The Hindu Patrika’s Post

The proposed ₹22 lakh crore #highwaydevelopment plan is an exciting step for the road sector. Faster, safer travel across #India is a welcome prospect. We at Infrastructure Advisors Private Limited believe the ambitious target of 18,000 km of new #expressways is truly futuristic. However, land acquisition remains a potential challenge, and #streamlining this is crucial. It's also important to consider the #project holistically including studying the impact of #newexpressways on existing highways, both positive and negative, this to ensure viability at holistic level. Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) to consider potential challenges during #construction, #environmental and social factors, along with #stakeholder engagement during #DPR preparation, are essential for #project success. With careful #planning and execution, this initiative has the potential to revolutionize India's #roadnetwork https://lnkd.in/dGswMUMa

The proposed ₹22 lakh crore #highway #development plan is an exciting step for the road sector. Faster, safer #travel across #India is a welcome prospect. Infrastructure Advisors Private Limited believes the #ambitious target of 18,000 km of new expressways is #futuristic. However, land acquisition is a potential #challenge, and streamlining it is crucial. It's #important to study the impact of new expressways on existing highways to ensure viability. #DPRs should consider challenges during #construction, #environmental and social factors, and stakeholder #engagement. With careful planning and execution, this initiative can revolutionize India's road network.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in India is a governmental body responsible for the formulation and administration of rules, regulations, and laws relating to road transport and highways. It plays a crucial role in the development, maintenance, and regulation of road infrastructure in the country. The ministry aims to create a robust and efficient transportation network to support economic growth and improve connectivity. ### Key Functions and Responsibilities of MoRTH: 1. **National Highways Development**: - Planning, construction, and maintenance of national highways. - Implementation of the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) and other significant road projects. 2. **Policy Formulation**: - Creating policies related to road transport and safety. - Regulating motor vehicle standards and emissions norms. 3. **Road Safety**: - Initiatives to reduce road accidents and fatalities. - Promotion of road safety awareness and implementation of safety measures. 4. **Vehicle Regulation**: - Oversight of vehicle registration, driver licensing, and enforcement of traffic regulations. - Formulation and implementation of laws related to motor vehicles, such as the Motor Vehicles Act. 5. **Public Transport**: - Promoting and improving public transportation systems. - Supporting state governments in enhancing urban and rural transport infrastructure. 6. **Infrastructure Projects**: - Development of expressways, bypasses, and ring roads. - Projects to improve road connectivity in remote and rural areas. 7. **Funding and Financing**: - Allocation of funds for road and highway projects. - Encouraging public-private partnerships (PPPs) for infrastructure development. 8. **Environmental Sustainability**: - Promoting green and sustainable practices in road construction and maintenance. - Implementation of measures to reduce the environmental impact of road transport. ### Current Minister and Ministry Structure: - The Ministry is headed by the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways. As of the latest update, Nitin Gadkari holds this position. - The ministry is divided into several departments and agencies that handle specific aspects of road transport and highway development. ### Key Initiatives and Programs: 1. **Bharatmala Pariyojana**: - A centrally-sponsored and funded road and highways project aimed at bridging critical infrastructure gaps. 2. **Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)**: - A rural road connectivity scheme aimed at providing all-weather road access to unconnected habitations. 3. **National Highway Authority of India (NHAI)**: - An autonomous agency responsible for the management and development of national highways. For detailed information about the ministry’s projects, policies, and updates, you can visit the [official website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways](https://morth.nic.in/).

𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗨𝗠𝗣𝗛𝗦: 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗡𝗡𝗔𝗜 𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗥𝗢 𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗟'𝗦 𝗨𝗡𝗪𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗣𝗔𝗧𝗛 𝗢𝗙 𝗣𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗧𝗛 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗕𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬 The Chennai Metro Rail Project, a joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Tamil Nadu, expresses its concern regarding the recently published report by IIT-Delhi and the Delhi-based think tank Infravision. While we value the scrutiny of public infrastructure projects, it is imperative to address certain inaccuracies and omissions present in the report. The primary objective of introducing the Metro Rail network in Chennai was to alleviate the mounting pressure on the urban transport system due to the rapid growth of the vehicular population. Limited possibilities for road widening within the city further necessitated the establishment of the Chennai Metro Rail Project. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Chennai Metro Rail Phase-I, prepared by M/s. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, projected an estimated ridership for the first year of operation of the entire network at 5.7 lakhs per day which was subsequently revised to the estimated ridership of 4.4 lakhs. The phased operationalization of the entire Phase-I (54 km) commenced in June 2015, covering various stages until February 2021. The network achieved a ridership of around 1.5 lakhs/day before COVID, and the current ridership stands at around 3.0 lakhs/day. The delay in integrating MRTS at St. Thomas Mount due to litigation relating to land acquisition, created a substantial gap in ridership, which is expected to be addressed when work by the Southern Railway to integrate MRTS gets completed this year. Chennai Metro Rail has consistently played a crucial role during critical situations such as the Michaung Cyclone in December 2023, the Varda Cyclone, and the severe flood in 2015, where it became the sole operational mode of transportation in Chennai. It served as a lifeline for the civic authorities providing relief and for citizens needing to vacate their residences and move to safer places, highlighting its pivotal role in ensuring public safety and mobility when no other public or private transportation was feasible. Chennai Metro Rail is the fourth-largest metro in India by network length, with initiatives in place to enhance the overall commuting experience for the public which include discounted parking fares, feeder services in collaboration with state bus transportation (MTC), and partnerships with private transport providers for last-mile connectivity to IT hubs and landmarks. Chennai Metro Rail remains dedicated to providing a reliable and efficient public transport system for the citizens of Chennai. We appreciate the continued support of the public and assure them of our commitment to further improvements and expansions in the future. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs

India is fast moving towards its goal of becoming the $5 trillion #economy in the world. #indianrailways #highways #roadways Ministry of Railways Ministry of Road Transport & Highways - India

First look: Railway Minister shares a video of Bullet train that will soon be operational!! Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw took to social media on Tuesday to unveil a sneak peek of the highly anticipated Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet train corridor. This revolutionary project promises to transform travel between the two bustling cities, slashing the journey time to a mere 2 hours for the 508-kilometre route. In a tweet, Minister Vaishnaw teased, "Stay tuned for #BulletTrain in Modi 3.0!", hinting at the government's commitment to advancing high-speed rail infrastructure under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. The video shared by the minister provides a glimpse into the futuristic features of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet train project, which boasts an impressive investment of Rs 1.08 lakh crore. Unprecedented speed: The Bullet train is set to reach a staggering maximum speed of 320 kilometers per hour, promising swift and efficient transportation for commuters. Innovative technology: The corridor will introduce a state-of-the-art slab track system, marking the first utilization of this advanced technology in India's railway network. This innovation ensures smoother rides and enhanced safety for passengers. Infrastructure marvels: The ambitious project includes the construction of 24 river bridges, 28 steel bridges, and seven mountain tunnels along the Bullet train route. These engineering marvels are essential for ensuring seamless connectivity and overcoming geographical obstacles. Undersea travel: Perhaps the most awe-inspiring feature of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet train corridor is the proposed 7-kilometer undersea tunnel. This groundbreaking tunnel will enable the train to traverse underwater, marking a significant milestone in India's transportation infrastructure.

New Delhi. The average speed of Vande Bharat trains has come down from 84.48 kmph in 2020-21 to 76.25 kmph in 2023-24. The Railway Ministry has given this information in response to an RTI question. Railway officials said that not only Vande Bharat but many other trains are also being run at cautious speeds in places where ‘large-scale infrastructure work’ is going on. A railway official said that ‘In addition, some Vande Bharat trains have been run in difficult areas, where high speed is prohibited due to geographical reasons or bad weather.’ Citing the example of the Vande Bharat train between Mumbai CSMT and Madgaon, a Central Railway Zone official said, “Most of the Konkan Railway is a ‘ghat’ section, where trains pass through low-altitude mountain ranges. This is a difficult terrain where increasing speed can pose a safety risk.” He said, “Things become very challenging during the monsoon season, when we have to keep the maximum speed of all trains at 75 kmph.” Bad railway tracks are a big reasonRTI applicant Chandrashekhar Gaur, a resident of Madhya Pradesh, said that ‘the data received through RTI shows that the average speed of Vande Bharat trains was 84.48 in 2020-21, which decreased to 81.38 kmph in 2022-23. In 2023-24, it got worse to 76.25.’ Vande Bharat, launched on February 15, 2019, is a semi-high speed train that can run at a maximum speed of 160 kmph. However, due to poor rail tracks, it cannot go more than 130 kmph anywhere in the country except the Delhi-Agra route. This railway line has been awaited for 28 years, work will be completed in 2 years, devotees of Char Dham will get a big gift Efforts to upgrade railway tracksAnother railway official said that ‘There are some tracks between Delhi and Agra which were developed in 2016 for India’s first semi-high speed train Gatiman Express, which will run at a speed of 160 kmph. Vande Bharat also runs at a speed of 160 kmph only on those tracks. At other places, its maximum speed is 130 or less.’ He said that the railways is upgrading the tracks to meet the speed requirements of Vande Bharat and due to these reasons, caution is being exercised at many places. Once these upgrades are completed, we will have trains whose speed will be up to 250 kmph. Tags: Vande Bharat, vande bharat train, Trains FIRST PUBLISHED : <!-- -->June 8, 2024, 10:21 IST

