Maha-Metro Showing the Way Forward

Maha-Metro Rail Corporation is setting up an example for quality, efficiency, and speed, by using globally tested digital technologies, latest construction equipment and methods, green initiatives, and skill development of its employees. Mr. Brijesh Dixit, Managing Director, Maha-Metro Rail Corporation, shares details of the ongoing Nagpur and Pune metro projects with Maria R.

How is the metro rail changing the urban transportation system in India?

Urbanization and vehicular growth are closely linked. In the developing countries, there has been tremendous growth of two and three wheelers with the increasing of city size. Movement of people and goods within city limits and from one city to another now has become a serious problem in the wake of rapid urbanization.

Growth of metropolitan cities in India has increased the share of urban population from 19% in 1955 to about 43% in 2011. This has led to increase in pollution, traffic congestion and resultant increase in travel time etc. Public transport system in urban areas therefore is of vital importance.

As part of NUTP (National Urban Transport Policy), the Government is promoting use of MRTS in cities with a population of 20 million and above, and has accorded approval to metro projects in mid-size cities like Nagpur, Pune, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Visakhapatnam and some others. MRTS will provide a convenient mode of transport for first and last mile connectivity along with the feeder buses, decongest the city roads, and reduce pollution and carbon footprint.

What progress have the Nagpur and Pune metros made, their total length and deadline for completion?

As of now, the physical progress of Nagpur is 42.06% and of Pune metro is 3.00 %.

What is the estimated cost of the projects and funding arrangement arrived at?

The total cost of the Nagpur project is Rs. 8,680 crore and of the Pune project it is Rs. 11,420 crore. The Nagpur Metro Rail Project is funded partially by the GoI and GoM through equity, SD and balance through ODA loan from KFW, Germany and AFD, France. For the Pune Metro Rail Project, apart from the contribution by GoI & GoM as equity / SD, and the balance fund will be from EIB and AFD, France.

What are the elevated and underground construction features of the Nagpur and Pune projects?

In-order to minimize public inconvenience, Maha metro is using precast structures for its elevated portion of the metro corridor. The components are being cast in yards and delivered to the construction sites, so that the road traffic is not affected. Where the road width is not sufficient to accommodate the elevated structure, or requires large displacement of people, or affects heritage structures, then the alignment is being taken underground, as in case of Pune Metro Project, in about five route Km. In the Nagpur metro, no portion of corridor is underground.

Further in case of steel structures for platform and steel roofing case are using PEB structures as much as possible to improve quality, time economy and site issues.

Further a unique feature o construction strategy at Nagpur & Pune Metro projects is that the viaducts are constructed continuously through the stations and station construction is being done independently so that they don’t affect each other’s progress and precious time is saved.

Since Metro stations are also being rated on green building standards, what are the sustainable features in these projects?

Maha-Metro believes that the project like MRTS which are expected to serve communities for more than 100 years should use natural resources such as wind, light, solar etc. Such measures will improve the Passenger comfort; reduce water and energy consumption, and carbon emissions over the years.

Nagpur Metro Rail Project is being planned, designed and implemented to be the Greenest Metro with many innovative and unique features. All stations, administrative buildings and depots have been planned and design to achieve Maximum Rating under Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). All the Green Norms of MRTS Green Building are being implemented and monitored. These include Energy & Water efficiency, Waste water management, Enhance Indoor Environment & Comfort, and 100% segregation of waste at source etc.

The project has various sustainable features which already initiated from its inception stage itself. More attention has been given to conserve resources like water and non-renewable energy. Up to 65% of power requirements during operational phase will be utilized from solar energy. The roofs of the platforms and station buildings will be completely covered by solar panels; water will be recycled to have zero pollution loads on public infrastructure by using DRDO based Bio-digesters. The recycled water will be used for flushing and gardening through dual plumbing system.

Maha-Metro has planted 5000 numbers of saplings at Ambazari area with survival rate of more than 90% at the Ambazari Lake in Nagpur area. The area has been named ‘Little Wood’ for people to enjoy a small forest in urban area. Maha-Metro also plans to plant saplings and trees in several parts of the city to enhance green surroundings. Due to plantation of trees, there will be reduction of CO2 100 ton per year. In addition we have experimentally started making green pillars, by way of ‘Verticle gardens ‘on a few piers at Nagpur to make concrete intervention in urban areas more pleasant and environmentally friendly and thus drawing very good appreciation from all stake holders.

What are the digital technologies being used by Maha-Metro to make construction of the metros safer, faster and qualitatively better?

In line with the global best practice, MAHA-METRO Rail Corporation has adopted digital platform comprising 5D BIM and ERP (which consists of four world class software’s (SAP, Bentley, PrimaveraP6 & RIB) to manage the project and mitigate challenges of time, quality, safety & cost overruns etc. BIM being the integral part of overall 5DBIM technology, the benefits of BIM is not only available during construction, but more significantly in the operation & maintenance phase of Metro Projects.

