Japan completes feasibility study of Myanmar rail project

June 17, 2013

Utpal Bhaskar

(There is also a plan to establish a rail link between India and Myanmar, which will join Jiribam, Assam in India with Kalay in Myanmar. Photo: Ramesh Pathania/Mint)

Nay Pyi Taw/Yangon: Japan has completed a feasibility study on the proposed $1.7 billion modernization of the Yangon-Mandalay railway link—a major attempt towards developing Myanmar’s railway transport infrastructure.

The rehabilitation contract for the 640km link will be given to Japanese companies because the study was funded by a grant from Japan, saidThura U Thaung Lwin, deputy minister in Myanmar’s rail transportation ministry.

Japan is also expected to provide a loan to fund the project.

In another development, the Myanmar government plans to set up manufacturing facilities for diesel locomotives and rolling stock such as coaches and wagons in the country by 2015 with China’s help.

“The twin facilities will be operational within three years. The tender has been completed and the contract will be awarded to a Chinese company,” U Thaung Lwin said in an interview. He didn’t name the Chinese firm.

These facilities will require an investment of $100 million. While 90% of the investment will be covered through the Chinese loan, 10% will be contributed from Myanmar’s annual budget. The diesel engines will be manufactured in Nay Pyi Taw, the Myanmar capital, and the coaches and wagons will be built in Mandalay.

Myanmar’s attempt to improve its creaky infrastructure hold out the promise of lucrative contracts for foreign companies as governments such as Japan try to leverage their aid and loan programmes to step up their economic engagement with the South-East Asian economy.

According to a report by consulting firm McKinsey and Co., Myanmar needs $650 billion of investment by 2030 to support economic growth. Of this, $320 billion is required in infrastructure.

Myanmar has a railway network length of 4,000km of tracks, with 926 stations and a fleet of 436 locomotives. The state-run system’s 412 trains lug 1,281 passenger coaches and 3,204 wagons.

Much of the railway network is old and in urgent need of modernization.

A planned Trans-Asian Railway link aims to connect the railway systems of 28 countries in Asia, and Europe.

There is also a plan to establish a rail link between India and Myanmar, which will join Jiribam, Assam in India with Kalay in Myanmar.

India is also a part of the road project that seeks to help establish connectivity from Moreh in India to Mae Sot in Thailand via Myanmar.

“Transporting by rail instead of truck from Myanmar to Shanghai would reduce the cost to four times that of sea freight compared with ten times,” said the McKinsey report.

“Our estimates of freight costs from Chennai to Shanghai via Myanmar by ship and by overland routes consist of the following elements: sea shipment from Chennai to Yangon at a rate of $0.003 per km per tonne, and land transport from Yangon to Shanghai by way of the Muse/Ruili border crossing at a rate of $0.05 for trucking and $0.02 for rail,” the report added.

Such connectivity will also help in the economic integration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), comprising Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Trade between India and Asean was $76.3 billion in 2012-13 and is expected to increase to $100 billion by 2015.

“In the initial period during the development of our country, the rail network will be developed within our country. Going ahead in future, when our economy is developed, we will link up to neighbouring countries such as India, China and Thailand,” U Thaung Lwin said.

India has been involved in strengthening Myanmar’s railway infrastructure. Of a $500 million credit line extended to the Myanmar government by India, $155 million has been earmarked for developing railway infrastructure.

In a related development, a survey team from state-owned RITES Ltd has already conducted a feasibility study for the 250km link between India and Myanmar.

“This will be followed by a detailed feasibility report that will indicate the investment required for this project. What I have heard is that on the India side the terrain is very mountainous, so first you have to search for an appropriate rail alignment,” U Thaung Lwin said.

“On our side, it is much easier as most of the area is plain. The project’s execution depends on the funding for it. While we will put some investments from our side, the main funding will have to come from India,” he added.

This comes in the backdrop of joint working groups set up by Myanmar and India to determine the technical and commercial feasibility of cross-border rail links and shipping links. State-owned Shipping Corporation of India Ltd has already completed a feasibility study on a liner between the two countries. According to the study, running this service would result in a yearly loss of Rs.28 crore.