Work on NH-66 Edapally Zone going on in full swing 💚 AND The 17-km Edappally-Aroor NH 66 Bypass will get an elevated highway by May 2027, if everything goes according to plan ❤️ Land acquisition and tendering process for 6Lane national highway finished in Kerala. New bypass works have already been kick-started. Owing to higher density of population and high land value, national highway will be 45 meter width, 6 lane, in Kerala. Goa also will have a similar alignment. Karnataka and Maharashtra sections will have 60-meter width. The Maharashtra section will be converted into a flexible pavement (asphalt) road with four lanes. The detailed project report (DPR) for the structure that was awaited in December 2023 will be finalised in soon, it is learnt. It will be followed by tenders being invited and the bid being finalised soon after. The construction work will begin soon after, and vehicles will be diverted mainly through service roads, sources said. The elevated highway is crucial to ensuring six-lane width on the entire NH 66 that passes through the State, especially so since much of the Edappally-Aroor bypass has only four-lane width. The stretch has now got the much-needed attention since it has been included in the Bharatamala project. The NHAI will take a call on how best to integrate the elevated highway with flyovers at four major junctions on the NH bypass. The option of constructing it parallel to the flyovers, too will be probed, the sources added. A decision on widening junctions is expected to be taken based on the suggestions of the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC). The NHAI mulled an elevated highway as the Edappally-Aroor bypass is the busiest highway stretch in Kerala and is used by one lakh passenger car units (PCUs) every day. Widening the largely four-lane stretch by integrating the NH carriageway with service roads was cited as a tough proposition since both sides are heavily built up. But a decision was delayed even as work on an elevated highway began on the 13-km Aroor-Thuravur stretch in early 2023. Approximately 15% of its work is over, and it is expected to be thrown open to vehicles in 2026. This will result in influx of more number of vehicles from Aroor and also from the upcoming six-lane NH 66 corridor north of Edappally where the highway widening is expected to get over by 2025.

🚧 Government of India Official to Standardize Highway Contracts – A Game Changer for India's Infrastructure! 🚧 In a significant step towards enhancing clarity and efficiency in the development of highways across India, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Government of India Official is set to standardize national highway contracts. 🛣️ This landmark initiative aims to reduce the confusion and inconsistency that contractors often face due to frequent changes in regulations and specifications, which have historically led to delays and increased costs. Here are the key aspects of this new approach: One Comprehensive Document 📜: Contractors will now benefit from a clear, consolidated framework, eliminating the need to navigate multiple circulars. Flexibility for Specializations 🔧: The standardized document will support specialized work while establishing a unified baseline, fostering improved collaboration across the industry. Sustainability & Cost Efficiency 💡: This initiative not only streamlines processes but also promotes sustainability and cost-effectiveness in India’s road infrastructure. The road transport ministry is actively engaging with various stakeholders to incorporate valuable feedback, ensuring that these standards are future-proof. 🌍 Reflecting on MoRTH’s earlier successes with standardized specifications in bridge works, this latest initiative brings us closer to building world-class infrastructure. As we gear up for this transformative leap, it’s essential for contractors, engineers, and policymakers to stay informed and prepared for these changes. Together, let’s build the highways that pave the way for India’s future! 🇮🇳 #Infrastructure #Highways #IndiaDevelopment #MoRTH #Sustainability #ProjectManagement #Construction #CivilEngineering #RoadTransport

How will Highway Infrastructure Trust's acquisition impact India's road infrastructure efficiency? #highways #development #Infrastructure #India #Road National Highways Authority of India Click the link below for insights into India's highway monetisation success: https://lnkd.in/e4iuj7R8