It effectively addresses the issues of documentation management of such a mega project which has lifecycle time of 75-80 Years which remains a weakness at present.

Nagpur Metro has also been first project in India to adopt the 5D BIM technology & one of the very few in the world to have integrated 3,4 and 5D by the way of integrating ERP with BIM and other world class software for project management.

This BIM platform enables the team of Nagpur Project to get the right information at the right time for efficient decision making. It also helps in effective coordination within the working Teams of contractors, DDC, GC & Nagpur Metro for faster and less erroneous work. This will help Nagpur metro to mitigate the risk of time & cost overruns and to complete the project in the budgeted time & cost.

How does Maha-Metro, along with its partners and contractors, ensure use of the latest construction equipment in its projects?

Speed, timely completion of work and good workmanship during execution is the need of the hour. Maha Metro encourages use the latest construction equipment for its projects. Since the machines can perform multiple tasks, are efficient, safe and sturdy, and incur less maintenance cost, they will also ensure timely completion of our projects. This will enhance durability, quality and functionality of our assets. Use of PEB and Precast technologies are examples of this.

Nagpur Metro Rail Project is being planned and designed to become the ‘greenest metro’ with many innovative features. It is also the first project in India to adopt the 5D BIM technology, and is one of the very few in the world to have integrated with ERP with BIM and other world-class software for project management

Getting trained manpower is a daunting task for metro project authorities...

Maha-Metro has recruited experienced manpower in the field of Metro Rail Organisation from other Metro Rail and Indian Railways on deputation/contract/regular basis, so that the work in all respects can be carried out efficiently. Maha-Metro provides its employees detailed training on the software and application called File Life Cycle Management System (FLM) under 5DBIM Platform. This not only helps in minimizing the paper work of the office, but also provides an efficient and speedy way to move files online, and we have digital a record in the computer system for ever.

What are Maha-Metro’s skill development / training initiative for its construction and engineering staff and for attracting new talent?

Maha-Metro Provides training on newly adopted 5D BIM technology. A unique initiative of Maha-Metro has been starting of BIM Academy at Nagpur from this very month (July’17) in collaboration with Bentley Institute of UK, where Bentley experts from UK are imparting the training. Our training also includes online file movement called File Life cycle Management System (FLM), Employee Self Service (ESS) & Manager Self Service (MSS) and System Application and Product (SAP) to each and every employee of Maha Metro.

In fact, training is provided to all levels of employees. Generally, the training is provided at the well-known Hyderabad Metro Rail Training Institute and at Delhi Metro Rail Training Institute.

Maha-Metro also provides specialised training in the field of Civil, Rolling Stock, Electrical, Signalling and Telecom, Train Operation Procurement, HR, and Finance, and we also encourage employees to attend workshops, seminars etc.The remuneration package offered by the organisation is comparable with DMRC and other Metro Rail Companies in India, which helps us to attract and retain talent.

Which important construction and engineering agencies are associated with the Maha-Metro projects?

Major Consultants is as follows

• General Consultants (M/s. Aecom, M/s. Rites, M/s. Egis, M/s. Systra)
• L&T Infra Engineering
• M/s. DMRC
• 5D BIM (M/s. Aurionpro Solutions, M/s. Highbar, M/s. Excelise)
  Major Civil Contractors are as follows
• Viaduct
  • M/s. NCC
  • M/s. AFCONS
  • M/s. ITDC
  • M/s. Pratibha Consortium
• Stations
  • M/s. ILFS
  • ITD Cementation
• Track Work
• Track Laying
  • M/s. Rahee Infra Structure
• Supply of Rails
  • M/s. Jindal steel & Power Limited
  • M/s. East Metal
• Supply of Accessories
  • Fastenings - M/s. Pendrol-Prt Consortium
  • Turnout - M/s. VosslohCogifer France Consortium
• Major System Contractors is as follows
• M/s. Sterling & Wilson Ltd, For Traction & Auxiliary Power Supply
• M/s. Sanbros Spares Pvt. Ltd, for 33kv bays, 33kv DP structures, metering cubicles, 25kv cables
• M/s. Sanbros Spares Pvt. Ltd, For Cable Tray on the walls of Priority Section, Nagpur MetroM/s. Siemens for Overhead Traction (Elevated Section)
• M/s. Bright Power Projects India Pvt. Ltd, for Overhead Traction (At-Grade Section)
• M/s. Siemens Rail Automation, S.A.U. For Signaling & Train Control System
• M/s. L &T for Telecom Systems
• M/s. CRRC for Rolling Stock
• M/s. State Bank of India consortium for Automatic Fare Collection (AFC)
• M/s. Option Sales Pvt. Ltd, consortium for Rooftop Solar Power
• M/s. Schindler India Pvt. Ltd, for Lifts & Escalators.