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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
 Posted - 11/22/2008 : 03:25:35
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Metro man Sreedharan putting India on fast track
NEW DELHI: Eleven years ago, Delhi’s chief secretary, PV Jayakrishnan, was in a bind. The search committee set up to find a managing director for the
proposed Delhi Metro was making no headway.
Set a deadline of 120 days to find a man for the job or forgo the Japanese loan of Rs 6,000 crore for the project, Jayakrishnan made frantic calls to his old time friend E Sreedharan, with whom he had closely worked for the Konkan Railway project.
Mr Sreedharan, who was working on the last leg of the Konkan project as part of a special assignment, was invited to join the search committee. Little did he know that a trip to Delhi to help an old associate would mark the beginning of a new chapter in his life. After all, at 66, Sreedharan was well past retirement age and was looking forward to pursue other interests once the Konkan Railway was completed.
The then Lt Governor of Delhi Tejendra Khanna asked Sreedharan to take over the Delhi Metro project immediately. That was a tall order indeed as the Konkan Railway was in its final phase and Sreedharan needed to monitor it personally to meet the deadline. Little wonder that he was reluctant to take up the new responsibility.
Naturally, the bureaucracy was not happy with the Delhi government’s decision to appoint Sreedharan as MD of the Metro project but Sreedharan had some dedicated backers as well. His ability to provide on-site innovative solutions and take up challenges was by then almost folklore in railway corridors. The then cabinet secretary TSR Subramaniam is understood to have said,
“If the country can have a prime minister (Narasimha Rao) at 70, Delhi Metro can surely have a 66-year-old MD.”
Sreedharan is often referred to as India’s metro man as he has rewritten India’s urban transport script. His story of developing metrorail systems in India started almost 42 years ago in 1966 when he was selected by the railways as India’s candidate for the Colombo plan, a fellowship for engineers, offered by the British government.
Sreedharan, who rushes from country to country if not city to city creating networks for people to move faster, got his first lesson on underground trains when he worked on the Victoria line in London as part of his fellowship.
Sreedharan was one of the founding members of the Kolkata metro project in 1970 and was involved with the designing and planning in the initial four years. So Sreedharan’s “innovative skills” to find local solutions at project sites are now almost textbook references for any bright rail engineer.
Born in Chattanur, a small village near Palakkad in Kerala, Sreedharan was a topper throughout. “The railway service was my first choice. Those days, railways was the first choice for any bright engineer and I was no different. It was challenging and prestigious,” says Sreedharan.
It didn’t take long for the challenge to unfold. In 1963, disaster struck the Rameshwaram island when tidal waves washed away the Pamban bridge connecting it with mainland Tamil Nadu. A passenger train was swept away, killing hundreds of people.
The Southern Railway decided to restore the bridge and set a target of six months. General manager BC Ganguly advanced the deadline by three months and the Railway Board assigned the task to a 31-year-old executive engineer, Sreedharan. It was a tough task as it was an old bridge, built by the British in late-19th century, with 146 spans and a scherzer, a steel girder which opens up for large vessels to pass under the bridge.
Sreedharan took up the challenge and advanced the deadline by a month, making the task tougher. He made the bridge functional in 46 days. Instead of waiting for fresh rail girders to be transported from various parts of India, Sreedharan used pontoon cranes to lift out the girders from the seabed.
“It was tough and needed grit. We started by lifting one girder in three days. By the last day we were moving seven girders per day,” he says with a nostalgic smile. “The bridge is operational even today and holds a special corner in my thoughts. I travelled back to Rameshwaram along with my grandchildren a few years back, just to relive those moments which had a great bearing on my career,” Sreedharan says.
It’s no surprise that he doesn’t have much of a social life. “Once in a while I go to classical music concerts,” he says. He also makes it a point to visit Kerala to meet relatives. “Very often, he travels by lower class,” says a colleague. A favourite journey is, of course, through the Konkan rail stretch, which he can watch with proprietary pride.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2008 : 09:33:38
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A Museum to Mark the Success of Delhi Metro Options
1
To celebrate the success and to mark the ten years of commencement
of construction of Delhi metro, a museum tracing its history will
soon be set up on one of its station premises, showcasing the origin
and memorable moments during the construction of one of the most
ambitious Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) of modern India.
