Delhi Metro, Delhi Tourism to promote tourism

July 31, 2013

New Delhi: Delhi Metro and Delhi Tourism Wednesday signed a pact to jointly promote tourism in the capital.

Both will help and facilitate each other to provide tourist friendly information, a Delhi Metro statement said.

Delhi Metro will identify five metro stations where Delhi Tourism will open information counters. The first of them will be at Dwarka.

IANS

Source -http://zeenews.india.com/

Written by ITW Editor · Filed Under Metro Rail

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, IGIA

Busiest Metro stations to get traffic police help

May 28, 2013

Hindustan Times (Delhi) / Subhendu Ray

NEW DELHI: Chaos outside Delhi Metro stations might soon become a thing of the past. Now, traffic police who would be posted outside the city’s busiest Metro stations willhelp you catch that rickshaw or autorickshaw for your onward journey.

To deal with the growing problem of congestion outside Metro stations, created by autorickshaws, rickshaws, cars and buses that throng the station’s entry/exit points to pick up or drop commuters, Delhi traffic police have decided to deploy its personnel outside selectstations that see high footfalls. They will be tasked with regulating traffic to facilitate the movement of commuters.

“We have selected 45 such stations including 12 in south Delhi,” said a senior trafficpolice officer, adding that a deployment plan is being prepared.

The plan is to improve traffic flow near Metro stations and also ensure last mile-connectivity.

Delhi traffic police recently held a meeting with the officers of security cell and operations cell to discuss the proposal, said Anuj Dayal, the chief spokesperson of DMRC. Some of thestations where deployment would be made include Rajiv Chowk, Kashmere Gate, Vishwavidyalaya and Central Secretariat.

Source-http://paper.hindustantimes.com

Written by ITW Editor · Filed Under Delhi, DMRC

All metro stations to have quick reaction teams, control rooms

May 23, 2013

Hindustan Times (Delhi) Faizan Haidar

To improve the response time and overall security in Delhi Metro, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will now have Quick Reaction Teams (QRT) at every station. Control rooms will also be set up at all stations for better monitoring of passengers and keeping track of suspicious items.

As per the current security structure, there is one QRT with commandos at every three stations and a control room at important stations. “Metro is a sensitive installation and we need to be on our toes all the time. QRTs at every station will reduce the reaction time during an emergency. The QRTs will be stationed outside the metro station and commandos posted will be trained to tackle any emergency,” a senior CISF official said. Over 20 lakh commuters travel by Delhi Metro and to track suspicious passengers, CISF staff monitor live CCTV feed from the control room. But control rooms are not present at every station, sometimes this delays the response time.

“In case a passenger forgets his/her baggage or any suspicious passenger is located, the person sitting in the control room can immediately direct someone to swing into action. The purpose is to make every passenger boarding the metro feel safe,” the official added.

The CISF has deployed nearly 5000 personnel for the security of metro stations. CISF conducts audits to identify the most sensitive stations and accordingly the deployment was planned. “There is always a requirement for additional personnel,” he further added.

Source-http://paper.hindustantimes.com

Written by ITW Editor · Filed Under Delhi, DMRC, Metro Rail

Airport Metro introduces discounts

May 21, 2013

Hindustan Times New Delhi,

Reliance Infrastructure Limited, through its subsidiary, Delhi Airport Metro Express Private Limited (DAMEPL), has introduced special discounted fares for families and groups of two or more travelling on the Airport metro — which connects New Delhi with Dwarka via IGI Airport.

Starting Tuesday, the discount scheme will be available at all six stations on the 22.7km corridor.

This discounted “family fare” scheme would benefit commuters by making their travel cost effective. The existing maximum fare is Rs. 180 and minimum is Rs. 35.

As per the ‘family fare’ structure, a group of four commuters will now pay only R400 for maximum travel (New Delhi-Dwarka) and save Rs. 320.

http://www.hindustantimes.com

Written by ITW Editor · Filed Under IGIA, Metro Rail

Cleaner stations soon, thanks to high ridership

May 17, 2013

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi : Increasing ridership has prompted the Delhi Metro to go for improved maintenance and housekeeping at its stations. On Sunday, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation announced that it would be introducing new equipment for cleaning its entire network of stations. The official added that hi-tech machines and formal training would be provided to housekeeping staff of Delhi Metro to ensure that tidiness on the premises matches international standards.