Source_http://www.livemint.com

Written by ITW Editor · Filed Under Default

Airport Metro launches 30-trip pass, lowers cost of travel

June 5, 2013

PTI

%20%28Delhi%20Airport%20Express%20Metro%20today%20launched%20a%20new%2030-trip%20monthly%20pass%20for%20commuters%20which%20will%20reduce%20the%20fare%20by%20around%2033%20per%20cent%20compared%20to%20the%20single%20journey%20fare.%29

(Delhi Airport Express Metro today launched a new 30-trip monthly pass for commuters which will reduce the fare by around 33 per cent compared to the single journey fare)

NEW DELHI: Delhi Airport Express Metro on Friday launched a new 30-trip monthly pass for commuters which will reduce the fare by more than half compared to the single journey fare.

The new 30-trip monthly passes would cost between Rs 400 and Rs 2,000 for 30 trips, depending upon boarding and alighting stations of the passenger. The 30-day trip pass has been launched following complaints from commuters against the 45-day and 60-day passes and will reduce the fare per trip by 64 per cent.

“We had received feedback from commuters who were worried about trips getting wasted at the end of the month due to holidays, weekly-offs, vacations. So, we thought of the 30- trip monthly pass as a tool to counter all such worries,” a Delhi Airport Metro Express Pvt Ltd (DAMEPL) spokesperson said.

“The new 30 trip monthly pass would cost between Rs 400 to Rs 2000 for 30 trips, depending upon boarding and alighting stations of the passenger. Commuters can not only save on their overall monthly expense, but also minimise their trips wastage,” he said.

Apart from single journey tickets, DAMEPL offers various smart card options like stored value card and monthly passes for its valued customers.

Till date, monthly passes were available in the denominations of 45 trips and 60 trips. While a 45-trip pass costs between Rs 500 and Rs 2,500, a 60-trip pass is priced between Rs 600 to Rs 3000.

“Residents of Gurgaon, Mahipalpur, Vasant Kunj can use the metro to travel to and from New Delhi railway station from Aerocity Station in about 16 minutes,” the spokesperson said.

Source-http://economictimes.indiatimes.com

Written by ITW Editor · Filed Under Dehi

Metro heritage line to exhibit murals

June 5, 2013

Rumu Banerjee, TNN |

NEW DELHI: If history is your passion, travelling on Delhi Metro’s upcoming heritage line could be well worth the effort. Besides connecting several historical monuments, the stations on the line — Central Secretariat to Kashmere Gate —will also exhibit large murals, narratives and artwork of the neighbouring monuments that the line passes through. To begin with, Janpath Metro station will have murals and artwork inspired by Agrasen ki Baoli and Jantar Mantar.

“Delhi is an ancient city, with reminders of itsglorious heritage in the form of monuments and ruins all around. These places are often forgotten and lost in the rapid urbanization. Since the Janpath Metro station lies in the vicinity of the monuments like Jantar Mantar and Agrasen ki Baoli, we wanted to have a collage of various aspects of the structures in a colourful and graphical format,” said a senior Delhi Metro officer.

According to Delhi Metro officials, the murals and other artwork will be displayed in the connecting subways along the network as well. “There are several subways planned as part of the Metro station design along the heritage line. All the subways will have narratives and displays of the nearby monuments,” added the Delhi Metro official.

It’s not just the Janpath station that will have the murals or artwork. Other stations along the line will also exhibit unique and at times, modern takes on the historical monuments that are near the stations. For instance, the Red Fort Metro station will have entry and exit points that will be constructed to look like the neighbouring Mughal architecture. Similarly, the Jama Masjid station as well as the Delhi Gate stations will have distinctive murals, narratives.

The Delhi Metro will use the latest technology while putting up these graphic panels. “The specifications of the work includes an aluminium channel framing which provides the base for mounting panels on existing wall surfaces. Also, 26 gauge galvanized iron (GI)/MS sheets with colour ‘duco’ finish will be used,” added the official.

Incidentally, other Metro stations that have similar displays include Barakhamba, INA, Uttam Nagar and Welcome station. However, here the displays are different with various themes. The heritage line will be the first Metro corridor that will have a consistent artistic theme of historical buildings but with differing monuments in each station.