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) spokesperson Anuj Dayal
said, "The metro museum will house photographs, newspaper archives,
models of the trains, curios, books and audio-visual films
explaining the history of Delhi Metro."
Construction work for the museum has already begun at the Patel
Chowk station. The site was chosen because as Dayal stated, "There
is a parking facility available at the station and it is also
centrally located. Considering its accessibility, we chose this
station." The inauguration is said to be in a month's time.
Earlier, there were reports in the media, claiming that DMRC is in
consultation with the Archaeological Survey of India for the
construction of the heritage museum at the Qutub Minar metro
station.
However, Dayal stated, "All planning and construction are being
handled by DMRC and ASI has nothing to do with the project." Further
informing all that, "We are looking at setting up a bigger museum at
some other location. We have already applied to the government for
land."
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 12/11/2008 : 18:40:04
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DMRC launches Metro Citizens’ Forum
Staff Reporter
Another attempt to manage crowds and step up security
NEW DELHI: They tried the carrot-and-stick policy, but with Delhi’s daily commuters failing to fall in line, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation is now banking on the power of persuasion. Making another attempt at managing crowds and also stepping up security, the DMRC is reaching out to people to volunteer and help in maintenance of decorum.
On Wednesday the DMRC launched an initiative called the Metro Citizens’ Forum, where citizens are invited to join as volunteers and help in instilling better behaviour among Metro users.
“Under the new initiative, volunteers from the travelling public can join the Delhi Metro and work towards making the system more commuter-friendly. The Metro Citizens’ Forum volunteers would act as wardens and look into various issues such as providing seats to women and the elderly, preventing squatting and playing loud music on trains, ensuring more discipline in the stations,” said DMRC spokesperson Anuj Dayal.
He said volunteers would also help in ensuring safety of people and the premises. “If they find an unclaimed object or see any suspicious movement, they will know exactly what to do,” said Mr. Dayal.
The Forum will come in handy to manage crowds, expected to go up to 20 lakh a day after Phase II becomes operational. Posters inviting the commuters to join the Forum have been posted at all the stations. Those interested can fill out a simple form. “The position is non-remunerative. We will scrutinise the forms and assess the eligibility of the applicants for the task,” said Mr. Dayal. While there are no specific qualifications required for the job, the DMRC holds the right to reject applications.
“We are targeting 200 people in the first lot. They will be trained and equipped with the basic knowledge of how the Metro functions and what needs to done in case of an exigency,” said Mr. Dayal.
The volunteers get to choose their working hours and the location. “They will be trained in important aspects like customer orientation, etiquettes, ticketing procedures, boarding and de-boarding from trains, security mechanism within the Metro and cleanliness,” explained Mr. Dayal. The DMRC has in the past deputed flying squads to check misconduct and breach of rules. “The flying squads conducted surprise checks on 23 days from July to December and caught 18,833 people flouting the norms. The fines collected by the DMRC on account of offences like spitting, drunkenness, bad behaviour and squatting has been Rs.14,650.”
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 12/21/2008 : 04:45:16
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DMRC gets award for energy conservation Options
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20081215/delhi.htm#15
New Delhi, December
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) received an award from the
ministry of
power for adopting measures which helped in conserving energy. These
measures
include utilization of regenerated energy during braking for train
airconditioning and lighting, management of lighting in stations and
tunnels,
use of solar energy in parking lots, optimization of airconditioning
in trains and stations.
DMRC director (Electrical), Satish Kumar received the award from union
minister
of power Sushil Kumar Shinde at a function today. The DMRC has already
received
ISO 14001 and OHSAS (Organisation Health and Safety Assessment
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 12/23/2008 : 18:34:04
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The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has started a 24-hour online customer care cell for its commuters to provide speedy solutions to public queries and complaints.
Commuters can now call on number 128128 to register their complaints and suggestions. The number has been provided with caller ID and recording facility.
The officials concerned are immediately informed about the complaint to ensure that a quick solution is provided to the same.
“The online customer care cell has been opened at Delhi Metro’s Shastri Park depot and can answer calls pertaining to train timings, feeder bus services, security and safety issues, Metro routes,” said chief public relations officer of the DMRC Anuj Dayal.
He said the service will benefit the physically-challenged commuters who can call on this number and seek assistance from the Metro staff by informing in advance which Metro station they would reach so that they can be helped.
The Delhi Metro provides wheelchair facility for the old and physically-challenged commuters at all Metro stations.
