INDIA

[Administrator]

Feasibility study for Mumbai - Ahmedabad high speed line agreed

10 Oct 2013



A memorandum of understanding agreeing to undertake a joint feasibility study for a Mumbai - Ahmedabad high speed line was signed by the Ministry of Railways and Japan International Cooperation Agency on October 7.

Expected to cost Rs630bn, the line would be around 540 km long and suitable for speeds of 300 to 350 km/h. This could cut journey times to around 3 h, compared to 8 h on the current 492 km route.

In May the Indian and Japanese prime ministers agreed to an equal split of the cost of the ¥500m study, which is expected to take 18 months. Consultants are to be invited to tender shortly, with the aim of work getting underway by the end of the year. The scope would include traffic forecasts, alignment surveys and comparisons of possible technologies.

A joint monitoring committee is to be established, comprising representatives of the Indian and Japanese government bodies.

source: RG

[Administrator]

Work starts on Jaipur metro Phase IB

16 Oct 2013

Work on Phase IB of the Jaipur metro started on October 1. The short extension from Chandpole to Badi Chaupar will include 1·4 km of bored tunnel and 400 m of cut-and-cover tunnel. The Indian office of Taiwanese company Continental Engineering Corp is to undertake this work, as well as design and construction of two underground stations, under a Rs5·07bn, 36-month contract.

This follows the start of test running on a 2·4 km section of Phase IA between Mansarovar and Shyam Nagar. Full service on the Mansarovar – Chandpole section of the Green Line is expected to begin in late 2013 or early 2014.

The standard gauge line electrified at 25 kV will have a fleet of 10 four-car trainsets supplied by BEML under a Rs3·18bn contract awarded in 2011.

source: RG