According to officials, with thousands of people visiting the Delhi Metro every day, stations can be a “very important vantage point for communicating ideas to the public”. “The large size and bold use of colours and modern abstract forms will also lighten up the walls of the stations,” added the official.

Written by ITW Editor · Filed Under Fun, Metro & Tourism, Miscellaneous

10 Metro stations will get space to walk, park

June 5, 2013

TNN |

NEW DELHI: With accessibility to Metro stations becoming a problem due to poor infrastructure outside the stations, Delhi Traffic Police, public works department and Delhi Metro have identified 10 Metro stations which need retrofitting. This will include segregated pedestrian walkways, auto routes, parking points .

Sources said the Metro stations include Central Secretariat, Malviya Nagar, Karol Bagh and GTB Nagar. Different civic agencies will be involved in it. “The main problem is that of accessibility.. Different road users need to have streamlined lanes,” said a source.

Source-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Written by ITW Editor · Filed Under Dehi, Metro Rail

DND repair from June 8 to affect traffic in Noida, Delhi

June 5, 2013

Aniruddha Ghosal, TNN |

NOIDA: Traffic on the DND flyway, the most vital link between Delhi and Noida, will slow down from June 8 due to its repair. The work is expected to last at least five weeks, depending on the onset of monsoon in the region, and has been divided into five stages, each focusing on a different part of the route.

Traffic police officials said it would be unrealistic to expect no traffic snarls. “Traffic will definitely be slow on the DND, especially during peak hours, affecting movement across Delhi and Noida. Almost 1 lakh vehicles use DND daily,” said a senior traffic police officer.

The work will resurface the entire flyway barring the Mayur Vihar link road which had already been repaired. After correcting the cracks, a layer of glass fabric will be applied on the road and after this a layer of bituminous concrete will be laid.

“Existing small cracks will be filled up while the larger cracks will be excavated and corrected. The glass fabric will prevent further cracks and reverse osmosis, the primary cause of cracks,” said Anwar Abbasi, spokesperson, Noida Toll Booth Company Limited.

Officials claimed that measures had been taken to help commuters. “We have hired an agency for traffic management and they will, along with our staff, ensure that traffic flow isn’t hampered. The work will take place throughout the day to ensure speedy completion of the project. During summer holidays, there’s also a 30% decline in vehicular movement,” said Abbasi.

The repair, which is being done after consultation with the Central Road Research Institute, has been divided into four 1.5km segments.

In the first phase, the stretch between Delhi and Noida will be repaired. The second stage will see simultaneous repairs of the Sarai Kale Khan ramp and the entry point to the DND from Maharani Bagh. In the third phase, the Yamuna Bridge-toll plaza stretch will be worked upon. In the fourth stage, the toll plaza-Noida corridor will be worked upon and finally repair will be done on the Yamuna bridge itself. Each stage will take approximately a week to finish.

Source-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Written by ITW Editor · Filed Under Uncategorized

Tariff jolt may hike Delhi Metro fare

June 5, 2013

Rumu Banerjee, TNN |

NEW DELHI: Commuting by Delhi Metro could get costlier if a proposal to hike the power tariff for Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is accepted. The proposal, which is still being examined by Delhi Regulatory Commission(DERC), comes after the discoms sought a hike in tariff. Delhi Metro, which made a case to DERC earlier last month, has clearly said in its presentation that any further increase in tariff cannot be absorbed by DMRC without an increase in the fare which, it admits, will burden commuters.

At present, Delhi Metro pays Rs 6.05 per unit, besides “fixed” charges. As part of the “time of day” (TOD) metering, DMRC also pays a higher tariff for using power at certain hours of the day, which are usually the peak hours.

Says Sharat Sharma, director (operations), at Delhi Metro: “The maximum energy usage by Delhi Metro is during the hours defined as peak by the discoms. The TOD tariff has resulted in an additional burden. Since Delhi Metro is a passenger service, we cannot curtail energy usage during peak commuter travelling hours.” According to Sharma, energy consumption in the past two years has been 41.34 per cent but the expenditure on power has gone up by 140 per cent during that time. “A further power tariff hike will have a detrimental impact on our operational costs. Already, power accounts for 40 per cent of our operational costs. If this goes up further, we will have to cut down on other services,” said Sharma.