“Mobile users and callers even residing outside Delhi can avail the service by calling on the number 011-128128. However, the calls made on this service are not toll free,” said Mr. Dayal.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 12/30/2008 : 07:20:59
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'Delhi Metro' exhibition from January 1
New Delhi (PTI): Do you know that Chawri Bazar is the deepest station of Delhi Metro and second deepest in the world?
One can get to know more about many of these interesting facts related to one of the world's largest metro system at the 'Delhi Metro' exhibition at the Patel Chowk station here to be opened for public on January 1.
The museum traces the genesis of the Delhi Metro which took 32 years to reach the operational stage from the drawing boards and displays historical photographs and the events of importance related to the system.
"The museum has an extensive section on the construction of the Metro and the problems encountered during the process, including the story behind the construction of technological marvels such as the Chawri Bazar station," DMRC Chief Public Relations Officer Anuj Dayal told reporters during a media preview.
Chawri Bazar station is the second deepest Metro system in the world with a total depth of 25m with the underground platform 21m deep. It is also the only station in the entire Metro system that is built inside a tunnel.
Aamir, a student from the US' Warton School of Management, who is on visit to India to study about the Delhi Metro, said "I am jealous of Delhi Metro. Even New York Metro doesn't have this kind of a system. I hope one day we will be able to get this kind of a system."
Shaloni, a 10-year-old girl and daughter of a metro official, will be the mascot of the Delhi Metro.
Metro museums can be found only in a few European, U.S. and Japanese cities, but the one at Delhi Metro was set up in a short duration of two months.
"We thought it is the time for us to preserve the history of Delhi Metro. Though DMRC is not so old, still we need to preserve history. This is the first Metro Museum worldwide in an operational metro station. We would like to expand it," Dayal, who is also the director of the museum, said.
An exact replica of the metro train which was designed in Korea, a "tooth" taken from a tunnel boring machine, soil samples collected from around the city and helmets of different colours used at construction sites also form part of the museum.
The technological features of the Metro System such as the automatic train control system, automatic fare collection system, round-the-clock activities of various departments, features friendly for the physically challenged are described in the Museum.
The Museum also has two touch screen computers that play the DMRC corporate movie and animations describing the way tunnel boring machines and launching girders used in elevated construction work.
It also has an account of the first day of Metro's operation when about 1.2 million people queued up for a ride at six stations.
Those who get a ticket to travel on the metro will be able to view the exhibition
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 01/07/2009 : 20:06:14
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Delhi Metro’s airport link sets a new trend
Smriti Kak Ramachandran
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It has inspired Bangalore and Hyderabad to replicate the concept
The airport link is scheduled for an October 2010 opening
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NEW DELHI: The Delhi Metro’s Airport Express Link, which will have trains zipping at a speed of 135 km an hour, has inspired Bangalore and Hyderabad to replicate the concept. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has submitted the detailed project reports for both the States hoping to have similar links.
“It is for the first time in this country that the metro will be running at a high speed of 135 km. The airport link has set a trend and we have been drafting the DPRs for other States wishing to have similar links,” said DMRC spokesperson Anuj Dayal. The airport link, which is scheduled for an October 2010 opening, will have a total of six stations along the entire line.
“Civil work is 75-80 per cent complete and four tunnel boring machines will be used on the stretch. The first two will be used at New Delhi railway station and will be launched by the end of July. Work has also started in all the stations,” said Mr. Dayal.
Starting from the New Delhi railway station, the line will pass through Shivaji Stadium, Dhaula Kuan and National Highway-8 and reach the airport and from thereon it will go to Dwarka Sector 21.
“There will be five underground stations at New Delhi railway station, Shivaji Stadium, NH-8, IGI Airport and Dwarka Sector 21. Only the Dhaula Kuan station will be elevated. Baggage check-in facility will be allowed at New Delhi railway station and Shivaji Stadium,” said Mr. Dayal.
While civil work is being done by DMRC, the rolling stock, signalling, telecom and track laying work is being done by Reliance Consortium, which includes Reliance Energy and CAF.