WORLD-CLASS: A shot of Udyog Bhawan Metro station

Delhi Metro has a reputation for being one of the few public spaces in the city that is kept clean despite a substantial ridership of over 21 lakh commuters every day. Commuters can now expect even better, as new machines and special training for staff is being planned. The Delhi Metro spokesman said that DMRC would introduce new equipment for cleaning its premises, and supervisors and cleaning teams deputed at stations and maintenance depots will receive training by the British Institute of Cleaning Sciences at Gurgaon (National Capital Region). “In order to maintain world class cleanliness standards at Metro stations and surroundings, we have decided to re-work its cleaning and housekeeping practices by using advanced and hi-tech machines and we are conducting specialized training programme for our staff,” the spokesman said.

Electrically-operated

scrubber drier, backpack vacuum cleaners, disposal of waste in bio-degradable garbage disposal bags in a hygienic manner, and the use of eco-friendly cleaning chemicals and reagents are all part of the new cleaning regimen. Currently, Metro deploys around 3,500 housekeeping personnel at its 137 stations, working three shifts of eight hours each.

“On an average, 20-25 persons are deployed per station to keep the stations clean. The overall cleaning and housekeeping activities cost around Rs 5 crore per month,” the Delhi Metro official added.

Source-http://epaper.timesofindia.com

Written by ITW Editor · Filed Under Delhi, Metro Rail

Metro stations: New frisking booths for women

May 14, 2013

14th May,2013. Hindustan Times (Delhi)

Faizan Haider

NEW DELHI: Amid complaints of privacy by women commuters in Delhi Metro, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has finalised new frisking booths, which will be placed at Metro stations across the National Capital Region (NCR). CISF, which is responsible for the security of Metro stations, has suggested structural changes in the existing frisking booths to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). DMRC will be procuring these booths after the tendering process.

One of the major complaints of women commuters was people watching them when they were getting frisked.The new booths will be covered with curtains at the entry point and the remaining part will be covered with walls made of fibre. If required, these booths can be shifted from one location to another.

RAJESH KUMAR/HT PHOTO

We have been receiving complaints from women passengers for quite some time. One of the issues they had was people watching them when they were getting frisked. At many stations, there are temporary frisking booths and we have asked the DMRC to replace them,” said a senior CISF official, requesting anonymity.

“At a few stations there is not much space but we are working it out. Now every Metro station will have a booth of similar design unlike the current plan where they have separate booths for separate stations,” he added. Another issue, which was also raised by women commuters, was about their baggage getting stolen while they were being frisked. This too has been addressed.

The booths will have a gap at a place from where women can see their bags getting scanned. “Once the booths are installed, we will change the location of the baggage scanner. The space will be at the eye level and either at the right or left side wall of the booth. We hope women passengers will not have any other issues once the new booths are installed,” the CISF official added.

According to CISF, 50 per cent of Metro stations have this problem where frisking and screening of women passengers and their baggage are done at separate points. Over 20 lakh commuters travel by the Delhi Metro every day and 40 per cent of them are women..

http://paper.hindustantimes.com

Written by ITW Editor · Filed Under Dehi, Metro Rail

Work on four Noida Metro projects likely to begin in May NCERT books to impart lessons in road safety

April 2, 2013

According to sources, Noida authority officials are working hard to complete all the paper work related to the proposed Metro links — a 3.9-km route between Kalindi Kunj and Botanical Garden, the 6.7-km City Centre-Sector 62 link, 30-km City Centre-Bodaki (Greater Noida) line and 7-km Sector 71-Greater Noida West link — by the end of April.Authority officials said Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav will inaugurate infrastructure projects worth R10,000 crore, which include the proposed Metro links and three bridges over the Yamuna, in the first week of May.

“Before the inauguration in May, the Noida authority will complete formalities of memorandum of understanding (MoU) to be signed with DMRC for the Kalindi Kunj-Botanical Garden link. We have sent the file to the urban development ministry for approval,” said a senior authority official.

The detailed project report (DPR) of the City CentreSector 62 route has already been approved by the Noida authority. “An MoU will be signed soon. The authority is also likely to approve the DPRs of two proposed routes — City Centre-Greater Noida’s Bodaki and Sector 71-Greater Noida West,” said the official.

Officials said the chief minister would inaugurate three proposed bridges across the Yamuna — one near Okhla Barrage and one each in sectors 150 and 168 to connect the city with Faridabad.

Soon, students of middle and secondary classes will get lessons in road safety and rules. Taking a leaf out of the books of developed countries such as the US and UK, the road transport and highway ministry has decided to incorporate chapters on road safety in the Central Board of Secondary Education curriculum.

The curriculum drafts have been prepared and the chapters will be included in the academic year 2014, said Sanjay Bandopadhyay, joint secretary of the ministry. “We have sent the drafts to the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) for evaluation,” said Bandopadhyay.