Last year, DMRC had asked the Centre for a hike in fares, citing increasing operational costs. However, the committee on fare hike is yet to be set up. If a fare hike is not implemented now, Delhi Metro could be forced to look at a subsidy from the government to pay back its loans, say officials.

“The loan from JICA ( Japan International Cooperation Agency) is paid from the operational revenue collected by Delhi Metro at present. If this goes down, then subsidies would have to be considered to bail out Delhi Metro,” admits Sharma.

Adding to the DMRC’s woes is the talk of a reliability charge by the discoms. While the hikes proposed range from 1.61-20 per cent, the reliability charge is for supplying uninterrupted power, according to the proposal. This, says Delhi Metro, would be blatantly unfair.

“Reliability is a factor introduced through our systems which have been put in place. The fact is that in the financial year 2012-13, there were numerous instances of tripping, which resulted in a loss of power for 36 hours,” says Sharma. Interestingly, compared to UP and Haryana, Delhi power unit costs the most. Per unit prices in the neighbouring states are Rs 5 and Rs 5.60 per unit, respectively.

Source-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Written by ITW Editor · Filed Under Uncategorized

9,400 free passes issued in six months at Pimpalgaon toll plaza

June 5, 2013

NASHIK: The number of motorists who have taken a free pass through the Pimpalgaon toll plaza (around 30 km from Nashik city) on the widened 60-km stretch on the Mumbai-Agra national highway, has gone beyond 9,400 over the past six months.

The Pimpalgaon-Nashik-Gonde (PNG) Tollways, responsible for widening the highway, had expected only about 4,000 vehicles to take free rides through the toll plaza.

Officials of PNG Tollways said they have already issued 9,400 free passes and still counting. the process was still underway

They said that Pimplagaon was probably the only toll plaza in the state, or even the entire country, where such a large number of people had availed of the free passes.

The motorists who have availed free passes include owners of cars and light commercial vehicles like pick-up vans and other vehicles used for transporting agri produce. Meanwhile, the number of vehicles that have availed of the concessional passes is only 600.

The PNG Tollways, which undertook the work of road widening of the Pimpalgaon-Gonde stretch in October 2010, tried to start the toll-collection process in October 2012, on completion of 75% of the work. However, the political leaders and farmers of the Pimpalgaon area stalled the collection on various occasions, bringing up new issues every single time.

Initially, the agitators demanded full completion of the road work before the commencement of toll collection, followed by a claim for complete waiver of toll fee for residents within 20 km of the toll plaza. The agitators then demanded complete waiver for all taxis and vehicles of the state carrying agriculture produce.

Taking into account the frequent objections to the toll collections, the construction company cancelled the Rs 200 fee for motorists residing within the radius of 20 km of the toll plaza, followed by slashing of 75% of the fees for taxis and 50% for trucks registered within 20 km radius of the toll plaza.

However, the political leaders and other activists yet again stalled the toll collection on January 9. On the same day, the PNG lodged complaints against 200 agitators even as it gave in to their demands and once again stalled the process of toll collection.

Subsequently, in a meeting called by district guardian minister Chhagan Bhujbal, it was decided that the toll company would commence its operations, while the responsibility of providing security would rest with the district administration.

The toll collection thus resumed on January 22, in the midst of a thick bandobast provided by the rural police initially. Meanwhile, since the work of the flyover in Nashik is also over and will be thrown open to traffic anytime now, the PNG is likely to increase the toll fees by 60%. The staff, however, fears another agitation in the offing with the rise in the toll prices.

Written by ITW Editor · Filed Under Miscellaneous

NHAI rules out additional structures on highway

June 5, 2013

Santosh Sonawane, TNN |

NASHIK: The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has made it clear that new work on the stretch can be undertaken only during the operation and maintenance period as the project cost has exceeded its limit.
With freak accidents becoming frequent over the widened Mumbai-Agra national highway passing through the city, both commuters and residents along the highway come up with new demands in respect to the inconveniences faced by them.