“The fares along this line will also be decided by the consortium, though tentatively it is Rs.150 from New Delhi to IGI Airport and Rs.180 till Dwarka. Parking facilities will be available at Shivaji Stadium and New Delhi station,” the spokesperson said. “The Dwarka Sector 21 station will be the terminal station for Line 3 well as the Airport Express Link,” he added.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2009 : 12:12:49
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Plea for loos in Metro
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Delhi/Plea_for_loos_in_Metro/articleshow/3964822.cms
12 Jan 2009, 0157 hrs IST
NEW DELHI: A petition against the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and the
state government, seeking provision of drinking water and toilet
facilities for commuters in Metro trains, is likely to be taken up by Delhi HC
for hearing next week.
Filed by an NGO Voice of India the writ petition states it is approaching HC
after exhausting all other avenues of repeated requests to both DMRC and the
government. It claims that in December 2007, the organization had sent a
representation to the Delhi government and the DMRC seeking basic facilities in
trains run by it but got no satisfactory reply.
Highlighting the lack of toilet facility in the train, besides drinking water
facility for commuters, the petitioner says HC needs to intervene for benefit of
those who daily commute by train. Seeking the DMRC to provide these facilities
within two months time, the petitioner alleged that the corporation has failed
to make special sitting arrangements for the senior citizens.
Besides, the NGO also claims there are loopholes in the security arrangements at
the Metro station and wants HC to have a look at these. It states "there is
absence of baggage screening or scanning machines, the metal detecting
wooden-frames through which a traveller passes before reaching a platform are
also defective.''
The petitioner also sought the court to constitute a committee in the form of
nodal agency to look into the necessary facilities to be provided to the
commuters in Metro trains.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2009 : 23:07:18
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Metro takes a plunge on way to IGI
EW DELHI: After constructing the second deepest Metro station in the world at Chawri Bazaar, a good 25 metres below the surface, Delhi Metro is
bracing up to perform yet another engineering marvel. The tunnel for the Airport Express Line is going under the existing Rajeev Chowk metro station at a depth of 40 metres. The lowest point of Delhi Metro so far, constructing the tunnel is going to be a huge challenge for Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
Like Chawri Bazaar, the new tunnel will also be constructed using a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) and will be equivalent to about 12 stories under the road level. The tracks for the high-speed link will come up under the existing station area as well as tracks for existing Line 3 (Dwarka to Indraprastha) and Line 2 (Central Secretariat to Vishwavidyalaya).
"The tunnel had to be constructed at such a depth because we had to go under the foundation of the existing Metro station. At such low levels, the underground water pressure is very strong and can even blow up an entire station. A good foundation is created with deep tension piles to secure it. One needed to ensure that the tunnel doesn't disturb this,'' said a DMRC spokesperson.
The process will be monitored round the clock and several sophisticated guages and gadgetry is being installed on the tracks of the two existing Metro Lines, the Rajeev Chowk station, and buildings in CP to ensure that there is no settlement. Even the TBM being used to drill at such a depth is differently designed to be able to withstand the high underground pressures. The TBMs have got retractable cutter heads which automatically change for rock and soil cutting. The tunnel will maintain a depth of 40 metres for a stretch of about 250 metres and the construction will take about a month.
The tunnel also passes directly under several heritage structures including Minto Bridge, Gol Dak Khana and old buildings of Connaught Place, which has posed another challenge before engineers. As the TBM cuts through soil and rock under the surface, the corporation needs to ensure that the vibrations don't cause any cracks or disfigurement in the heritage structures.
For this, each of these buildings will also be fitted with gauges and crack meters. The tunnelling process has already been completed successfully under Minto bridge on January 12 this year without any impact on the structure, which is about 100 years old. DMRC had to obtain a clearance from the Commissioner of Railway Safety before initiating the tunnelling process under it. The tunnel here is at a depth of about 25 metres.
The tunnelling process for the stretch has already started and two TBMs have been lowered from shafts created near New Delhi station. The first tunnel is ready uptil the Minto Road-Connaught Circus intersection. Over the next month, it will drill below the heritage structures of Connaught Place and reach the deepest point by March. "The entire tunnelling process will be complete by August this year,'' the spokesperson added.