According to ministry sources, a chapter on road safety will be included in four subjects — Social Science, Hindi, English and Maths for classes VI to X.

The Internationali l Road d Federation (IRF) and Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE) have prepared the draft curriculum with help from a group of school teachers across seseveralerall schools in DelhiDelhi. Sources said the draft committee may take inputs from the Delhi traffic police, if required.

“We have hired a team of experienced teachers from different Delhi schools as well as illustrators to design the chapters coupled with graphics and exercises. Once the ministry gives its approval, these chapters will be integrated into the existing curriculum,” said KK Kapila, chairman, IRF.

The Delhi traffic police have appreciated this initiative. “This is a wonderful initiative for road safety and will provide education for life to future road users,” said Anil Shukla, additional commissioner of police (traffic).

The chapters will edify students on how to cross a street safely and correctly and will also comprise lessons on understanding traffic signs, highway codes, road norms, traffic hazards and safety on roads among others.

http://paper.hindustantimes.com

Written by ITW Editor · Filed Under Dehi, Infrastructure, ITS

Nine infrastructure firms in customs net

March 3, 2008

Gammon India, Punj Lloyd, Era among those being investigated for diverting tax-exempt equipment for pvt work

The central intelligence unit of Indian customs here has launched a series of cases alleging import duty evasion by nine infrastructure firms, including well-known names in the field such as Punj Lloyd Ltd, Era Constructions (India) Ltd and Gammon India Ltd.

The companies are alleged to have diverted construction machinery, imported without customs duty specifically for projects financed by the United Nations, other international aid organizations and approved by the government, to private projects, thus evading customs duty.

The money involved in the case is not large in itself, but the development is significant since these firms are involved in construction of roads for projects approved by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and aided by the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and the UN.

Under the Customs Act 1962, equipment imported into India for completion of infrastructure projects financed by the UN or an international organization and approved by the government is exempt from customs duty. The firms had imported machinery, such as piling rigs for construction of roads, and had availed the exemption.

Core of the problem

“We have already booked cases against nine firms and have recovered over Rs12 crore against such illegal import of piling rigs,” said R.K. Mahajan, commissioner (general) of customs, Mumbai.

Apart from Punj Lloyd, Era Constructions and Gammon India, the list of companies provided by the customs includes Afcon Infrastructure Ltd, Ircon International Ltd, Meher Foundation and Civil Engineers Pvt. Ltd, Villayati Ram Mittal Pvt. Ltd (New Delhi), Vijay M Mistry Construction Pvt. Ltd and Maytas Infra Pvt. Ltd.

Each piling rig costs around Rs4 crore and attracts close to Rs1 crore import duty.

“We have also seized piling rigs worth Rs8.25 crore,” Mahajan said. According to him, these companies have evaded customs duty of at least Rs20 crore and the amount could be even more as the investigation is not yet complete.

The infrastructure projects are spread across India. For instance, Punj Lloyd, one of the largest engineering and construction firms engaged in infrastructure projects, had imported piling rigs for its two NHAI-approved projects in Assam, but, according to the customs intelligence unit, these rigs were diverted to New Delhi.

“The company had rented out one of the machines to Delhi Metro Rail Corp. Ltd,” claimed a senior officer of customs who did not wish to be named.

However, the firm admitted it has been “summoned by the central intelligence unit, Mumbai customs, seeking certain clarifications/information pertaining to import of hydraulic operated self-propelled piling rig along with accessories,” imported by it under customs duty exemption scheme.

“Unfortunately, by the time such rig, along with its accessories, touched the boundaries of India it was realized that the said rig etc. could not be optimally utilized at the Guwahati to Nalbari Section of NH31 in Assam project due to non- availability of work… Since the machinery so imported was worth crores of rupees and keeping it idle would not only result in decaying and deterioration but also have an adverse financial impact…the company deemed it prudent to deploy the same to some other appropriate site,” the company wrote in its email.

It admitted that the rig was deployed at the DMRC project “which included construction of roads.” Stating that “by utilizing the…rig at the DMRC project we were in a position to keep the same in running condition,” the company said in its email that the rigs would be used at the Assam project “the moment we receive a green signal…from NHAI.”

“We believe we have acted within the intent and framework of the customs notification and the undertaking and there is no violation of any nature whatsoever and your source on information about the tax evasion on our part is unfounded and baseless,” the email went on to say.

The New Delhi-based Era Constructions, now known as Era Infra Engineering Ltd, was awarded two contracts for construction of roads in Chhattisgarh. However, according to the customs, the machinery was allegedly rerouted to other parts of India. “During the investigation, one of the machines was found at the NTPC Ltd’s site in Dadri in Uttar Pradesh. The other was found in Haryana,” Mahajan said.