At a recent review meeting conducted by district guardian minister Chhagan Bhujbal following the death of a youth died in an accident near the Indiranagar underpass, traffic police officials pointed out the necessity of underpasses in the K K Wagh College, B D Kamgar Nagar and Jatra Hotel areas. They also raised demands for facilities such as traffic signals, speed-breakers, cat eye reflectors and signboards to stop accidents in the future.

According to NHAI officials, the project has already exceeded the five per cent additional cost kept reserved for unplanned work done under the change of scope of a particular project. They made it clear that any additional work on the 60-km stretch, which includes a 5.7 km flyover, can only be undertaken during the operation and maintenance period.

The 60 km stretch from Gonde to Pimpalgaon has become “a rollercoaster ride”, with five flyovers from the city – the 5.71 km elevated corridor, the flyovers at Adgaon, Lekha Nagar, Pathardi Phata and Garware point, apart from two others outside the city near Ojhar, said NHAI officials.

Further, underpasses have been built at Indiranagar, Rane Nagar, Phalke Smarak, Vilholi, Raigad Nagar, Vadivarhe, Chinchkhed, Umbarkhed, Saykheda and Ojhar. These projects, along with the additional structures under the change of scope works, leave little chance for any new construction.

Sources from PNG Tollways said that underpasses at Chichkhed, Umbarkhed, Ojhar, Indiranagar, Vadivarhe and Vilholi have been taken up under the change of scope works.

While the issues of Vadi Varhe and Vilholi have been resolved and the Indiranagar underpass already done, Ojhar residents are also demanding a flyover, dissatisfied with twin underpasses. Similarly, residents of Pimpalgaon are also demanding a flyover at Chinchkhed, instead of an underpass. There have been protests at Ojhar and Pimpalgoan to emphasise these demands.

Source_http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Written by ITW Editor · Filed Under Uncategorized

No funds to award projects, NHAI says

June 5, 2013

Dipak Kumar Dash, TNN |

NEW DELHI: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has told the highway ministry that it won’t be able to award any project on toll mode during 2013-14 if the prevailing conditions don’t improve. In addition, it wants government to start awarding projects only when all conditions are fulfilled, and work can begin without delay.

Currently, private investment in highway sector comes for two types of projects – BOT (toll) and BOT (annuity). In the first instance, a private player recovers its investment from collecting toll, while for the latter government pays back the entire investment with interest in installments.

NHAI has informed the ministry that 33 projects — covering around 3,500km — awarded during the past two fiscals are yet to take off due to several reasons, including dearth of finance, equity, clearances and land availability. Moreover, 17 BOT (toll) and 3 BOT (annuity) projects did not get any response last year.

The Authority has submitted two targets. In the first case, unless things improve and government takes necessary steps, NHAI would end up awarding only 2,000 km of NH on engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) mode, where government pays the entire amount to private contractors.

In the second scenario, if the situation improves and finance is available for private players to take up work, NHAI can award around 4,000km – half of it on EPC, and the rest (50%) on BOT mode.

Planning Commission had asked NHAI and the ministry to submit two targets for the current fiscal after the Authority had pointed out how high target does not serve any purpose when government fails to resolve issues that impact execution of projects.

Source-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Written by ITW Editor · Filed Under Uncategorized

2nd Annual Roads & Highways, 28-29 October 2013, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

June 3, 2013

The marcus evans “2nd Annual Roads and Highways” will revolutionise innovative ideas by generating sustainable practices that is proven in the development of roads and highways around the world. In this year’s event, we will explore the experience and knowledge of government ministries and engineering professionals from across the globe to tackle the issue of road design, maintenance, Public Private Partnership (PPP), funding and road safety sectors. This highly interactive and information packed event will highlight global case studies from some of the finest and at the same time, delegates will learnt not just from the experts who have the on-the-job experience necessary to provide real insight, but also from peers via invaluable networking opportunities throughout.

This event is proudly supported by the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau.

Follow your own agenda with a choice of two streams over the 2 days:

Days 1 & 2

Stream I: Infrastructure Funding & PPPS

Stream II: Design, Development & Planning

http://roadsandhighwayslse.marcusevans.com/it

For further details and brochures, please contact:

Ms. Esther Wong

Tel No: 00 603 2723 6736
Fax No:00 603 2723 6699

Email add: [email protected]

Written by ITW Editor · Filed Under Default

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