Modelled on the lines of London's popular Heathrow Express, the Airport Express Line will start at New Delhi Railway Station and go to Dwarka via IGI airport. On the way, there will be stops at Shivaji Terminus, Dhaula Kuan and National Highway-8. The new service will be operational by July 2010 and promises a superfast ride from CP to IGI, in just 18 minutes. The trains will be different from the existing Delhi Metro ones, with five star facilities. The fare has been fixed at a maximum of Rs 150 till IGI and an additional Rs 30 to Dwarka, with a provision for monthly passes for airline staff and frequent fliers. This is the first Delhi Metro line to come up on a PPP model.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 01/29/2009 : 06:55:02
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The Government proposes to bring a bill namely The Delhi Metro Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2009 to amend the Delhi Metro (Operation & Maintenance) Act, 2002 and the Metro Railways (Construction of Works) Act, 1978.
The requirement to move this bill is that without a proper legal framework the construction work of extension to Gurgaon and Noida can be stalled / stopped any time or legally challenged leading to complications. Since these extensions are to be completed before the Commonwealth Games, 2010, there is an urgency to provide an appropriate legal cover for these extensions. As all the Metro projects involve huge capital investment, any delay in execution of these projects can lead to huge time and cost overruns and ultimately loss to the State / National Exchequer. The growing urbanisation and congestion on roads, providing public transport is a priority area of the Government.
The proposed bill would extend the jurisdiction of the aforesaid Acts to NCR of Delhi. The Delhi Metro (Operation & Maintenance) Act, 2002 is proposed to be amended so as -
i) to extend its provisions to the National Capital Region.
ii) to empower the Metro Railway Administration to provide for other transport services for the purpose of facilitating the carriage of passengers or to provide integrated transport services;
iii) to place the Commissioners of Metro Railway Safety under the administrative control of the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety;
iv) to provide that the Commissioner shall be deemed to be Civil Court for the purposes of section 121 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, also.
The Cabinet has approved today the proposed bill of The Delhi Metro Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2009.
To facilitate construction of Metro Railway in Delhi, the Metro Railways (Construction of Works) Act, 1978 was enacted by Parliament to facilitate construction work of Kolkata Metro Railways, was extended to National Capital Territory of Delhi vide Notification dated 5.6.2000. Since there was no legislation available for operation and maintenance of Metro Railways in Delhi, the Parliament enacted the Delhi Metro Railways (Operation & Maintenance) Act, 2002 to facilitate operation and maintenance of Delhi Metro.
Many State Governments have opted for setting up of high capacity Metro Rail System in their States to meet their growing urban transport demand. On their requests, Metro Rail System have already been approved by Government of India for Bangalore on 27.4.2006 and its extension to Noida and Gurgaon on 17.10.2006. The construction has already begun at these places. Besides this, the Metro System is at different stages of consideration in cities of Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai etc. The management of such system is proposed through a Government owned company on the model of DMRC. The extensions to Gurgaon and Noida are being implemented by DMRC but at present there is no legal cover for these extensions. Since these extensions are to be completed before October, 2010 in view of Commonwealth Games and the Bangalore Metro is also to be provided proper legal cover, it is considered necessary to urgently provide an appropriate legal cover for development, construction, operation and maintenance of Metro Railways in various cities in India.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 02/03/2009 : 18:28:47
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Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Wednesday, Feb 04, 2009
Delhi Metro rail network adds new 6.36 km-link
Project completed 9 months ahead of schedule, 40 km more to be added.
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One of the five stations in the link inaugurated today has been built on a build-operate-transfer basis by real estate player Parsvnath Developers.
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Our Bureau
New Delhi, Feb 3 Another 6.36 km of new rail link was added to Delhi Metro’s existing rail network here on Tuesday taking the total length of operating metro rail in the city to 74.5 km.
The new link – Vishwavidyalaya to Jahangirpuri – is the second metro line of Delhi Metro’s Phase-II extension, which is being opened to the public nine months ahead of its target launch date.
“The cost of constructing the 6.36 km of new metro link is about Rs 790 crore.
This includes construction cost of about Rs 180 crore for the five new stations as well,” Mr Vijay Anand, Director (Projects), Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said.
“In 2009, DMRC will add another 40 km of metro network in the National Capital Region,” said Mr E. Sreedharan, Managing Director, at a press conference.
This includes the Inderlok – Mundka; Indraprastha - Noida Sector 32; and Yamuna Bank-Anand Vihar ISBT links
Station built on BoT
One of the five stations in the link inaugurated today has been built on a build-operate-transfer (BoT) basis by real estate player Parsvnath Developers.
“For getting the commercial rights to build a mall and operate it for 30 years in the Azadpur metro station, Parsvnath built the metro station at its own costs, and will also pay an agreed-upon amount to DMRC,” said Mr Mangu Singh, Director (Works), DMRC.
