran said. Some experts feel that the involvement of railway ministry -- the repository of best experts -- would help sort out technical matters.
The board, which will discuss issues related to safety on the transport system, will also deliberate on fixing responsibility.
The board meeting has been called in the wake of yet another mishap involving Delhi Metro within a month. The accident comes exactly a month after a Metro train with 34 passengers on board derailed at the Dwarka station.
Apart from evaluating measures taken by the Metro management after the last accident, the board will also look into the causes behind Sunday's accident. "Why did a similar accident take place? Was responsibility for the last accident fixed and were the guilty punished? The board will look into all these aspects," Ramachandran said.
The board will also review improvements made after the last accident.
"DMRC has been operating Metro rail in the Capital since 2002 and has had a good record on safety and security fronts. It is time to know what has gone wrong," UD secretary said.
UD minister S Jaipal Reddy, however, played down Sunday's accident. "Small accidents like this happen. These are being exaggerated. Delhi Metro is a magnificent project the country is proud of."
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 09/16/2009 : 09:33:28
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elhi Metro: Not a good design
http://www.hardnewsmedia.com/2009/09/3237
DMRC blacklisted firm after enquiry revealed faulty design led to Metro mishap at Zamrudpur Sadiq Naqvi Delhi
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Tuesday blacklisted Arch Consultancy Services for faulty design that led to the July 12 incident at Zamrudpur.
After detailed examination of the process of design, contract and findings of the enquiry report and analysis of replies furnished by Arch Consultants, DMRC took the decision. "M/s Arch Consultancy Services Pvt. Ltd. (and their sister concerns/ partners) having worked to the detriment of the interest of DMRC and having grossly misconducted, shall be blacklisted for a period of minimum 5
years from doing any business with DMRC or as DDC (Detailed Design Consultants) through any contractor working under DMRC," the metro spokesperson said.
Moreover, they will also be removed from all running contracts. The spokesperson added that all the other engineering organisations dealing in similar design works will be informed of this decision by DMRC. Arch Consultants could not be contacted.
Under pressure to meet deadlines, the DMRC is reportedly cutting corners and compromising on safety. The enquiry committee setup to investigate the incident noted that collapse of drawings followed for construction of the concrete girder resting on Pier-67 were just "advance copies" which were "not authenticated by DMRC's design section". Moreover "on occasion, work commences without 'Good for
Construction' signed drawings to avoid delay in construction; at a later the project team authenticates the calculations/drawings with DMRC's designers.
In case of Pier-67, authenticated designs are yet to be finalised". The report also noted that "the concrete fails to meet the strength criterion by a wide margin".
The members of the committee included Dr AK Nagpal, professor, department of civil engineering at IIT Delhi; Dr PR Bose, professor at Delhi College of Engineering; Steve Lowry, project director, general design (DMRC); and DMRC
design head Rajan Kataria. However, Kataria was later removed from the
committee.
The report also noted that seismic analysis which is a mandatory provision to
improve the performance of bridges during earthquakes in seismic zones IV and V
was never done by the DMRC on the viaduct.
However, Gammon officials denied the matter and said they are still to receive a
written or verbal official communication from the DMRC. A legal reply to the
DMRC's showcase notice was sent in the last week of August, but they are yet to
receive an official communication from DMRC, said a senior official from Gammon.
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Delhi metro- Latest news