Era Infra’s vice-president (commercial) Anil Bhasin said the firm had paid customs duty and interest for the equipment, which was shifted to other nationally important projects of government and public sector undertakings. According to him, the company diverted a few equipment that were not required at the assigned projects to other sites. It actually wanted to return these equipment, but could not do so as there was no provision to return such equipment. “The customs duty for such equipment was paid,” insisted Bhasin.

Gammon India, a Mumbai-based construction firm, according to Mahajan, has violated the rules by diverting machinery to another location for private use. However, he declined to disclose the location where the equipment was transferred and said the case was under investigation.

Gammon India, too, denied being involved in customs duty evasion. “There may be a possibility that some construction companies who have imported equipment under such exemptions could have utilized the same for projects other than for which such exemptions are applicable like, real estate, housing projects, shopping malls, etc. To clarify your doubts, Gammon does not undertake real estate/housing projects which could have been a potential misuse as per your concern. In fact, central intelligence unit had enquired about the utilization from all the importers who had imported equipment under the above exemptions,” said Umakant Tiwari, assistant general manager (procurement), Gammon India, in an email response.

Source: livemint.com

Written by ITW Editor · Filed Under BOT, Construction, Delhi, Infrastructure, Investment and Finance, NHAI

Noida – a Paradise for Abode & Personnel

November 12, 2007

New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (Noida) is known to be the largest industrial town of Asia, but now it has undergone a paradigm shift in the last few years. The real estate in Noida is hitting the sky, which is due to a large migration of people from Delhi who are being bullish to make it their home. As a part of Uttar Pradesh, Noida cannot remain untouched by the problems prevailing in the state. Despite all, the individuals who have shifted their base to Noida witness to live a splendid life. And today with one more reason for all the real estate players in Noida is none other than the proposed second international airport at Greater Noida. The development is likely to give a push to prices of residential and commercial property projects in twin cities of Noida and Greater Noida.

Noida certainly benefits from the relative proximity to Delhi. Excellent network of roads, 100 per cent power back up make up for a good idea to stay here. Also, Noida is attracting large interests from young well to do professionals who are making the highest income tax paying district in UP. Even many prominent names in both domestic and international hospitality sector are to initiate exclusive five-star hotel projects in Greater Noida. The list includes Unitech, Carlson, ITC, Bharat Hotels, and NRI hotelier Sant Chatwal. To be located in the close proximity to the proposed international airport, these commercial establishments will enjoy an added advantage.

According to Mr. M L Sehjpal, Director of Pearls Infrastructure Projects Limited, “Noida has developed into the land of opportunities. Property demand has sky rocketed here. Housing opportunities are in great demand as are commercial spaces. Moreover, the demand for residential property in Noida and Greater Noida is likely to shoot up in very near future, feels industry watchers. In the wake of better infrastructure facilities, Greater Noida already gains preference over Gurgaon. A direct metro link with Delhi and the Expressway will further improve accessibility of Noida.”

As conglomerates, Indian corporate is scouting for commercial spaces; NOIDA is emerging as a preferred IT & ITES destination of India. Real estate developers in Noida in their bid to lure investors are coming up with state-of-the-art office spaces as per international standards. Mr. Harjeet singh Arora, MD, Best Groups, “There is an excellent potential in India and abroad as there is a lot of movement in corporate circles as India’s large, educated middle class has made its name in the field of software and IT-enabled services, thereby fuelling demand for about 40 million square feet annually in IT and ITES office space. With the sudden jump in demand for space, the real sector is witnessing a huge charn.” Best is also coming up with an IT Park in Greater Noida.

Futuristic Plan of Noida

Plans are to set up a multipurpose SEZ (Special Economic Zone) spread on 2,500 acres of land along the Expressway envisioned to be categorically divided into industrial, residential, recreation, commercial and facilities. Within this plan, 600-1000 acres of land has been earmarked for handicrafts related SEZ. The much-awaited Noida City Center between sectors 25A and 32 is also a futuristic offspring of this plan.

Noida authority is looking forward to set up a medical city on a spread of 50+ acre of land along the expressway to be named Arogya Dham. This medical city shall be a congregation of super-specialty hospitals with world – class facilities and matching commercial complex, attendant’s homes and plenty of open space thanks to wide roads, parks and green cover.

The Botanic Garden of Indian Republic (BGIR) is being set up on a spread of 200 acres in sector 38A to conserve the endangered plants of the country and showcase its near extinction plan diversity.