The company will pay Rs 16 crore to DMRC upfront and another Rs 2 crore or so every year for the 30-year period.
DMRC is currently working on Phase-II expansion which envisages building 125 km of metro rail network. The new link was inaugurated by the Delhi Chief Minister, Ms Sheila Dik****.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 02/03/2009 : 19:00:46
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New guidelines will help Delhi Metro use land to raise cash
4 Feb 2009, 0130 hrs IST, Mahendra Kumar Singh , TNN
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NEW DELHI: The Centre has cleared regulations to govern property development taken up by Delhi Metro with the twin objective of avoiding misuse of
land allotted for "public purpose" and to facilitate revenue generation through commercial use of land in the Capital.
A group of ministers (GoM) last week cleared detailed guidelines paving the way for involving private players in land development across Metro corridors and use of developed land for commercial purposes to raise resources.
Urban development secretary M Ramachandran told TOI, "The property development guidelines will help Delhi Metro to use land for commercial purposes through public-private parternership."
Sources present in the meeting said the detailed regulations also provide safeguards against misuse of land allotted to Delhi Metro for public purpose.
The high-powered ministerial panel, however, asked DMRC not to involve private parties for developing prime land for residential purposes as far as possible. Sources said it was pointed out that use of prime land for residential purpose was least profit-making so Delhi Metro was advised to stay away from it.
The proposal came after urban development ministry was taken by surprise with DMRC allowing a private developer to build a residential colony on a huge chunk of land in north Delhi. "The proposal was cleared by DMRC and UD ministry was not consulted on the issue," an official said.
As a safeguard, the ministerial panel decided that the property would be given to private players only on leasehold basis and it would revert to the government on expiry of the lease period.
In another safeguard, the guidelines suggest that all decisions related to property development will be taken up by the board involving civic agencies and whose chairman is urban development secretary.
The proposal is significant considering that land allotment authorities — DDA, L&DO, MCD, NDMC — have been raising objections that DMRC is using the property allotted for public purpose for commercial use involving private parties.
"City authorities which provide land to DMRC for Metro corridors discouraged Delhi Metro from developing the property for commercial purposes which is a major source of revenue," said an official.
Delhi Metro pleaded for permission to use property allotted to it for commercial use to meet expenditure. According to sources, DMRC raises around 20-30% of its resources from non-revenue sources which include commercial use of land.
"After the new policy comes into force, civic agencies will facilitate DMRC in land development for commercial purposes," Ramachandran said.
"L&DO was insisting that its mandate is to give land only for public purpose. With new guidelines, this bottleneck has been removed," said an official.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 02/04/2009 : 02:22:05
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DMRC : Metro goes beyond University http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/04/stories/2009020450610200.htm
Sheila flags off first run nine months ahead of schedule
NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Sheila Dik**** flagged off the inaugural
run of the Delhi Metro railway's Vishwavidyalaya-Jehangirpuri line
on Tuesday, nine months ahead of schedule.
Inaugurating the 6.36-km stretch that takes the Delhi Metro beyond
Delhi University, she assured that the metro would soon reach Badli,
one of the important industrial areas of the Capital. "The MLA from
Badli has been pressing for the metro railway's expansion to his
area and I have relayed this to E. Sreedharan (Managing Director of
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) to ensure that in the third phase the
metro reaches Badli," Ms. Dik**** said.
Appreciating the work put in by the DMRC in completing the work
ahead of time, Ms. Dik**** said other government departments must
emulate the metro work culture. The metro, she added, was an example
of what can be achieved if there is a dedicated team and governments
work in synergy.
Listing the benefits of the rapid transit system, she credited the
metro for offering a faster, easier commute and also an environment-
friendly mode of transport.
"It is a clean and efficient mode of transport that is constantly
expanding. We are sure that by 2010 there will be no important areas
left in the Capital without the metro. And with the metro going to
congested places like Chawri Bazar, it has significantly reduced the
parking problems in such areas," the Chief Minister said.
Referring to the integrated transport system that is currently being
worked upon, she said efforts were on to ensure trouble-free journey
for commuters wishing to use public transport.
"Work related to construction of flyovers and foot-over bridges has
begun and we are planning an integrated transport system that will
be an example for the whole world," she said.
Dr. Sreedharan said his team was gearing up to meet the deadlines
set for the upcoming lines.
"In this calendar year alone we will add 40 km to the existing
network. We have the Inderlok-Mundka link coming up in September,
the Indraprastha-Noida link in October, and the Yamuna Bank-Anand
Vihar line scheduled for a December inaugural," he said.
The new line, which will open to the public on Wednesday, will cater
to residents of Maurice Nagar, Kingsway Camp, Derawal Nagar,
Gujranwala, Malka Ganj, Ashok Vihar and Narela. There are five
stations along this line.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 02/05/2009 : 19:41:43
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NEW DELHI: An “overwhelming” public response to their scheme of offering bicycles to passengers on rent at the Vishwavidyayala station has encouraged the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to replicate the model at three others stations in the Capital.
On Thursday, the DMRC extended the “rent a bicycle” scheme to the Patel Chowk, Indraprastha and Pragati Maidan stations.
The scheme is aimed mainly at office-goers, tourists and students who use the metro rail.
“While the bicycle rental facility at Vishwavidyayala is mainly used by students of Delhi University, the facility at Pragati Maidan, Indraprastha and Patel Chowk is expected to help tourists and officer-goers whose place of work is situated at a short distance from the metro stations,” said DMRC spokesperson Anuj Dayal.
These three new “rent a bicycle” facilities will have ten bicycles each, six for men and four for women.
The numbers will be increased depending on the response and requirement.
“Commuters will have to provide a photo identity proof for availing themselves of the facility. All the rules and regulations related to the service will be put on display at all the metro cycle stands,” said Mr. Dayal.
The DMRC had launched the scheme at the Vishwavidyayala station on October 2007 with just seven bicycles. “The scheme has proved to be a success and now we have about 25 bicycles at that stand and about 50-60 people availing themselves of the facility every day,” said Mr. Dayal, referring to the popularity of the scheme among students.
He said the concept would be extended to other stations depending on the potential for the scheme in other areas as well. “It is an eco-friendly mode of transport and the concept is already popular abroad. We are trying to encourage more people to opt for this clean mode of transport.”
Smart card holders can park their bicycles free of cost at the cycle stands, while other commuters will have to pay Rs.2. Bicycles can be hired at the rate of Rs.10 for four hours.
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S.ravi
Advanced Member
India
4205 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2009 : 01:37:28
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DMRC probes Friday accident, cops register case
8 Feb 2009, 0137 hrs IST, TNN
NEW DELHI: A day after a man's hand got stuck in the train doors, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has ordered a high-level inquiry into the
incident. The inquiry committee will come up with recommendations on how such incidents can be prevented in the future.
The committee is comprised of DMRC's general manager (operations), additional general manager (rolling stock) and advisor (traffic), who have been briefed by managing director E Sreedharan to "go into the details of the incident and to come up with recommendations to prevent such incidents in the future''.
Meanwhile, the police have registered a case of negligence in the matter against unknown persons and are carrying out their own investigation. "No one has been arrested so far. We will question those concerned with the incident and then take further action,'' said a senior police official.
Every train operator's cabin is fitted with monitors which display live CCTV images of the side of the train where doors open. When asked why the train operator didn't notice the victim, DMRC spokesperson said the platform was very crowded at the time of the incident and even if the driver had spotted the victim, Satender Kumar Jaiswal (35), his hands wouldn't have been visible.
Based on preliminary reports, DMRC officials have ascertained that there were obstructions while the door was being closed because the crowd was blocking the entry. "The door detected the blockage twice and opened. On the third attempt, while Jaiswal was pushing people inside the coach to clear the door way, he was pushed from behind by the crowd and his fingers got stuck in the closing door. Since his fingers were less than 15mm, the sensors in the door didn't detect them and it shut,'' said a DMRC spokesperson.
The incident took place around 7.30pm on Friday at Rajeev Chowk Metro station where Jaiswal's fingers got stuck in the Metro door and he hung from the side of the train for a distance of one kilometre till it reached the next stop at New Delhi station.
for box: Advisory on what commuters can do in such a situation
Every Delhi Metro coach has a communication button inside the train which can be used to communicate with the train operator. Instead of panicking, those present inside the train can inform the driver in case of an emergency. DMRC, meanwhile, has advised commuters to listen to announcements and stand clear off the doors when asked to.
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Delhi metro- Latest news
